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The Dubai Health Authority Discusses Strategic Partnership For Genome Project |
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The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) held strategic partnership discussions with Illumina, a leading company in genome technologies, in an important step towards implementing the ambitious Genome Project, which aims to reach the highest levels of health care and disease prevention, through gene surveying. . ‘Genome’ uses gene scanning to detect changes in the genes, chromosomes, and proteins that can lead to genetic diseases, allowing researchers to prevent and eradicate chronic diseases and cancer. It can also reduce the financial burden of treating chronic diseases, in addition to slowing down the ageing process. His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of the DHA received Paul Johns, the Director of Population Genomics at Illumina, which has established Genome Labs in the UK and countries around the world. The DHA, in the presence of Dr Manal Taryam, CEO of Primary Health Care Sector and Mai Al Doussari, the coordinator of 10X, shared the implementation plan of the Genome project and its expected outcomes, which ultimately revolve around exterminating chronical and genetic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and obesity. The project’s timetable extends over 24 months, during which we will samples will be collected to analyize DNA sequences, and recording the results in the data bank. The following phase involves automated learning and artificial intelligence to issue reports that support research, forecast future disorders and epidemics, and plan preventive measures. Al Qutami said that, “forming genome laboratories in Dubai signals a new phase, where our forecasts for the future of the health and medical services sector begin to materialise. The labs will establish the first national genetic database for future research, lending support to decision-makers as they set plans and strategies for the future of the health care sector. This, in turn, ensures Dubai’s global competitiveness and strengthens the knowledge economy.” He added that “When His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai 10X initiative and directed Dubai Government bodies to apply today what other cities will implement 10 years from now, he effectively reinvented government operations, steering them away from repetitive everyday tasks, and towards future successes and sustainable development. The DHA is dedicating resources to implement Genome, mandating a number of its affiliate organizations to carry out its execution, such as the Department of Pathology and Genetics, and the Dubai Cord Blood and Research Centre, among others. It has also formed a committee of genetics experts, benefited from prominent international studies and experiments, and outlined potential challenges and solutions to overcome them. Johns on the other hand said Illumina is keen on collaborating with the authority in the next phase stressing that the authority has the capabilities to succeed in its project and become a leader in genomes. He added that Illumina is watching closely the developments that the health field in Dubai is undergoing and hopes to establish a partnership between the authority and Genomics England. |
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