Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed chairs Emirates Genome Council meeting
14 Mar 2025 21:11
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has chaired the meeting of the Emirates Genome Council.During the meeting, the board discussed plans to prioritise precision medicine initiatives that leverage genomic data to actively enhance public health outcomes for the UAE population, advance the efficiency of the UAE healthcare system, drive economic and industry growth, and further establish the UAE as a global hub for precision medicine through the advancement of R&D.His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed reaffirmed that the UAE leadership is committed to further advancing the health and wellbeing of the community and emphasised the importance of research and development in the fields of longevity, precision medicine and preventative care in enhancing public health.His Highness praised efforts to further advance the UAE as a leader at the forefront of global genomic research and application that prioritises health outcomes and enhances quality of life.
New population screening programmes During the meeting, His Highness endorsed new population screening programmes that expand the utilisation of genomic data and accelerate genome-driven personalised healthcare in the UAE. The programmes include newborn genetic screenings, enhanced screenings of adult participants in the Emirati Genome Program, provision of personalised fertility programmes, and cardiovascular genetic screening.The newborn genetic screening programme will assess genetic conditions with available treatments and early intervention options for infants, assessing 733 genes to test for more than 800 conditions.Population disease screenings, for adults participating in the Emirati Genome Program, aim to further identify actionable and relevant conditions for UAE Nationals, by assessing 94 genes linked to more than 50 genetic conditions.The personalised fertility programme assesses 186 genes linked to more than 130 genetic conditions, to provide personalised medicine recommendations and treatments for couples.Cardiovascular screenings will provide genetic diagnosis and treatment, as well as early prevention, for cardiovascular related conditions through the assessment of more than 800 genes linked to more than 100 genetic conditions.
T2T Emirati Reference Genome study His Highness was briefed on the completion of the landmark Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Emirati Reference Genome study aimed at advancing precision medicine for communities in the UAE. The study, by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Khalifa University and M42, bridges critical gaps in genomic data and provides a vital resource that enhances the ability to compare with other reference genomes, supporting the advancement of disease research, pharmacogenomics and the development of Emirati-specific targeted therapies.
Premarital Genetic Screening Programme updateHis Highness was also briefed on the progress of the Premarital Genetic Screening Programme, which was nationally implemented from January 1, 2025 by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, in collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Emirates Heath Services, Dubai Health Authority, and strategic partners. To date, it has supported 2,428 couples, finding more than 92 per cent genetically compatible through comprehensive genetic screening of 570 genes linked to more than 840 genetic disorders. Couples who required additional support were provided personalised genetic counselling to assess and diagnose risk factors and offer potential solutions to support family planning decisions.The programme aims to safeguard community members from hereditary diseases and empower couples to utilise genetic data to make informed decisions in family planning, preserving the health and wellbeing of community members and ensuring a healthier future for generations to come.
Emirati Genome Program progressHis Highness was also updated on the progress of the Emirati Genome Program, which has collected more than 700,000 genetic samples from citizens across the nation, marking significant progress towards the overall target of 1 million. In addition, the Emirati Genome Program has completed the collection of 100,000 samples from participants from different nationalities for a new initiative that leverages the UAE's advanced genomic capabilities. The project, in collaboration with M42, helps reduce gaps in genomic data globally by providing insights into genetic mutations affecting over 2.5 billion people across different ethnicities, with the aim to drive further collaboration on precision medicine research and solutions.The Emirati Genome Program is a key project under the National Genome Strategy and will support the transformation of healthcare services in the UAE by providing high-quality genetic data that enables researchers, physicians and scientists to identify the causes of genetic diseases, understand the type of genetic mutations, anticipate susceptibility to some diseases, and develop effective personalised healthcare plans.
The meeting was attended by His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Her Excellency Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education; His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; His Excellency Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi; His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; His Excellency Dr Amer Ahmed Al-Sharif, the CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences; and His Excellency Dr Yousif Mohammed Al-Serkal, Director-General of Emirates Health Services.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
15 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Global paediatric, orthopaedic experts to offer treatment, consultation in Abu Dhabi this month
9 June 2025 22:01 SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ALETIHAD)A trio of global experts in paediatrics and a top orthopaedic surgeon are offering care and consultations in Abu Dhabi this month, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has doctors are headed to the emirate as part of the DoH's Visiting Physicians Programme, which aims to extend advanced healthcare services to residents.'The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi welcomes top-tier doctors from around the world to the Emirate during June, offering exceptional healthcare services through the Visiting Physicians Programme,' the DoH - Abu Dhabi's health regulator - announced in a post on its social media platforms. Visiting Physicians: June (From left to right) Dr. Kaveh Asadi, Dr. Matthew Dobbs, and Professor Oliver Berborgt are offering care in Abu Dhabi this June Dr. Kaveh Asadi, paediatric neurosurgery consultant at St Mary Hospital, Paley Institute in Florida, US, is one of the eminent doctors who will see patients in Abu Dhabi. He will be available at Burjeel Medical City's Paley Middle East Centre between June 9-13, and also on June 23. Dr. Asadi specialises in selective dorsal rhizotomy for the treatment of cerebral palsy, intra dural tumour treatment, craniofacial surgery, and tethered cord Matthew Dobbs, paediatric orthopaedic consultant at St. Mary Hospital in the US, will also join Dr. Asadi at the Burjeel Medical City between June 9-13. Dr. Dobbs' areas of specialisation include the treatment of congenital and developmental foot, lower extremity deformities, flatfoot deformities, cerebral palsy spasticity, and Oliver Verborgt, head of services for orthopaedics at Belgium's Monica Hospital, will also offer his expert care at the Tarmeem Hospital in Abu Dhabi on June 27 and 28. Prof Verborgt specialises in shoulder and elbow surgeries and reconstruction, and in the management of sports-related DoH has urged patients to directly contact the respective hospitals to book appointments. Earlier this month, Dr. Annique Hogan, an award-winning physician and paediatrician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, also saw patients at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, sharing her expert advice on the care of children with complex medical needs. Complex Care Close to Home The DoH's Visiting Physicians Programme breaks new ground every month, ensuring care for complex medical conditions within Abu Dhabi. Since its launch in 2021, the programme has partnered with leading global health institutions to offer treatment and surgeries for patients in the region while eliminating the need for them to travel of December 2024, a total of 3,277 patients with rare and complex medical conditions had received care in Abu Dhabi as part of the to the DoH, the top five specialties in which visiting physicians offer care include paediatric haematology for bone marrow transplants; plastic surgery for lymphedema and brachial plexus; adult orthopaedic surgeries for complex ankle, foot, shoulder, hand and scoliosis; paediatric orthopaedic care for limb lengthening and limb deformities; and ophthalmology. The programme has also allowed for knowledge transfer, the enhancement of local healthcare expertise and post-surgical rehabilitation care, and the improvement of health outcomes throughout Abu Dhabi. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Ministry of Family, 'Zayed Higher Organisation' expand scope of collaboration
9 June 2025 12:48 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Ministry of Family and Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) have announced a joint initiative to develop an innovative and integrated service system tailored to the needs and aspirations of People of initiative aligns with the UAE's strategic direction to strengthen government collaboration in delivering comprehensive services, enhancing quality of life, and promoting social inclusion for People of initiative includes the issuance of a single unified card, recognised at both federal and local levels, to facilitate access to various services by January this collaboration, both parties commit to aligning legislations and regulations, and to the full implementation of the Unified National Disability also pledge to unify standards for diagnosis and assessment and to accept applications for the People of Determination card for residents of Abu Dhabi through Zayed Higher joint training programmes will be coordinated, and expertise and knowledge will be exchanged to enhance the capabilities of national professionals in this Undersecretary for the Development Sector at the Ministry of Family, Hessa Abdulrahman Tahlak, emphasised that this partnership reflects the government's ongoing commitment to enhancing the role of People of Determination in the UAE community. It directly translates the vision of the wise leadership, which has consistently prioritised this said, 'We see People of Determination as a cornerstone of our social fabric, fully entitled to their rights and eager to contribute meaningfully to their country's development. This collaboration with Zayed Higher Organisation is an extension of the UAE's approach, which has turned inclusive support from a slogan into a living reality.'"We are not merely providing services, we are building a humane and social system where difference becomes a driver for excellence and challenges, a gateway to opportunities. Guided by our leadership, every effort in this path aims to affirm the role of everyone among People of Determination as an active and influential contributor to society, receiving the respect, care, and full support they deserve throughout their lives.'Secretary-General of ZHO, Abdullah Al Humaidan, affirmed the importance of the collaboration with the Ministry of Family, describing it as a strategic step toward improving and unifying services for People of Determination through integration that enhances access, strengthens diagnosis mechanisms, develops training programmes, and fosters institutional also highlighted the adoption of technology and digital integration to raise service efficiency and ensure the full inclusion of People of said, 'We believe that creating an inclusive environment for People of Determination starts with effective institutional cooperation. This partnership represents an integrated model that seeks to unify efforts and deliver services that meet the aspirations of People of Determination throughout the country.'He added that Zayed Higher Organisation's commitment to providing equal, high-quality services reflects its vision of empowering these groups and enabling their full participation in entities are working to enhance the protection of rights for People of Determination, unify responses to inquiries through various communication channels, and ensure the Organisation's participation in relevant local and international events. They also commit to conducting benchmarking of systems, working hours, and needs of People of Determination, as well as exchanging the best local and global technological solutions such as data-sharing networks and the expansion of smart application use will be cooperation also aims to develop curricula and facilities in care and rehabilitation centres and to raise public awareness of issues related to People of Determination through joint campaigns and activities that contribute to building an inclusive and supportive environment. Both sides will monitor the employment stability of People of Determination and provide the necessary support for their professional empowerment.
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Al Etihad
Scientists discover unusual atmospheric motion on Saturn's largest moon
7 June 2025 09:52 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Scientists at the University of Bristol, UK have observed a strange phenomenon in the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, discovering that its upper atmospheric layers do not remain fixed relative to the surface but instead wobble with the changing seasons.A research team made the discovery after analysing 13 years' worth of infrared data from the Cassini-Huygens mission, a joint venture between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space is the only moon in the Solar System with a significant atmosphere, and one that has long captivated planetary scientists.'The behaviour of Titan's atmospheric tilt is very strange!' said Lucy Wright, lead author and postdoctoral researcher at Bristol's School of Earth Sciences. 'Titan's atmosphere appears to be acting like a gyroscope, stabilising itself in space.'We think some event in the past may have knocked the atmosphere off its spin axis, causing it to wobble. Even more intriguingly, we've found that the size of this tilt changes with Titan's seasons.'The team studied the symmetry of Titan's atmospheric temperature field and found that it isn't centred exactly on the pole, as expected. Instead, it shifts over time, in step with Titan's long seasonal cycle—each year on Titan lasts nearly 30 years on Nick Teanby, co-author and planetary scientist at Bristol said: 'What's puzzling is how the tilt direction remains fixed in space, rather than being influenced by the Sun or Saturn.'That would've given us clues to the cause. Instead, we've got a new mystery on our hands.'This discovery will impact NASA's upcoming Dragonfly mission, a drone-like rotorcraft scheduled to arrive at Titan in the 2030s. As Dragonfly descends through the atmosphere, it will be carried by Titan's fast-moving winds—winds that are about 20 times faster than the rotation of the how the atmosphere wobbles with the seasons is crucial for calculating the landing trajectory of Conor Nixon, planetary scientist at NASA Goddard and co-author of the study, added: 'Our work shows that there are still remarkable discoveries to be made in Cassini's archive. This instrument, partly built in the UK, journeyed across the Solar System and continues to give us valuable scientific returns. 'The fact that Titan's atmosphere behaves like a spinning top disconnected from its surface raises fascinating questions—not just for Titan, but for understanding atmospheric physics more broadly, including on Earth.' The team's findings contribute to a growing body of research suggesting Titan is not just Earth-like in appearance but an alien world with climate systems all its own, and many secrets still hidden beneath its golden haze. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
