Latest news with #DasmanDiabetesInstitute
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait's DDI uses AI to identify new drug targets for diabetes
KUWAIT: A senior scientist at Kuwait's Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI) has harnessed cutting-edge artificial intelligence to unlock new insights into the molecular mechanisms of diabetes, paving the way for future drug development. Dr Anwar Mohammed, Head of the Precision Health Analysis Unit and Senior Scientist at DDI, led a research study that demonstrates how AI can revolutionize our understanding of complex biological structures related to diabetes. The research was recently published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. By using AlphaFold 3, a powerful AI model developed by Google DeepMind, Dr Anwar modeled the interaction between the KLF15 zinc finger domain and DNA — a key element in understanding type 2 diabetes at a molecular level. The accuracy of 'AlphaFold 3' was confirmed by comparing the modeled structure with experimental X-ray crystallography data, said DDI in a press statement. Dr Anwar also incorporated molecular dynamics simulations and binding energy calculations to identify critical hotspots that could support the design of targeted therapies. 'These applications can help understand disease mechanisms and design targeted therapies which are anticipated to yield advancements in healthcare and drug discovery,' said the statement. Dr Anwar's research highlights the growing role of AI in structural biology, a field that seeks to understand the three-dimensional structures of biomolecules like proteins and DNA and how that is related to their interactions. His findings emphasize AI's ability to accelerate the development of targeted therapies — especially crucial for chronic diseases like diabetes. Dr Anwar also credited the institute and its founding organization for enabling this work. He expressed gratitude for DDI's and KFAS' continuous support for Kuwaiti scientists in the field of research, science and medicine. Founded by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Dasman Diabetes Institute has long been recognized as a regional leader in diabetes research. Its ongoing support of innovation continues to position Kuwait on the frontlines of global scientific progress.
Arab Times
16-07-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Dasman Diabetes Institute represents Kuwait at the 85th ADA conference
KUWAIT CITY, July 16: The Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI) represented Kuwait at the 85th Annual Scientific Session of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), held recently in Chicago. This event, one of the world's foremost gatherings of diabetes researchers, saw the institute's participation as the largest from the Arab world. Dr. Faisal Al-Rifai, Acting Director General of DDI, highlighted the significance of the institute's involvement, noting the wide array of scientific lectures and research posters presented by the DDI team. He emphasized that the participation marked a key milestone in the institute's efforts to contribute to the global fight against diabetes. In addition to the presentations, Dr. Al-Rifai mentioned that the conference also provided a valuable platform for DDI's researchers to meet with representatives from leading international institutions. Discussions during these meetings focused on shared research interests, as well as opportunities for collaboration on future diabetes-related projects. This engagement at the ADA conference is in line with the institute's broader vision to strengthen its global partnerships in cutting-edge diabetes research. The DDI, which operates under the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), aims to expand its research cooperation with prestigious universities and centers worldwide, contributing to the development of effective programs and solutions to combat diabetes and its complications. By building on international collaboration and sharing expertise, the Dasman Diabetes Institute continues to enhance its role in advancing scientific knowledge and improving diabetes care globally.
Kuwait Times
16-07-2025
- Health
- Kuwait Times
Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI) represents Kuwait at 85th ADA conference
KUWAIT: Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI) participated in the 85th annual Scientific Session of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), held in Chicago, representing Kuwait in one of the world's leading events on diabetes research. DDI Acting Director General Dr. Faisal Al-Refaei stated that the institute's participation was the largest of its kind from the Arab region, featuring several scientific presentations and research posters from the institute's research team. Al-Rifai added that many research projects of common interest were also discussed during the meetings held on the sidelines of the conference between the institute - affiliated to the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) - and some of the prestigious international bodies and universities participating. The initiative is part of the institute's broader strategy to expand international collaboration in advanced diabetes research, in line with efforts to combat the disease and its complications through scientific studies. — KUNA
Arab Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
By 2050, 30% Of Kuwait's Population Expected To Suffer From Diabetes
KUWAIT CITY, May 15: The Swiss Embassy in Kuwait, in cooperation with the Kuwaiti-Swiss Business Platform, organized a scientific conference entitled 'Diabetes Research: An International Partnership' at the residence of Swiss Ambassador Tiziano Balmelli. A group of experts and researchers from Switzerland and Kuwait attended the conference to discuss developments in diabetes research and strengthen scientific cooperation to curb its spread. During the conference, Dr. Abdullah Al-Kandari revealed that the percentage of people with diabetes in Kuwait has reached 20 percent and is expected to reach 30 percent by 2050 -- up from only seven percent in the 1990s. He warned about the accelerating spread of the disease, especially among those over the age of 60, as about two-thirds of this age group is affected. He attributed the increase to unhealthy lifestyle, including inactivity, poor diet and smoking. He stressed the need to adopt effective prevention methods like regular exercise and a healthy diet. He also recommended that everyone aged 40 or 45 should undergo an annual test for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) or fasting blood sugar. Regarding treatment methods, Al-Kandari stated that traditional medicine has been proven effective, but he was quick to underscore the need to follow doctors' recommendations and prescribed medications, rather than relying on alternative medicine as the primary option. Medical Director of Dasman Diabetes Institute Dr. Ebaa Ozeri gave a presentation on the institute's ongoing research projects, affirming the fruitful collaboration with the Kuwaiti Danish Dairy Company (KDD). Executive Manager of Research and Innovation at KDD Wolfram Alderson shed light on the efforts of the company to develop nutritional products that support diabetes control in collaboration with the institute. Professor Pedro Marques-Vidal announced a collaborative project between the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and the institute to study genetic factors and their impact on the effectiveness of treatments. He is hoping that this collaboration will expand to include other medical fields. Balmelli expressed his satisfaction with the level of existing cooperation. 'We are not just promoting improved management of diabetes, but also the effective bilateral cooperation between research institutions in both countries, such as Dasman Diabetes Institute, KISR, and the University of Lausanne,' he added. He then emphasized the importance of building lasting institutional partnerships that contribute to providing innovative scientific solutions to common health challenges.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Losing Just One Night's Sleep Changes Your Immune System, Study Finds
We all know sleep is important, but it takes up so much time. With responsibilities and diversions still looming from our waking life, the urge to skimp on sleep can be powerful. Yet as a new study suggests, even a single night of sleep deprivation may cause significant upheaval in the immune system, potentially contributing to the development of conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The perils of chronic sleep deprivation are widely known, from mood changes and cognitive impairments to health problems like heart attacks or strokes. There is abundant evidence linking poor sleep with these and other ailments, and abundant evidence suggesting health problems like these are commonly driven by chronic inflammation, the authors of the new study point out. There is less evidence, however, about the specific mechanisms involved: How exactly could sleep deprivation lead to the systemic inflammation that goes on to impair people's health? For the new study, researchers from the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait sought to understand the influence of sleep deprivation on circulating immune cells, such as monocytes, and its association with systemic inflammation. Monocytes are large leukocytes, or white blood cells, that play key roles in the innate immune system, which provides the body's first line of defense against intruders. There are three subsets of monocytes in humans: classical, non-classical, and intermediate. Non-classical monocytes patrol for pathogens in vasculature and extravascular tissues, the study's authors explain, using inflammatory cues to help them regulate the body's immune response. The researchers recruited 276 healthy Kuwaiti adults with varying body mass indices (BMIs), 237 of whom ended up completing the study. They analyzed the subjects' sleep patterns, and monitored their blood for levels of different monocyte subsets as well as inflammation markers. Obese participants had significantly lower sleep quality than leaner participants, the study found, along with higher chronic low-grade inflammation. They also had more non-classical monocytes, which correlated with lower sleep quality and increased pro-inflammatory markers. In another part of the study, five healthy, lean adults submitted blood samples throughout a 24-hour period of sleep deprivation. These were compared to control blood samples taken after the participants had had a few days of refreshing sleep. Even just 24 hours of sleep deprivation apparently altered the monocyte profiles in lean participants to resemble those of obese participants, a condition the researchers note is known to promote chronic inflammation. The answer may seem obvious – just get more sleep – but it's rarely that simple in real life. Modern civilization conspires to keep us up late, argues lead author Fatema Al-Rashed, a researcher at the Dasman Diabetes Institute. "Our findings underscore a growing public health challenge. Advancements in technology, prolonged screen time, and shifting societal norms are increasingly disruptive to regular sleeping hours," Al-Rashed says. "This disruption in sleep has profound implications for immune health and overall well-being." Future research should continue this examination of the links between sleep deprivation and immune changes, Al-Rashed and her colleagues write. They also hope to learn if any interventions might help mitigate this effect, such as structured sleep therapies or guidelines for limiting use of technology. "In the long term, we aim for this research to drive policies and strategies that recognize the critical role of sleep in public health," Al-Rashed says. "We envision workplace reforms and educational campaigns promoting better sleep practices, particularly for populations at risk of sleep disruption due to technological and occupational demands. "Ultimately, this could help mitigate the burden of inflammatory diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases," she says. The study was published in The Journal of Immunology. World First: Scientists Printed Penises For Pigs And Restored Their Erections Chewing Wood Could Give Your Brain an Unexpected Boost Tinnitus Seems to Be Somehow Connected to a Crucial Bodily Function
