Institute builds on 10 years of genomics research to address
the under-representation of the Arab genome and unravel a more
representative map of the human race
DOHA, Qatar, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Her Highness
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation,
officially launched the Qatar Precision Health Institute, a
national body aimed at leveraging the country's advanced genomics
research to accelerate personalized healthcare – leading to more
precise treatments and improved health outcomes for people in the
Arab world and beyond.
The Qatar Precision Health Institute builds on the
groundbreaking work of Qatar Biobank and Qatar Genome Programme,
uniting the efforts of Qatar Foundation's research institutes to
provide insights that reveal the effects of lifestyle, environment,
and genetics on the Arab population.
Her Highness, Sheikha Moza bint
Nasser, spoke at the formal launch event, emphasizing the
importance of raising public awareness on the benefits of precision
health. She said:
"I am proud that Qatar was the
first country in the region to establish a population-based genome
program, and has played a pioneering role in ensuring that Arab
genomes are included in global genomic databases. Qatar's efforts have led to faster and more
accurate diagnoses of multiple diseases for people from the
region. QPHI is building on those successes and taking our
knowledge forward to implement clinical solutions that will lead to
a healthier future not only for our citizens but for people around
the world."
Qatar Foundation's work in the field of precision health led to
the creation of the Qatari genome catalog, comprising more than 88
million variants, 24 million of which had never been reported
previously in international databases.
Dr. Said Ismail, Acting President of QPHI, said:
"The Middle East is home to
more than 400 million people, and is one of the world's oldest
inhabited regions, yet it is the most underrepresented in genome
sequencing, as over 95% of available genome data comes from
Western Europe and North America. Through research and clinical
trials conducted at QPHI, we aim to improve the representation of
Arab genomes in these datasets, empowering scientists to unravel
the complete map of genomes that define the allelic spectrum of the
human race, including Africa, East
and Southeast Asia."
QPHI will advance the study of the Arab genome through
recruiting Qataris and long-time residents in large numbers,
analyzing their biological samples, as well as information about
their health and lifestyle. In doing so, it will make vital data
accessible for researchers across the region and the world.
Partnerships with leading global genomics institutes, including The
Global Alliance for Genomics and Health, as well as the Health
Institutes of Turkey will ensuring
the transferability of discoveries, and strengthen genomics
research on a global scale.
To date, Qatar Genome Programme has sequenced the genomes of
over 40,000 Qataris or long-term Qatar residents, generating a wealth of data
that has helped to inform diagnoses and treatments that have saved
lives.
Through the use of precision medicine, a great number of
diseases can be detected early, or avoided
altogether. Interventions such as rapid genetic screening
for heart patients has led to targeted treatment and a reduction in
the number of days patients need to stay in hospital, while
mandatory newborn screening through heel prick tests screens for
over 80 disorders, giving doctors and parents the ability to detect
treatable diseases before clinical presentation.
By seamlessly integrating cutting-edge research with clinical
applications, QPHI will equip healthcare providers with the means
to provide personalized treatment and elevate the standard of care
while cementing Qatar's position
as a frontrunner in precision medicine on the global stage.
For more about Qatar Foundation, please
visit qf.org.qa.
For more about QPHI, please visit qphi.org.qa
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