(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Fazeena Saleem | The Peninsula
First of its kind policies and guidelines which would govern genomic research are likely to be introduced in the country soon, according to a senior official.
The unique regulations will be introduced as part of implementing the Qatar Genome Programme (QGP), said Dr Asma Al Thani, Chairperson of the Qatar Genome Programme Committee and Board Vice-Chairperson of Qatar Biobank, yesterday.
'We are working very closely with the Ministry of Public Health by bringing international consultants to finalise the policies and guidelines governing genomic research in Qatar, she said while speaking during the opening session of ‘Functional Genomics Symposium: Towards Precision Medicine' organised by Sidra Medicine.
It is Sidra Medicine's third annual Functional Genomics conference . Around 40 local and international experts during the three day symposium shares recent breakthroughs in implementing personalized medicine from early life, childhood, and adulthood. Different sessions focus on large-scale studies, novel technologies, and ongoing efforts towards the implementation of such programs in the MENA region.
The opening session focused on introduction and overview of research at Sidra Medicine's research achievements, updates on QGP and Qatar Foundation's Research Strategy.
In her presentation on ‘Genome Programme: Coming of Age' Dr Al Thani outlined about QGP. Managed by the Qatar Genome Committee, and incubated by Qatar Biobank, QGP uses a collection of samples and data from Qatar Biobank participants to identify genotype-phenotype associations relevant to the Qatari population. This will provide unique insights that would enable the development of personalised healthcare in Qatar.
'QGP is not just about sequencing , but was built based on a national strategy with seven building blocks that would lay the strong foundations required to build a unique model that would put Qatar as a leading nation in the implementation of precision medicine, she said.
The seven building blocks include having a national biobank, establishment of advanced genomics and bioinformatics infrastructures, forging research partnerships, investing in local human capacity by introducing academic programs at local universities, drafting governing policies and regulations, and eventually building a national genome data network and integrating genomics into the clinical setting.
Regarding sequencing samples, by June 2017 QGP sequenced 6000 samples and it is expected to sequence 10000 samples by mid 2018. Also in collaboration with Qatar National Research Fund, QGP has started to sequence diseased based samples as a step towards personalized medicine, said Dr Al Thani.
'We are focusing on disease based samples and started from cardiovascular samples. We are looking into other groups as well. As you know the samples coming from the Qatar biobank are from the healthy people and now we have to focus on disease based samples, she said.
Peter Morris, CEO, Sidra Mediicne, Dr Ena Wang, Acting Chief research Sidra Medicine Dr Khalid Fakhro, Director of Human Genetics at Sidra Medicine and Assistant Professor of Genetic Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar also addressed the opening session of the symposium.
Sidra Medicine's third annual Functional Genomics conference being held at St, Regis hotel Doha is co-organised with scientific journal Nature Genetics. It also aims to complement the work of researchers and healthcare professionals at Sidra Medicine and in Qatar to implement precision medicine for women, children and adolescents in the country, the region and internationally.
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