UAE Emerges as Global Leader in Genomic Medicine and Disease Prevention

In the United Arab Emirates, national plans have been set with incredible speed and the country is on its way to become a world leader in genomic medicine and disease prevention. Leading this healthcare evolution is the Emirati Genome Programme (EGP) facilitated by the Abu Dhabi Biobank. These are progressive steps for a country’s medical front, which integrate one of the most advanced techniques –genetic sequencing –with artificial intelligence technology to revolutionize research and treatment.

New Research Framework Sets the Pace for More Innovation

The M42’s Omics Centre of Excellence is the UAE’s central hub for genomic research, leading the charge of the Emirati Genome Programme. Altogether, the centre manages complex genetic sequencing activities and its hi-tech resources to conduct interpretation of extensive genomic data with the help of advanced artificial intelligence tools. This technology assistance allows researchers to determine possible susceptibility and predisposition genes and markers for diseases within the Emirati population.

The centre’s activities do not include only fundamental research; they are also engaged in the construction of individualized medicine and new drug discovery strategies. As a result, the researchers will be able to find out how the residents of the region are predisposed to some diseases and how their bodies respond to certain medications.

Transforming Healthcare Through Precision Medicine

The use of genomic information in association with the conventional systems of treatment is rapidly transforming the care of patients in UAE. With the help of the rich store of biological materials and genetic data of the Abu Dhabi Biobank it becomes possible to provide individualized treatment for this and many other diseases. This approach greatly enhances the efficacy of disease prevention measures and allows for the identification of high-risk patients in the initial stage of the development of the disease.

The initiative also establishes the UAE as a location of precision medicine in the Middle East and allows collaborating with international partners. With the help of the high-tech technologies and wide genetic information the country is building the effective health care system for the prediction and prevention of diseases.