Middle East Molecular Biology Congress begins

Around 500 leading biologists and biomedical engineers, including professors and their trainees from the academic, clinical and pharmaceutical fields, are attending the third Middle East Molecular Biology Congress and Exhibition 2016, launched at Qatar University.

The five-day event, the first of its kind in the region, is a collaboration between QU and Middle East Molecular Biology Sources (MEMBS). The sponsors are Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar Biobank for Medical Research, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Qatar Genome Programme, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), Sidra Medical and Research Center, and Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar (WCM-Q). The objective is to provide a platform for representatives of the academic and industrial communities to interact and promote the translation of research into therapy. The participants showcase their latest research, highlight the use of innovative and emerging technologies, and encourage interactions and new interdisciplinary collaborations in the field of molecular biology.The keynote speakers are Prof Magid Abou-Gharbia (associate dean for Research, Laura H Carnell Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and director of the Moulder Centre for Drug Discovery Research at Temple University School of Pharmacy), Dr Chad Cowan (principal investigator, Harvard Department of Stem Cell and Harvard Stem Cell Institute), Dr Ronald Crystal (chairman, Department of Genetic Medicine, WCM-Q), Prof Jean-Laurent Casanova (attending physician, St Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases and investigator at the Rockfeller University Howard Hughes Medical Institute), Prof Alexandra Butler (adjunct professor of Medicine and Endocrinology, University of California), Prof Theo Lasser (director, Laboratory of Biomedical Optics at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), Prof Maries van den Broek (group leader, Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich), Prof Rayaz Malik (professor of Medicine at University of Manchester) and Prof Mohamed Mukhtar (professor of Biotechnology at American University of Ras Al Kaimah). The programme comprises sessions in the form of presentations, discussion panels and workshops that address a wide range of topics related to genomics and personalised medicine, stem cells and cellular therapy, metabolism and endocrinology, diabetes, cancer epigenetic, neurosciences: synaptic function in health and disease, signaling and systems biology, neurosciences: neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, neurosciences: therapeutic, cancer immunology, biotechnology, structural biology and molecular imaging”, and more. It also features an exhibition including a number of booths offering equipment, services and publications related to molecular biology.Commenting on the forum, QU president Dr Hassan al-Derham pointed out that during the past years, molecular biology has made a progress in key areas such as genome sciences, cell therapy, cancer treatment, and diabetes, which has a positive impact on human life and health. “QU continues in its efforts to advance exact sciences under the umbrella of ethical values to serve the needs of the society.” QU vice president for Medical Education and College of Medicine dean Dr Egon Toft said that by hosting such an event, QU is demonstrating its ongoing efforts to raise awareness on molecular biology in the Middle East and to promote research in key medical areas such as genetic diseases and stem cells to provide efficient solutions to medical issues that impact the wider community and to ensure that research efforts align with the needs of the healthcare sector in Qatar and the region. Qatar Biobank for Medical Research vice-chairperson, Qatar Genome Programme Committee chairperson and QU College of Health Sciences dean Dr Asma al-Thani asserted the commitment to promote the understanding of local and regional health and diseases by advancing new research that moves towards breakthroughs in health and medicine, and by organising events that create an excellent platform for experts to exchange their ideas in the field of health and medicine.