Qatar Biobank will host the second Qatar Biobanking Congress, focusing on precision medicine initiatives in Qatar and around the world as part of its mission to bring personalised healthcare to the country.
Under the theme, ‘The Impact of Biobanking on Precision Medicine Initiatives’, the conference will be held between March 14-15 at Qatar National Convention Centre.
The event will feature an international group of experts on biobanking, genomics and personalised medicine from around the world with a focus on using precision medicine to improve clinical outcomes. Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) are co-organisers of the congress.
Dr Asma al-Thani, chair of Qatar Genome Programme Committee and Board vice chairperson of Qatar Biobank, said that by “bringing together leading researchers, policy-makers and healthcare providers, the Second Qatar Biobanking Congress will advance the discussion of precision medicine around the world, and enable valuable knowledge sharing so that attendees may advance the efficiency and value of healthcare in their own countries.
“The shape of the global healthcare system is rapidly changing and is adopting patient-centric treatment practices. Through precision medicine, medical practitioners in Qatar will be able to provide the right medicine for patients at the right time. This will help us prevent and cure many of the healthcare issues the local population face, or may face in the future,” added Dr Asma.
Launched in 2011, Qatar Biobank, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, recently welcomed its 5,000th Qatari participant to its programme. It collects biological samples from the local population in an effort to develop customised medical solutions to the various diseases and health issues prevalent in the country.
The conference welcomes medical practitioners, health and genomic researchers, biobanking experts and the public to take part in planned debates.
The wide-ranging sessions and presentations will primarily be themed around a review of precision medicine initiatives in Qatar; ethical and Islamic perspectives on biobanking and genomic research; worldwide trends in precision medicine; and industry case studies from Qatar, the region and worldwide.
