Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development announced today that Dr Hilal Lashuel (pictured), a prominent scientist in life sciences and associate professor at the Brain Mind Institute of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) School of Life Sciences, has been appointed Executive Director of Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI).

Dr Lashuel will assume his new position on April 1, 2014, and will contribute to the advancement of translational biomedical research and the development of innovative personalised medicine in Qatar. Mr Faisal Alsuwaidi, President of Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D), welcomed Dr Lashuel and highlighted the wealth of experience that he will bring to Qatar Foundation Research and Development.

“Building on his past experiences and previous activities with Qatar Foundation, we are pleased to have Dr Lashuel in the Executive Director role to guide QBRI in support of our vision of becoming a leading centre for research and development excellence and innovation,” said Mr Alsuwaidi.

Dr Lashuel is internationally recognised for his work in the molecular basis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. His research has contributed significantly to the identification of novel disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets for the treatment of these conditions. His scientific contributions include more than 100 publications in major peer reviewed journals including Nature journals, Cell, PNAS and Angewandte Chemie, as well as patents on novel strategies for preventing protein aggregation. 

He has received several awards and notable acknowledgements, including Human Science Frontiers young investigator award and the European Research Council (ERC) starting independent researcher award. In 2009, he was named by L'Hebdo magazine among the ‘100 outstanding personalities’ in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. In March 2012, Dr Lashuel was designated by the World Economic Forum as one of 2012 Young Global Leaders (YGLs).

Commenting on Dr Lashuel’s appointment, Dr Thomas Zacharia, Executive Vice President of QF R&D, said, “Dr. Lashuel will be a tremendous addition to the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute. The ability to attract a scientist of such international distinction is the latest evidence that we are building the research capabilities in Qatar to become a global hub for translational medicine.”   

Dr Lashuel expressed his enthusiasm to take up the exciting and challenging position. “I am truly honoured and humbled by the trust and confidence Qatar Foundation have invested in me, and for giving me this unique opportunity to lead QBRI and contribute to achieving the objectives of the Qatar National Research Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030,” he said. “While there are challenges that lie ahead, I also see great opportunities to make transformative changes that will impact education, research, and healthcare in Qatar and the region.”

Dr Lashuel has had several previous engagements in Qatar including coordinator of the biomedical group and active member of Arab Expatriate Scientists - an initiative launched by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser - in 2006, and serving as consultant and advisor to Qatar Foundation and the Sidra Medical & Research Center.

His contribution to promoting higher education and research in the Middle East is exemplified by his roles as co-founder and Secretary General of the Society for the Advancement of Science and Technology in the Arab World (SASTA), co-founder and co-director of the American Association of Yemeni Scientists and Professionals, and a founding member of the IBRO-MENA (International Brain Research Organization) sub-region chapter, which aims to promote neuroscience research in the MENA region. He serves as research advisor to several organisations and universities in the region.

Dr Lashuel has spent almost nine years at EPFL in France, where he made significant and notable impact. EPFL has a strong reputation in biomedicine and neuroscience and coordinates some of the most important international research programmes in the field, such as the Human Brain Project. The institute promotes innovative ways for studying the brain and its diseases, and Dr Lashuel is among its most prominent scientists.

“We are proud and honored to have such a promising researcher join Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, and we are certain that his extraordinary vision will contribute to making Qatar a central hub in the increasingly important field of biomedical and brain research,” said Patrick Aebischer, President of EPFL.

Dr Lashuel received his BSc degree in Chemistry from the City University of New York in 1994 and completed his doctoral studies in biological chemistry at Texas A&M University and the Scripps Research Institute in 2000. The following year he moved to Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women's Hospital as a research fellow and was later promoted to Instructor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. In 2005, Dr Lashuel moved to Switzerland to join the Brain Mind Institute at EPFL, where his research resulted in the identification of potential therapeutic targets and new hypotheses concerning the mechanisms of pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and related disorders.

In 2012-2013, Dr. Lashuel was a visiting associate professor at the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. He has chaired and co-organised several international conferences and served as an academic editor for PLOSONE, and is currently an associate editor for ‘Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience’, a member of the advisory board of ChemBioChem, and an ad hoc reviewer for several international journals and funding agencies. His research is funded by various international agencies and foundations, and is supported by strong collaborations with major pharmaceutical and biotech companies. 

Experts in biomedical research and related fields attended the research symposium organized jointly by Qatar University Biomedical Research Center (QUBRC) and Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) which was held last Tuesday.

The event was attended by QU Vice President for Research Dr Hassan Al-Derham, QBRI Executive Director Dr Hilal A Lashuel, and scientists and researchers from Qatar Biobank, Qatar Cardiovascular Research Center (QCRC), Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) and Qatar Foundation (QF). The purpose of the event was to bring together experts, scientists and researchers to discuss developments in biomedical research in Qatar, and more specifically, for QU and QBRI scientists to meet and strengthen their scientific interaction.  Discussions also focused on the aims, objectives and strategies of QUBRC and QBRI towards achieving a breakthrough in biomedical research.

In her remarks, QUBRC newly-appointed Director Dr Asmaa Al-Thani said that the new center will focus on research, training and services in applied and basic biomedical research.  She added that, to achieve this objective, QUBRC will work closely with QBRI and other partners in Qatar such as Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar Cardiovascular Research Center (QCRC), Sidra Medical and Research Center, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital (Aspetar) and Qatar Biobank (QBB). “Through its activities and functions, the Center will strive to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases in the community and hospitals and enhance public health in Qatar in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) and HMC”, Dr Al-Thani said, adding, “Concerted efforts will be made to advance research on drug development and testing in the long run”.  

Dr Al-Thani highlighted QU’s competitive strength in biomedical sciences, noting its many college-based labs, a faculty body numbering over 50 in the field of biomedical sciences, and a host of graduate programs.  “The Center itself has ample facilities, equipment and resources and will provide state-of-the-art labs and support for interdisciplinary and translational research and complement the already existing or planned biomedical research capabilities in the country”, she said.

She stated further that, while attracting industry partnerships for research and development (R&D), the Center will leverage resources at other QU units such as the Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Kindi Lab for Computing Research, Laboratory Animal Research Center (LARC), College of Pharmacy (CPH), and the Environmental and Biological Sciences department in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), and provide expanded capabilities to faculty and student researchers. Dr Lashuel remarked:  “The QUBRC is a significant achievement for QU and the biomedical landscape for the State of Qatar.  Also, this milestone is a great opportunity to build a bridge between QU and QBRI in areas of education, training and research”.

Researchers at WCMC-Q have made a major step towards understanding why certain cancers often recur after they have been treated with conventional therapies.

The research, which focused on a specific protein that allows skin, prostate and breast cancers to regrow after initially successful treatment, paves the way for future studies that could lead to the development of a new generation of more effective anti-cancer drugs. Led by WCMC-Q’s Professor of Genetic Medicine & Immunology Dr. LotfiChouchane, the project is the result of a joint effort by researchers from WCMC-Q, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), and Sidra Medical and Research Center, all of which are Qatar Foundation member organizations. Additional contributions were made by medical institutions in China and the United States.

The study demonstrated the role of a protein, appropriately named ‘BAD protein’, in the survival and renewal of some cancer cells – known as Cancer Stem Cells – which are able to resist even the most advanced anti-cancer drugs available today. Dr. Chouchane explained: “The problem with existing cancer treatments is that they can target and kill most of the cancer cells, but they are not able to target the cancer stem cells. These cancer stem cells are only a small proportion of the total number of cancer cells, but they are very important because they are able to sustain tumor growth, which means the cancer comes back. We were able to show that the BAD protein not only plays a role in the survival of cancer stem cells, but that it is actually essential for their survival. This makes BAD an extremely attractive target for research for new, more effective cancer therapies.”

The study, entitled Targeting proapoptotic protein BAD inhibits survival and self-renewal of cancer stem cells, has now been published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Cell Death and Differentiation, part of the prestigious Nature series of journals.

BAD stands for ‘Bcl2-Antagonist of cell Death’, where Bcl-2 refers to the name of the gene that encodes the protein. The protein is known as an ‘antagonist of cell death’ because in a different form it actually helps to kill cancer stem cells, but when it undergoes a common molecular process called phosphorylation its properties change and the protein then helps the deadly cells to survive and progress.

Laboratory tests performed by the team on cultivated melanoma, prostate and breast cancer cells showed a positive relationship between the levels of BAD protein and cancer stem cells. The study also found high expression levels of BAD protein in 83 per cent of breast cancer tumor specimens taken from patients. Additionally, the researchers discovered a positive correlation between BAD and prostate cancer progression, which suggests BAD plays a role in tumor advancement as well as tumor initiation. This means that future research could use BAD to develop a new way to monitor tumor progression as well as novel cancer therapies.

Major contributors to the project were Dr. Konduru Sastry, Research Associate in Microbiology and Immunology of WCMC-Q, and Scientist Dr. Mariam Al Muftah of QBRI, while Sidra contributed the expertise of Dr. Francesco M. Marincola, Dr. Ena Wang and Dr. Awatef Ismail. Dr. Chouchane said: “It was very pleasing that we were able to work with colleagues at QBRI and Sidra to produce this study and it shows the great progress that is being made by Qatar in the field of biomedical research.”

Dr. Khaled Machaca, WCMC-Q’s Associate Dean for Research, said: “This study represents an important milestone in our understanding of cancer eradication and promises new therapeutic avenues. It is very encouraging and rewarding to have such important findings as the fruits of a multi-institution collaboration among multiple entities within the Qatar Foundation family. This fits squarely within the vision of the QF leadership to encourage collaborative efforts among research-focused institutions in Qatar. Such a collaborative effort between WCMC-Q, QBRI and Sidra offers a shining example of how successful such collaborations can be.”

Other contributors to the project were Research Specialist Ms. Moza Al Kowari and Dr. Abdelali Haoudi from QBRI; Ms. Dhanya Kizhakayil, Laboratory Specialist at WCMC-Q; Dr. George Kulik of Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina; and Dr. Pu Li of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China. Funding for the project was contributed by the Biomedical Research Program (BMRP) of Qatar Foundation, which supports the research effort at WCMC-Q, and by Qatar Biomedical Research Institute.

Qatar Foundation Research & Development’s (QF R&D) Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), and the Japanese Preventive Medicine & Diagnosis Innovation Program at RIKEN (RIKEN-PMI), have announced plans to establish joint research laboratories and programmes in Qatar and Japan, aimed at advancing preventive and personalised medicine in Qatar. At a recent meeting in Doha, QBRI signed a letter of intent with RIKEN, one of the world’s leading scientific innovators and Japan’s largest cutting-edge research institution. The agreement will establish joint programmes to carry out projects with academic researchers and hospitals in both countries.

Through this latest initiative, QBRI is contributing to Qatar Foundation’s mission to build Qatar’s innovation and technology capacity by improving and transforming healthcare through research in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting Qatar and the region. In April last year, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, accompanied by a delegation from Qatar Foundation’s Research and Development (QF R&D) – one of the main QF pillars – visited a number of research centres in Japan with the goal of increasing research and development collaboration between the two countries.

During the visit, Qatar Foundation and RIKEN signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a framework enabling the parties to expand scientific exchange in the fields of computing, energy, environment and biomedical research. The letter of intent signed in Doha is the first major initiative to bear fruit following Her Highness’ visit to Japan and marks the first Qatar-Japan research bridge programme in biomedical research and personalised healthcare.

Qatar has taken important steps to develop innovative personalised medicine, and through the partnership with RIKEN, QBRI is furthering Qatar’s capabilities in this field by moving research into practice. Personalised medicine uses very specific genetic information about a person or their disease in order to choose treatment and care that is tailored to individual or personal needs and preferences to ensure they have the best outcome possible.

QBRI is already engaged in basic and applied medical research that supports the translation of novel scientific discoveries into more efficient therapies and better preventative strategies for human diseases, leading to the development of personalised medicine. RIKEN-PMI will train QBRI scientists and facilitate the transfer of genomics technologies and expertise in transcription network analysis. Researchers will apply these skills to diagnostics and precision medicine to address health issues that prevail among the Qatari population.

The partnership’s first project will focus on breast cancer, the most common form of cancer in Qatar, and will be conducted in collaboration with researchers from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). QBRI and RIKEN-PMI will address the possibility of implementing the biomarker discovery project utilising RIKEN’s genomic technology to identify disease signatures. The project will include a joint research laboratory for molecular diagnostics in Qatar, which will enable researchers to discover new biomarkers and develop personalised preventive medical solutions.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr Hilal Lashuel, Executive Director of QBRI said: “This partnership is the first fruit of QF Chairperson Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser’s visit to Japan earlier this year. The programme is also the first Qatar-Japan research bridge in biomedical research and personalised healthcare, which we believe will benefit the Qatari population an improve personalised healthcare throughout the entire region. 

“This collaboration will compliment and extend ongoing research activity at Hamad Medical Corporation  and offers unique opportunities for the molecular study of cancer and familial patterns of disease in Qatar.” Professor Alexander Knuth, Medical Director and Chairman of Cancer Services at HMC added:“Rapid progress in treatment opportunities and outcomes through personalised medicine, is also anticipated enabling Qatar to offer excellence in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.” 

Commenting on the collaboration, Dr Yoshihide Hayashizaki, Director RIKEN-PMI, said: “This partnership is a milestone that marks a transitional stage in the field of medicine.  It comes at the optimum time since the accumulated scientific knowledge and developed technologies are going to be applied to clinical practice, and will no doubt have a strong impact in Qatar and beyond. “We appreciate this opportunity to collaborate with QBRI and through our commitment to cancer diagnosis we anticipate continuing breakthroughs as well as further developments in biomedical research in Qatar and elsewhere.”

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), formalizing an agreement that will see both entities harness their combined medical research capabilities. 

The agreement will also further enhance an environment in which clinical discoveries will be translated into practical applications for the benefit of patients more quickly. The MoU was signed by HMC’s Managing Director, Hanan Al Kuwari, PhD and QBRI Executive Director, Dr. Hilal Lashuel. The new agreement will boost the resources of existing research teams studying health problems like diabetes, cancer, degenerative diseases and genetic disorders and pave the way for new research studies. 

The MoU is expected to lead to further development of a skilled national healthcare workforce, providing numerous career and professional development opportunities for clinicians, researchers and faculty. Dr. Al Kuwari said the agreement emphasizes HMC’s and QBRI’s dedication to improving patient outcomes through research and innovation. “HMC and QBRI have shown a commitment to fostering a culture of translational research and evidenced-based care, which will ultimately lead to better overall patient outcomes across Qatar,” said Al Kuwari. 

“Combining the talents of both entities on joint projects is logical and consolidates the academic health expertise within the country’s medical community,” she added. Dr. Lashuel said the initiative was demonstrative of the country’s strengthening scientific and medical research capabilities. “This agreement is a catalyst for cutting-edge biomedical research, which is an essential element in today’s complex and evolving healthcare landscape. It reinforces Qatar’s position as a regional leader in biomedical research and scientific discovery,” said Dr. Lashuel.

HMC’s Chief of Scientific, Faculty, and Academic Affairs and chief policy advisor on academic health, Professor Edward Hillhouse said the agreement allows for the cross-appointed QBRI faculty to work closely with HMC clinicians and researchers. “Under the linked agreement, it provides access to HMC’s state-of-the-art research facilities. Reciprocally, cross-appointed clinicians from HMC will engage in basic and translational research activities at QBRI, in support of clinical enterprise at HMC,” said Prof. Hillhouse.

QBRI is the newest member of Qatar’s Academic Health System, a dynamic collaborative partnership of eight organizations that draws together Qatar’s leading healthcare, academic and research entities towards improving patient care and delivering innovative healthcare solutions.

Qatar Foundation Research and Development’s (QF R&D) Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) and the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) have established the IBRO-Middle East/North Africa (MENA) sub-regional headquarters in Qatar and designated QBRI as the host organisation. The announcement comes out of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Doha by QBRI and IBRO, one of the world’s leading global scientific, education and advocacy organisations in neuroscience.

The agreement supports Qatar Foundation’s mission to promote a culture of excellence in Qatar and the region, and innovate and build capacity to underscore Qatar’s pioneering role as an emerging centre for healthcare innovation in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030. Improved healthcare diagnosis, treatment and preventative approaches for different disorders, including illness relating to the brain, are a key area of focus of healthcare research conducted by QBRI.

The MOU jointly supports the planning, organisation and management of high level neuroscience schools, symposia, conferences or any other research and educational activities throughout the MENA region. It further encourages the development of partnership and networking opportunities between relevant regional stakeholder groups, including academia, industry, NGOs and government organisations. As part of the MOU agreement, IBRO has pledged financial support and will provide annual funding for IBRO-MENA Committee activities. The Committee’s objective is to support and promote the field of neuroscience suited to the needs of the MENA region, and Dr. Hilal A. Lashuel, QBRI Executive Director have been named as chair, and Dr. Omar El-Agnaf of Qatar Foundation’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has been chosen to serve as a co-chair.

Last month QBRI hosted the IBRO-MENA Neurogenetics School, "Genetic Basis of Neurologic and Psychiatric Disease," with the support of IBRO funding where students from Qatar and across the MENA region undertook theoretical and practical studies in neurogenetics. The school was followed by a landmark two-day neuroscience symposium, “Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders: From Mechanism to Therapeutic Strategies” which was the first of its kind to be held in Qatar. Researchers from Hamad Medical Corporation, HBKU, and QF partner university, Weill Cornell Medical College, participated as instructors and guest speakers and were instrumental to the success of both events.

Encouraged by this partnership, Dr. Hilal A. Lashuel, Executive Director of QBRI, commented: “This strategic partnership complements and extends ongoing QBRI neuroscience activity and offers unique opportunities for young scientists in Qatar and the MENA region. The partnership aims to create and support education and training programmes that are suited to local needs and promote neuroscience careers for young researchers in the region.”

Pierre J. Magistretti, IBRO President added: “We look forward to this very important collaboration with QBRI to promote neuroscience in the region. IBRO very much appreciates the coomitment of QBRI to host the MENA – IBRO office, a commitment that is a guarantee for success for this initiative” As part of its activities, QBRI also has a dedicated research programme focused on the understanding of the genetic causes of diseases and conditions in Qatar with a particular focus on autism, intellectual disability and epilepsy.

Professor Hilal A. Lashuel, Executive Director of Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), a research and development entity under Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), co-chaired The Brain Forum 2015 in Lausanne, Switzerland, last week. The annual global event highlighted the challenges and opportunities in translating scientific advances in neuroscience, computing, drug discovery, and brain research to new technologies, tools and treatments that will improve the quality of life and healthcare.

The Brain Forum 2015 was a joint partnership between the W Science Initiative and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. It was co-chaired by QBRI’s Professor Hilal A. Lashuel; Professor Patrick Aebischer, President of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne; Dr Walid Juffali, Chairman of W Science Initiative; and Dr Jamil Al-Imad, CEO of the W Science Initiative. The high-profile event was first launched in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2013.

As a key research and development entity, QBRI contributes to the mission of Qatar Foundation to build Qatar’s innovation and technology capacity by improving and transforming healthcare through scientific research in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. With the primary aim of addressing national priorities for growth and development, the work of QBRI also highlights Qatar’s role as an emerging global centre for healthcare innovation. The Brain Forum was founded on the principle that progress is achieved through dialogue, engagement and collaboration between all stakeholders involved in shaping the landscape and future of brain research.  

Commenting on the forum, Professor Lashuel said: “Towards achieving this goal, we sought to bring together leading scientific and academic experts from around the world, including philanthropists and leaders from the industry, funding agencies, and policy makers to share their knowledge and expertise with the aim of improving our understanding of the human brain in addition to finding new ways to enhance brain function and find treatments for neurological diseases that are threatening our society today.”

Professor Lashuel, one of the key individuals behind the development of The Brain Forum, is a founding member of the Scientific Advisory Committee and co-chaired the development of scientific programmes for The Brain Forum in 2013 and 2015. On the first day of the forum, Professor Lashuel chaired a panel discussion with some of the pioneers and scientific leaders behind major national and regional brain initiatives, including the US Brain Initiative launched by US President Barack Obama in 2013, the European Human Brain Project, The Allen Institute for Brain Science and the recently announced China Brain Science Project.

“It is truly amazing to think about what we have been able to achieve with our limited understanding of the brain today and what will be possible once these ambitious global initiatives achieve their goals. There is no doubt that advances in the interface of neuroscience, engineering and computer science during the next five to ten years will transform many aspects of our lives and bring new hope to those suffering from brain diseases,” Dr Lashuel concluded.

Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), a research and development entity under Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has announced the launch of a new internship initiative, the ‘Summer Research Programme’ (SRP). Running over eight weeks from 10 May to 2 July, the programme is open to undergraduate students from local, regional, and international universities.

The Summer Research Programme will support Qatar Foundation’s overarching goal of unlocking human potential, and fulfilling the Qatar Nation Vision 2030 by transforming the country into a knowledge-based economy. QBRI’s work fulfils QF’s mission to develop sciences in different medical fields in order to promote a culture of excellence in Qatar and the region, and innovate and build capacity to highlight Qatar’s role as an emerging centre for healthcare innovation. 

Dr. Hilal Lashuel, QBRI Executive Director, said: "Sharing the excitement of discovery and biomedical research is fundamental for QBRI and preparing the next generation of scientists is at the core of our mission." “Our ultimate goal is to develop this initiative into an international summer programme that will attract outstanding students from all over the world to QBRI and introduce them to the exciting research programmes and scientific opportunities in the State of Qatar.”

Lina Hassna, QBRI – SRP Programme Manager,  added: The ‘Summer Research Programme’ will give the selected students the chance to work side-by-side with some of QBRI scientists in a dedicated environment. “Through this particular initiative, the participants will be able to broaden their knowledge, learn new skills and explore their scientific interests and career options. It is also a chance for participants to interact and network with other students who have an interest in research.  Additionally, by facilitating this process, QBRI is contributing to capacity building and promoting cross –institutional collaborations.”

Each participant will be matched with a research project based on the student’s background and area of interest, providing each of them with a unique opportunity for hands-on laboratory research experience under the supervision of QBRI experts. The research projects will address a variety of biomedical subjects including: Type II diabetes, cancer and stem cell development. The students will also participate in a series of weekly seminars, workshops and informal discussions on the latest advances in diabetes, cancer, genomics and neuroscience research with members of the scientific community at QBRI and other biomedical research institutions in Qatar. Following the conclusion of the Research Programme, the students will give an oral and poster presentation on their projects to their peers.

For more information, or to apply for the ‘Summer Research Programme’, please visit: www.qbri.org.qa/internship/srp

Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), a Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D) entity, and Harvard Medical School (HMS) have signed an agreement to establish the Harvard Medical School Cancer Biology and Therapeutics training programme (HMS-CBT).  It is anticipated that the programme will launch in the fall of 2015 with the first residential workshop in Doha.

The agreement is part of an effort to support specialised training that promotes a deeper understanding of cancer biology, cancer screening, diagnosis and personalized treatments. The programme does not involve clinical care. As a key research and development entity, QBRI contributes to the mission of Qatar Foundation to build Qatar’s innovation and technology capacity by improving and transforming healthcare through scientific research in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. With the primary aim of addressing national priorities for growth and development, the work of QBRI also highlights Qatar’s role as an emerging global centre for healthcare innovation.

QBRI and HMS will contribute to the development and implementation of the course through joint admission and curriculum development committees. QBRI will provide will offer a limited number of full and partial scholarships to qualified participants from Qatar, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions. There will be a joint effort to promote the course in Qatar, the GCC and MENA regions.

HMS-CBT is a one-year, non-clinical blended-learning certificate programme that is designed to provide participants with the key skills and knowledge in cancer biology needed to effectively treat cancer patients. The programme will develop expertise through an understanding of the molecular and cellular events that result in tumour formation, progression, and metastasis. It will also cover important topics related to screening, detection, and diagnosis, as well as electives in clinical cancer genetics, pathology, and drug development. The course will be anchored by three separate residential workshops that will take place at the beginning, mid-point, and end of the programme, in Doha, London, and Boston, respectively. The programme will also feature 15 interactive live webinars with world experts in cancer, and 45 pre-recorded lectures. 

At the conclusion of this specialised training programme, participants will have a basic understanding of the scientific underpinnings of cancer biology and will have acquired core knowledge in pharmacology, drug development pertaining to cancer. In addition, participants will have gained expertise in the general management of cancer therapeutics with a focus on both the principles of, and targeted therapies for, specific cancers. The programme will also enhance understanding of the emerging scope of personalised approaches to cancer and its treatment.

“The HMS-CBT programme will provide specialised education and training in cancer research and treatment, and will also help build capacity in the region’s research and health care community,” said Dr Hilal Lashuel, QBRI Executive Director. “It will provide a unique opportunity for both clinicians and scientists to gain training and up-to-date understanding of the latest advances in cancer biology and therapies, contributing to Qatar’s efforts to implement and pioneer personalised healthcare in the region,” Dr Lashuel added.   

Experts from HMS and its affiliated teaching hospitals and research institutions, as well as other premier international institutions and organisations, will participate both as faculty and as mentors. The programme will develop skills among clinicians and scientists specialising in cancer and serve as a catalyst for future collaborations and exchanges.

“This collaborative initiative will benefit both QBRI and HMS through the exchange of ideas and will develop a regional and global network of future leaders in cancer research and treatment,” said Ajay Singh, Associate Dean for Global Education at HMS.For more information, please visit HMS-CBT http://hms.harvard.edu/cbt

Faculty and staff from across Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), came together on September 13^th to celebrate the beginning of the 2015-16 academic year. At the gathering Dr. Ahmad Hasnah, President of HBKU, spoke of the importance of building an institution that provides access to high-quality education at postgraduate level in line with the needs of the nation and which plays and important role in developing the research capabilities of the country. It will deliver an array of research education master’s and doctoral programs through its interdisciplinary graduate colleges: the College of Science and Engineering, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, HBKU Law School, College of Public Health, College of Business, and Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies. 

Dr. Hasnah used the gathering as an opportunity to introduce the staff and faculty to Dr. Khaled Ben Letaief, a distinguished academic who became the university’s Provost earlier this month. Recognized by Thomson Reuters as a highly cited published author, Dr. Ben Letaief has won a number of awards in the field of teaching excellence and brings with him a wealth of higher education experience to the post, including his most recent role of Chair Professor and Dean of Engineering at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Among those gathered at the event were faculty and staff from the three research institutes that became integral parts of the university earlier this year. As a result of the integration HBKU is now home to the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), and Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), and currently offers academic programs through its College of Science and Engineering (CSE), Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII), Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies (QFIS), School of Law, and its Center for Executive Education.

Commenting on how the colleges and research institutes are well suited to working closely together, Dr. Hasnah noted how the programs offered by HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering have already been reaping the rewards of developing collaborations with the research institutes. “The multidisciplinary way that we approach our programs is key, and by developing collaborations between colleges and research institutes our students will benefit from enhanced opportunities to learn from those involved in state-of-the-art research that targets important national and international issues such as renewable energy, cyber security, cancer, diabetes and personalized medicine,” he explained. HBKU is committed to its part in achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 by building and cultivating human capacity through an enriching academic experience that extends beyond the classroom. Students will be given a unique platform to enrich their education by integrating their curriculum with society through interdisciplinary research.

Dr. Hasnah looked towards a bright future for the university, noting the talent of the diverse members of the assembled HBKU family. He commented: “As we continue to build upon a strong foundation of high-quality students, faculty, and staff, we look forward to developing the university into a globally relevant hub of scholarship and research. Our continued success depends on you all. “Everything we’re now doing at HBKU is with Qatar and the region at heart and I look forward to seeing some of future graduates becoming the influencers of our country’s move towards a knowledge-based society.”

In line with its ongoing growth, the university welcomed 258 students as part of the new intake for 2015 and boasts a high percentage of Qatari students across its programs, including 62% in the Public Policy in Islam master’s program, 72% in the JD law program, and 90% in the Executive Master in Energy and Resources program. This year, the university also matriculated 11 Qatari Ph.D. students, who will explore topics across the important fields of sustainability and biological sciences.

Those interested in learning more about the programs and research centers of Hamad bin Khalifa University are encouraged to visit http://www.hbku.edu.qa/.

The Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), one of Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) three specialized national research institutes, is holding a workshop in Doha in collaboration with the Harvard Medical School Office of Global Education from October 24^th–28^th. The workshop is the first element of the Harvard Medical School Cancer Biology and Therapeutics program (HMS-CBT), a 12-month non-clinical blended-learning certificate program that provides participants with advanced training in key aspects of cancer research and treatment.

The program’s first intake includes 63 clinicians and scientists from around the world, with 10 Qataris among 19 participants representing Qatar. Alongside experts from Harvard Medical School (HMS) and QBRI, the faculty participating in the workshops include experts from Hamad Medical Corporation and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar.

QBRI and HMS announced the signing of an agreement to establish the program in June 2015. Over the next year, students will take part in a wide range of workshops, lectures, and interactive webinars. The residential workshop in Doha is the first of three, and will be followed by similar workshops in London and at Harvard Medical School in Boston in 2016 that will expand on the program’s key themes. At the program’s outset, participants are assigned to teams to work together across national boundaries and time zones. Throughout the program, students have access to senior faculty from Harvard Medical School and will be equipped with a deep understanding of cancer biology, cancer screening, diagnosis and personalized treatments. Topics being discussed and investigated include neoplasia and the pathology of cancer, breast cancer in the Middle East, cervical cancer, childhood leukemia, melanoma, cancer immunotherapy, and various approaches to studying cancer.

On Saturday, October 24^th, participants were welcomed at the beginning of the first day of the program by Dr.Hilal Lashuel, QBRI’s Executive Director, and Dr. Ajay K. Singh, Associate Dean for Global and Continuing Education at HMS. They introduced the program’s directors Dr. Peter Howley and Dr. Ed Harlow from Harvard Medical School, and Dr. George D. Demetri, Director of the Ludwig Center at Harvard, all of whom are globally recognized as leaders in the field of cancer research. This was followed by a series of faculty and student discussions around the subject of cancer as “The Emperor of All Maladies”.

Dr. Lashuel commented: “It is a pleasure to meet the first cohort of exceptional students in the HMS-CBT program and host them in Doha. The HMS and QBRI partnership represents a strong collaborative commitment to provide specialized training in cancer research and therapeutics to future leaders in biomedical science.

“This partnership has led to a program that encourages a valuable exchange of ideas and the building of a global network of experts. It also gives participants unique opportunities to directly interact with and learn form distinguished scientists from Harvard Medical School, many of whom have made discoveries that have transformed cancer biology and therapeutics over the past decades.Collaborating in programs such as this one helps QBRI build Qatar’s capacity in healthcare and research, highlighting Qatar’s leadership role regionally and as an emerging global center for healthcare innovation.”

Dr. Ajay K. Singh, said: “Our three outstanding CBT program directors, Harvard Medical School faculty members Dr. Peter Howley, Dr. Ed Harlow and Dr. George Demetri marshaled the expertise of other leaders in the field of oncology to bring a novel educational approach to understanding cancer biology and the challenges and opportunities presented by therapeutic strategies.”

Dr. Peter Howley, who is Professor of Microbiology and Immunobiology at Harvard Medical School as well as being one of the CBT program directors added: “The CBT program was designed for students from around the world to learn about cutting-edge concepts in cancer biology and therapeutics. The program actively encourages an exchange of ideas between students and faculty, and we are excited to have students from diverse backgrounds who want to develop their knowledge of cancer research and treatment.”

At the conclusion of the program, participants will be awarded a certificate of completion by HMS and will have had the opportunity to develop an understanding of the scientific underpinnings of cancer biology and pharmacology, as well as gaining significant insights into drug development pertaining to cancer.

Program participant Sara Saleh Al Khawaga, who qualified in Qatar as a Doctor of Medicine from Weill Cornell and who is currently a student on the Ph.D. in Biological and Biomedical Sciences program at Hamad bin Khalifa University, noted: “The blended-learning experience of the CBT program will provide me with deep knowledge and understanding of the cancer biology that shapes modern preventive and therapeutic approaches. This unique opportunity will allow me to establish collaborations and exchanges with other experts in our region and across the world. The program participants are diverse, and all of us, as clinicians and cancer researchers,have the chance to collaborate and work together, exchange ideas, and build a network in order to fight this malady.

“Having such a program in Qatar is an important and influential step in the development of cancer research here. This HMS and QBRI collaboration provides us, the participants, with specialized training in cancer research and therapeutics that will help us to become successful leaders in biomedical research. The program will enhance the development of cancer research in Qatar and provide potential for superior cancer care. As a Ph.D. student hoping to pursue a career in cancer research, having the opportunity to participate with experts from Qatar, HMS and worldwide will definitely be a significant step in my career.”

To learn more about the program, please visit https://hms.harvard.edu/departments/cancer-biology-therapeutics-program.

The Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) of Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) held a symposium on cancer research in the Middle East on Thursday October 29^th where cancer experts from Doha were joined by representatives from leading cancer research facilities across the Gulf and wider MENA region.

QBRI devised the symposium as a way to promote knowledge sharing and encourage collaboration when investigating, understanding, and treating cancers that are particularly prevalent in the Arab world. Studying cancer at a local and regional level is essential, since cancers and their behavior can vary significantly within a population according to geographical, social and environmental factors as well as genetic factors. With this in mind, the forum’s participants discussed several opportunities for future collaboration, and looked towards finding ways of widening the population sample base.

At the QBRI symposium, experts from research institutes and medical centers in Lebanon, Tunisia, Jordan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar took turns outlining their experience before taking part in a roundtable discussion titled “Regional collaboration and consortia: challenges and opportunities”. Several countries in the Middle East have begun to develop health-care transformation programs. Qatar, in particular, has published a National Health Strategy, in which cancer is one of the main concerns. In order to develop effective health-care strategies relating to cancer, countries across the Middle East will need to be at the forefront of integrated research initiatives. The next symposium will specifically focus on investigating breast cancer in the region and will take place in early 2016.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Hilal Lashuel, Executive Director of QBRI and chair of the symposium’s panel discussion, stressed the importance of developing ever-stronger connections between the scientists and clinicians who are involved in cancer research and treatment across the region. “It is vitally important that knowledge is shared regionally if we are to have a positive impact on the cancer research being carried out across our region. In Qatar, for instance, we have talented experts fully able to conduct in-depth cancer research but our sample pool of people living with any particular cancer is small. By sharing information between institutions and across national borders, we not only get to share ideas but also to share data and our experience with working with that data.

“It is vital that this symposium becomes an active forum where experts can come with difficult questions, with ideas, and with a willingness to share their research, and to go away with a strong sense of where useful collaborations can be developed that can answer their questions and to develop their ideas. This is what we’re looking for when the symposium meets again early next year to consider the challenges relating to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.”

The Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), one of Hamad bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) three specialized national research institutes, is hosting the IBRO-MENA-QBRI Annual Neuroscience Symposium on December 16^th– 17^th. Held in collaboration with the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), a union of neuroscience organizations that aim to promote and support neuroscience training and collaborative research around the world, the event speakers and panelists will this year concentrate on the topics of autism, neurodegeneration, and epilepsy.

Additionally, from December 19^th– 22^nd, QBRI will host the IBRO-MENA Neuroscience School, an event that complements the Neuroscience Symposium that will bring clinicians and researchers to Qatar for a four-day study course titled “Epilepsy: From Pathophysiology to Diagnosis and Therapy”. At the “School” experts from QBRI, Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar, Hamad Medical Corporation and participants in the symposium will share insight and analysis on the latest research on epilepsy with students from across the MENA region.

The Annual Neuroscience Symposium has been organized annually since 2011 as a way to bring leading researchers in the field of neuroscience together to discuss pertinent issues in their field and to raise the bar of brain research in the region. Last year was the first time the event took place in Qatar. IBRO and QBRI jointly established the IBRO Middle East North Africa (MENA) sub-regional headquarters in Qatar earlier this year, with QBRI designated as the permanent host organization for future events.

This year’s speakers include a number of neuroscientists from the United States such as Bassel Abou Khalil, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Epilepsy Center at Vanderbilt Heart Vascular Institute, Sarah Jane Webb, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Seattle Children’s Research Institute at the University of Washington, and Margaret Elizabeth Ross, Nathan Cummings Professor in Neurology and Chair of the Neuroscience Graduate Program at Weill Cornell Medical College. Also presenting their research will be Faycel Hentati, Professor of Neurology and Head of Department at Mongi Ben Hamida National Institute of Neurology in Tunisia, and Saeed Abdulla Boholega, President of the Saudi Neurology Society and Professor at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.

Dr. Hilal Lashuel, Executive Director of QBRI and Chair of IBRO MENA, commented: “QBRI is committed to do its part in establishing Qatar as an emerging center for healthcare innovation in support of Qatar National Vision 2030. Events like the neuroscience symposium fuel community interest in the field and open doors for collaborative research.” He continued: “Hosting the neuroscience symposium in Qatar is an honor and provides an opportunity for those working in the field of neuroscience regionally to interact and engage with specialists from around the world in order to continue to build knowledge and expertise.”

Commenting on the Neuroscience School, Dr. Omar El-Agnaf, Professor of Life Sciences at Hamad bin Khalifa University, noted: “In addition to providing a platform for brain researchers and scientists to identify gaps in knowledge and discuss key breakthroughs in the field, it is also important to QBRI, HBKU, and IBRO MENA that we share information with younger scientists and encourage their curiosity and study of neuroscience. At this year’s School we will be hosting students are from Sudan, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, and it is our hope that the lessons, professional development, and networking sessions will help deepen their interest in the field.”

To coincide with the IBRO MENA symposium and school, QBRI have been holding a Brain Awareness Week. Several events have been held at schools, pre-school centers, and at Villaggio Mall. QBRI’s Dr. Reem Al Olaby, who organized Brain Awareness Week, said: “QBRI believes in the great potential that lies within schoolchildren in particular. We held a competition called “The Brain Talk Competition” that aimed at encouraging students aged between 10 and 12 years old to think about the brain and to come up with a 10-minute movie that talks about the different parts of the brain in a creative way. Al Hammad International School took first place in the competition.”

She continued: “One of the main aims of QBRI is to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public through different community outreach programs. We believe that raising awareness among different age groups about how to maintain a healthy brain will help lead to them to go on to become scientists in this field themselves.”

The Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) and the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, two of Hamad bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU’s) specialized national research institutes, are playing an active role in supporting Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development’s Qatar National Day 2015 celebrations at Darb Al Saai. Aiming to encourage Qatar’s youth to take an interest in the sciences, interactive exhibitions and workshops designed by the research institutes are attracting large crowds of young people.

QBRI’s “Isolate Your DNA and Take It Home” activity encourage children to learn about genetics and give them the opportunity to work and act like scientists in order to interest them in pursuing a career in science in the future. The children have the chance to dress as scientist, wear white lab coats and gloves, and use a simple mouth wash to collect cells from their cheeks and then add some material which enables them to see their DNA.

During the activity, QBRI staff explains how it is possible to identify DNA, how each person’s DNA is a unique mix of their parents’ DNA, and how this determines one’s appearance. Parents, teachers, and university students have also taken part in the exercise, and have learned how studying DNA can help biomedical researchers better understand diseases and discover medical treatments.

The activity has attracted hundreds of participants per day, peaking the interest of many attendees in the field of genetics. Dr. Hilal Lashuel, Executive Director of QBRI, noted: “The National Day activities provide unique opportunities for QBRI scientists and staff to engage the public and increase awareness on the importance of understanding our genome and of improving the quality of healthcare in the country. This is crucial, as proactive engagement and mass public participation in biomedical research and national projects, such as the Qatar Genome Project and Qatar Biobank, are essential to successfully translate new discoveries into applications, products and treatment that will improve the quality of life and healthcare in Qatar.”

He added: “We plan to build on these activities and continue to explore different mechanisms to engage and educate the public on the work that is done at QBRI in hopes to inspire the next generation of scientists in Qatar. They are the future of biomedical research and Qatar.” Dr. Julie Decock, Post-Doctoral Researcher at QBRI commented: “To see the wonder on the faces of the children and hear the words ‘I want to be a scientist’ is what makes participating in the Qatar National Day celebrations so gratifying.”

QEERI has also organized an interactive exhibition at the Qatar National Day celebrations in the form of an inflatable observatory, inspired by its Fascination Astronomy project.  Funded by Qatar National Research Fund and in collaboration with the Supreme Education Council, the public engagement program involves QEERI scientists visiting schools in Qatar, spreading awareness of the science and provoking interest in astronomy.

At the exhibition, students learn basic information about the sun, planets and astronomy, linked to the Arab region’s rich heritage in understanding the universe and naming the stars. The display also mentions that two planets, discovered by QEERI’s acting executive director, Dr. Khalid Al-Subai, are named after Qatar.

Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), one of Hamad bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) three specialized national research institutes, recently organized a series of awareness raising campaigns that focused on the brain, breast cancer research, and diabetes.

QBRI’s community outreach programs help bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public, inspiring greater academic interest in biomedical science and encouraging individuals to be conscious of the importance of awareness of their health. The Institute organized a breast cancer awareness campaign in October, a diabetes awareness campaign in November, as well as a number of youth-focused events around brain awareness in December.

Dr. HilalLashuel, Executive Director of QBRI, commented: “QBRI is committed to playing an active and leadership role to improve the quality of healthcare in Qatar. Our community outreach and awareness campaigns represent essential elements of our strategy to engage the public as partners in our efforts to improve healthcare through the development of new approach for prevention, early detection and targeted and personalized treatment for diseases that affect the Qatari population.”

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Among Qatari women, breast cancer diagnosis is projected to increase 60% over the next six years, necessitating more awareness of the complex disease and the extensive research being conducted on its causes, prevention, and treatment.  In an effort to raise awareness about self-examinations and educate the public on research in the field, QBRI staff and researchers organized a series of public events and lectures in HBKU, Qatar University, and Villaggio shopping mall to educate the public about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, and to inform the public about latest medical breakthroughs and ongoing research activities at QBRI.

QBRI subsequently launched a campaign around World Diabetes Day in December. In collaboration with the Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA), QBRI scientists from its Diabetes and Obesity Research Center discussed causes and treatments for the disease at a public event. Dr. AbdelilahArredouani and Dr. Mohamed Dehbi from QBRI emphasized the importance of testing and early diagnosis, specifically for individuals with a familial history of the disease, in order to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes-associated micro and macro-vascular complications including cardiovascular disease, diabetes blindness, diabetes kidney failure and diabetes-related low limb amputations.

In response to public demand for information about the latest advances in stem cell-based therapies for the treatment of diabetes, QBRI’s Dr. EssamAbdelalim and Dr. Mohamed Emara also shared their insights about the most promising research discoveries and clinical trials being conducted on the ways in which stem cells may be used to treat diabetes patients. They also presented an overview of the stem cell research program at QBRI. 

Also in December, QBRI organized, in collaboration with the International Brain Organization (IBRO) and local institutions, a number of youth-focused activities for Brain Awareness Week, which is a global initiative to increase awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. The primary objectives of these activities were to share the excitement around the subject of brain research and to encourage young students to pursue future careers in science and brain research. Events ranged from a pre-school event, where children were able to use clay to sculpt the brain and asked to identify basic parts of it, to a Brain Talk competition encouraging 10-12 years old to create a 10-minute movie to discuss the parts of the brain. 

The first round of a Brain Bee, an annual international competition that has more than 150 branches in over 30 nations, was also organized by QBRI to test students in grades 9-12 on their understanding and knowledge of the brain. Aimed to increase the number of students interested in biology, the competition is considered to be the largest worldwide neuroscience competition and takes place at the local, national and international levels. This is the first year Qatar has taken part, with QBRI coordinating with schools around Qatar and organizing the various rounds.

Reflecting on his experience of the competition, Ahmad Emad, a student from MosaabbinOmair School in Qatar and a participant in QBRI’s Brain Bee, said: “I really enjoyed participating in the Brain Bee and found it to be both a challenging and a fun experience. I’ve never done something like this before and think the workshop and competition really helps those of us who are interested in medicine and biology prepare for our future.”

Dr Reem Al Olaby, who coordinated QBRI’s community-focused events, noted: “Community outreach and preparing the next generation of scientists in Qatar are crucial to what we do at QBRI. Ground-breaking research in biomedical science needs to be shared with the public as the end goal of many of our initiatives is to ultimately improve the health of the communities which we are a part of.” She continued: “In particular, by working with schools in Qatar, we hope to interest students in the sciences and teach how much of what researchers do extends beyond laboratories and into the lives of people and families around the globe.”

The Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), one of Hamad bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) three specialized national research institutes, is holding two unique training courses on Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis in an effort to help improve the healthcare system in Qatar and build the capacity of scientists and medical practitioners in the region. Upon completion, participants will be certified to be able to use two standardized Autism diagnostic tools in both clinical settings and research studies.

Taking place at the HBKU Student Center from January 19^th– January 27^th, the courses have been held in collaboration with autism consultants from Cambridge, UK, and cover key approaches to diagnosing autism through the use of interviews, coding, and observation. In collaboration with local stakeholders, QBRI selected twelve local researchers, autism specialists, and medical practitioners to take part in this course, including eight from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), seven from the Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs, and three representing QBRI. Dr.Walid Qoronfleh, Director of the Biotechnology Development at QBRI, noted: “Local participants who successfully complete the courses will be equipped to diagnose autism spectrum disorder. In fact, this training more than doubles the number of practitioners in the country trained to do so.”

As part of its effort to establish a regional autism research consortium, QBRI also invited three representatives from leading autism research centers in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Sudan to participate. Autism, characterized by deficits in social communication and repetitive and restrictive behavior, has a rising global prevalence rate; but across the Arab world there is limited data about the condition – something that researchers at QBRI are keen to rectify.

Dr. Fouad Alshaban, senior scientist at QBRI and organizer of the courses, commented: “QBRI is one of the pioneer institutions working in this area in this region and, with the support of Qatar National Research Fund) QBRI is leading two major projects to assess the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in Qatar. Successful collaboration with researchers in the Cleveland Clinic and Oregon Health and Science University has led to the development and validation of the first-ever Arabic language questionnaire for autism screening. The Arabic questionnaire can now be used throughout the Arab region, where often information about the prevalence of autism remains unknown”

He continued: “We expect 5-8% of the children we screen as part of our research project to score positive on an initial test. They then need further assessment to make a final diagnosis. This training gives more people the certified skills to conduct such further assessment. Therefore, we need more trained and certified clinicians and researchers to support autism research and clinical services in Qatar.

QBRI is committed to strategic partnerships with local stakeholders, including Hamad Medical Corporation, the Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs, and other autism centers in the country to establishing Qatar as a regional leader in autism research and innovation.” Participant, Dr. MadeehaKamal, who is a senior consultant pediatrician at HMC and an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, explained: “The training I’ve received has been highly applicable my work as a pediatrician. The quality of training has been excellent and the in-depth knowledge that has been shared with participants by the course instructors will benefit Qatar greatly in the future.”

Dr. Carol Stott, a UK-based chartered clinical psychologist, whose company “BeginningwithA” delivered the training, said: “The participants we’ve been working with have demonstrated a real willingness to engage with us and increase their knowledge in the area of autism diagnosis. It has been a pleasure working with a group of professionals who clearly want to broaden their knowledge of autism diagnostics in order to positively impact on the communities they work within.”

Dr. Hilal Lashuel, Executive Director of Qatar Biomedical Research Institute added: “QBRI is committed to establishing a regional center of autism research excellence that will contribute to improving early diagnosis, intervention and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. We plan to achieve this through the development of interdisciplinary research programs focused on the discovery of novel genes that cause or contribute to the development of autism, elucidation of novel disease mechanisms and the integration of novel technologies and innovation in eye tracking, speech recognition and robotics to improve early diagnosis and develop innovative intervention and treatment strategies for ASD.

“These programs will involve close collaborations between research scientists from different disciplines, including biomedical sciences, engineering, computational sciences, social sciences and robotics, and will also leverage the investment made in national projects such as the Qatar Genome Project, to position Qatar as a regional and global leader in autism research and innovation. “In our efforts to achieve our goals, we have benefitted from the active engagement, enthusiasm and commitment of scientists, clinicians, and autism experts from HMC, the Shafallah Center and Qatar University. Such collaborations ensure the effectiveness of our programs and are key to advancing the national research agenda in autism and mental health.”

To learn more about the work of QBRI and read publications by QBRI scientists, please visit http://www.qbri.org.qa/.

Qatar Foundation Research & Development’s (QF R&D) Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), and the Japanese Preventive Medicine & Diagnosis Innovation Program at RIKEN (RIKEN-PMI), have announced plans to establish joint research laboratories and programmes in Qatar and Japan, aimed at advancing preventive and personalised medicine in Qatar. At a recent meeting in Doha, QBRI signed a letter of intent with RIKEN, one of the world’s leading scientific innovators and Japan’s largest cutting-edge research institution. The agreement will establish joint programmes to carry out projects with academic researchers and hospitals in both countries.

Through this latest initiative, QBRI is contributing to Qatar Foundation’s mission to build Qatar’s innovation and technology capacity by improving and transforming healthcare through research in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting Qatar and the region. In April last year, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, accompanied by a delegation from Qatar Foundation’s Research and Development (QF R&D) – one of the main QF pillars – visited a number of research centres in Japan with the goal of increasing research and development collaboration between the two countries.

During the visit, Qatar Foundation and RIKEN signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a framework enabling the parties to expand scientific exchange in the fields of computing, energy, environment and biomedical research. The letter of intent signed in Doha is the first major initiative to bear fruit following Her Highness’ visit to Japan and marks the first Qatar-Japan research bridge programme in biomedical research and personalised healthcare.

Qatar has taken important steps to develop innovative personalised medicine, and through the partnership with RIKEN, QBRI is furthering Qatar’s capabilities in this field by moving research into practice. Personalised medicine uses very specific genetic information about a person or their disease in order to choose treatment and care that is tailored to individual or personal needs and preferences to ensure they have the best outcome possible.

QBRI is already engaged in basic and applied medical research that supports the translation of novel scientific discoveries into more efficient therapies and better preventative strategies for human diseases, leading to the development of personalised medicine. RIKEN-PMI will train QBRI scientists and facilitate the transfer of genomics technologies and expertise in transcription network analysis. Researchers will apply these skills to diagnostics and precision medicine to address health issues that prevail among the Qatari population.

The partnership’s first project will focus on breast cancer, the most common form of cancer in Qatar, and will be conducted in collaboration with researchers from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). QBRI and RIKEN-PMI will address the possibility of implementing the biomarker discovery project utilising RIKEN’s genomic technology to identify disease signatures. The project will include a joint research laboratory for molecular diagnostics in Qatar, which will enable researchers to discover new biomarkers and develop personalised preventive medical solutions.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr Hilal Lashuel, Executive Director of QBRI said: “This partnership is the first fruit of QF Chairperson Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser’s visit to Japan earlier this year. The programme is also the first Qatar-Japan research bridge in biomedical research and personalised healthcare, which we believe will benefit the Qatari population an improve personalised healthcare throughout the entire region. 

“This collaboration will compliment and extend ongoing research activity at Hamad Medical Corporation  and offers unique opportunities for the molecular study of cancer and familial patterns of disease in Qatar.” Professor Alexander Knuth, Medical Director and Chairman of Cancer Services at HMC added:“Rapid progress in treatment opportunities and outcomes through personalised medicine, is also anticipated enabling Qatar to offer excellence in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.” 

Commenting on the collaboration, Dr Yoshihide Hayashizaki, Director RIKEN-PMI, said: “This partnership is a milestone that marks a transitional stage in the field of medicine.  It comes at the optimum time since the accumulated scientific knowledge and developed technologies are going to be applied to clinical practice, and will no doubt have a strong impact in Qatar and beyond. “We appreciate this opportunity to collaborate with QBRI and through our commitment to cancer diagnosis we anticipate continuing breakthroughs as well as further developments in biomedical research in Qatar and elsewhere.”

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), formalizing an agreement that will see both entities harness their combined medical research capabilities. 

The agreement will also further enhance an environment in which clinical discoveries will be translated into practical applications for the benefit of patients more quickly. The MoU was signed by HMC’s Managing Director, Hanan Al Kuwari, PhD and QBRI Executive Director, Dr. Hilal Lashuel. The new agreement will boost the resources of existing research teams studying health problems like diabetes, cancer, degenerative diseases and genetic disorders and pave the way for new research studies. 

The MoU is expected to lead to further development of a skilled national healthcare workforce, providing numerous career and professional development opportunities for clinicians, researchers and faculty. Dr. Al Kuwari said the agreement emphasizes HMC’s and QBRI’s dedication to improving patient outcomes through research and innovation. “HMC and QBRI have shown a commitment to fostering a culture of translational research and evidenced-based care, which will ultimately lead to better overall patient outcomes across Qatar,” said Al Kuwari. 

“Combining the talents of both entities on joint projects is logical and consolidates the academic health expertise within the country’s medical community,” she added. Dr. Lashuel said the initiative was demonstrative of the country’s strengthening scientific and medical research capabilities. “This agreement is a catalyst for cutting-edge biomedical research, which is an essential element in today’s complex and evolving healthcare landscape. It reinforces Qatar’s position as a regional leader in biomedical research and scientific discovery,” said Dr. Lashuel.

HMC’s Chief of Scientific, Faculty, and Academic Affairs and chief policy advisor on academic health, Professor Edward Hillhouse said the agreement allows for the cross-appointed QBRI faculty to work closely with HMC clinicians and researchers. “Under the linked agreement, it provides access to HMC’s state-of-the-art research facilities. Reciprocally, cross-appointed clinicians from HMC will engage in basic and translational research activities at QBRI, in support of clinical enterprise at HMC,” said Prof. Hillhouse.

QBRI is the newest member of Qatar’s Academic Health System, a dynamic collaborative partnership of eight organizations that draws together Qatar’s leading healthcare, academic and research entities towards improving patient care and delivering innovative healthcare solutions.

Qatar Foundation Research and Development’s (QF R&D) Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) and the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) have established the IBRO-Middle East/North Africa (MENA) sub-regional headquarters in Qatar and designated QBRI as the host organisation. The announcement comes out of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Doha by QBRI and IBRO, one of the world’s leading global scientific, education and advocacy organisations in neuroscience.

The agreement supports Qatar Foundation’s mission to promote a culture of excellence in Qatar and the region, and innovate and build capacity to underscore Qatar’s pioneering role as an emerging centre for healthcare innovation in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030. Improved healthcare diagnosis, treatment and preventative approaches for different disorders, including illness relating to the brain, are a key area of focus of healthcare research conducted by QBRI.

The MOU jointly supports the planning, organisation and management of high level neuroscience schools, symposia, conferences or any other research and educational activities throughout the MENA region. It further encourages the development of partnership and networking opportunities between relevant regional stakeholder groups, including academia, industry, NGOs and government organisations. As part of the MOU agreement, IBRO has pledged financial support and will provide annual funding for IBRO-MENA Committee activities. The Committee’s objective is to support and promote the field of neuroscience suited to the needs of the MENA region, and Dr. Hilal A. Lashuel, QBRI Executive Director have been named as chair, and Dr. Omar El-Agnaf of Qatar Foundation’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has been chosen to serve as a co-chair.

Last month QBRI hosted the IBRO-MENA Neurogenetics School, "Genetic Basis of Neurologic and Psychiatric Disease," with the support of IBRO funding where students from Qatar and across the MENA region undertook theoretical and practical studies in neurogenetics. The school was followed by a landmark two-day neuroscience symposium, “Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders: From Mechanism to Therapeutic Strategies” which was the first of its kind to be held in Qatar. Researchers from Hamad Medical Corporation, HBKU, and QF partner university, Weill Cornell Medical College, participated as instructors and guest speakers and were instrumental to the success of both events.

Encouraged by this partnership, Dr. Hilal A. Lashuel, Executive Director of QBRI, commented: “This strategic partnership complements and extends ongoing QBRI neuroscience activity and offers unique opportunities for young scientists in Qatar and the MENA region. The partnership aims to create and support education and training programmes that are suited to local needs and promote neuroscience careers for young researchers in the region.”

Pierre J. Magistretti, IBRO President added: “We look forward to this very important collaboration with QBRI to promote neuroscience in the region. IBRO very much appreciates the coomitment of QBRI to host the MENA – IBRO office, a commitment that is a guarantee for success for this initiative” As part of its activities, QBRI also has a dedicated research programme focused on the understanding of the genetic causes of diseases and conditions in Qatar with a particular focus on autism, intellectual disability and epilepsy.

Professor Hilal A. Lashuel, Executive Director of Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), a research and development entity under Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), co-chaired The Brain Forum 2015 in Lausanne, Switzerland, last week. The annual global event highlighted the challenges and opportunities in translating scientific advances in neuroscience, computing, drug discovery, and brain research to new technologies, tools and treatments that will improve the quality of life and healthcare.

The Brain Forum 2015 was a joint partnership between the W Science Initiative and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. It was co-chaired by QBRI’s Professor Hilal A. Lashuel; Professor Patrick Aebischer, President of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne; Dr Walid Juffali, Chairman of W Science Initiative; and Dr Jamil Al-Imad, CEO of the W Science Initiative. The high-profile event was first launched in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2013.

As a key research and development entity, QBRI contributes to the mission of Qatar Foundation to build Qatar’s innovation and technology capacity by improving and transforming healthcare through scientific research in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. With the primary aim of addressing national priorities for growth and development, the work of QBRI also highlights Qatar’s role as an emerging global centre for healthcare innovation. The Brain Forum was founded on the principle that progress is achieved through dialogue, engagement and collaboration between all stakeholders involved in shaping the landscape and future of brain research.  

Commenting on the forum, Professor Lashuel said: “Towards achieving this goal, we sought to bring together leading scientific and academic experts from around the world, including philanthropists and leaders from the industry, funding agencies, and policy makers to share their knowledge and expertise with the aim of improving our understanding of the human brain in addition to finding new ways to enhance brain function and find treatments for neurological diseases that are threatening our society today.”

Professor Lashuel, one of the key individuals behind the development of The Brain Forum, is a founding member of the Scientific Advisory Committee and co-chaired the development of scientific programmes for The Brain Forum in 2013 and 2015. On the first day of the forum, Professor Lashuel chaired a panel discussion with some of the pioneers and scientific leaders behind major national and regional brain initiatives, including the US Brain Initiative launched by US President Barack Obama in 2013, the European Human Brain Project, The Allen Institute for Brain Science and the recently announced China Brain Science Project.

“It is truly amazing to think about what we have been able to achieve with our limited understanding of the brain today and what will be possible once these ambitious global initiatives achieve their goals. There is no doubt that advances in the interface of neuroscience, engineering and computer science during the next five to ten years will transform many aspects of our lives and bring new hope to those suffering from brain diseases,” Dr Lashuel concluded.