As part of its commitment to capacity building and developing future generations of scientists and researchers, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University has announced the dates for the 6^th cycle of its successful Summer Research Program (SRP).

Taking place each year, the SRP offers intensive research training opportunities in specific fields of biomedical research including cancer, diabetes and neurological disorders for exceptional undergraduate students. This includes hands-on laboratory research experience under the supervision of distinguished QBRI researchers in a supportive and knowledge-based environment. Participants will also take part in seminars, workshops and more informal activities organized by QBRI and other Qatar-based institutes. QBRI’s SRP will run for eight weeks in two distinct batches, specifically, May 3 to June 25 and May 17 to July 9. To be considered, applicants must be enrolled in a relevant undergraduate program and have a minimum graduate point average (GPA) of 3.0. Applications will be evaluated by QBRI’s selection committee based on specific criteria, including academic performance. The intensive nature of the program necessitates full-time participation.

The program is designed to develop students’ critical thinking, as well as enhance communication and team-building skills. In addition, participants will receive invaluable mentoring and career counseling throughout the program to support their educational goals and career development. Speaking about the program, Dr Omar El-Agnaf, executive director at QBRI, said: “We are proud to build on the continuous success of our Summer Research Program for the  sixth consecutive year, and we always look forward to developing and delivering the program. It is exciting for our scientists to mentor and influence students who come with an open mind and a natural enthusiasm for biomedical research, and will go on to become future scientists.”

The application process for Qatar Biomedical Research Institute’s Summer Research Program can be found at https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/srp2020. In keeping with Qatar’s National Health Strategy and the Qatar National Research Strategy, QBRI aims to improve and transform healthcare through innovation in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the Qatari population and the region.

The ongoing global fight against COVID-19 provided the context for two recent webinars organized by Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).

Taking place September 15, COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Perspective provided an overview of global epidemiological trends and different public health approaches employed to tackle the virus. Discussions also focused on the apparent lack of rapid and timely community-centered approaches for confronting COVID-19. In doing so, the webinar highlighted how weak public health structures might have contributed to the high number of cases and fatalities in many countries.

The webinar was delivered by Dr. Saverio Stranges, who is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University in Ontario, Canada. In January 2020, Dr. Stranges was also nominated as Vice-President of the Chronic Diseases Section within the European Public Health Association (EUPHA). He has published extensively in the area of chronic disease epidemiology, with over 200 publications as scientific articles, reviews and book chapters. The webinar also featured Dr. Eric Arts, Professor in Microbiology and Immunology – Drugs and Vaccine Development Research. This webinar was moderated by Dr. Paul John Thornalley, Director of the Diabetes Research Center at QBRI.

COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Perspective was followed on September 28 by Singapore's Early Planning and Response to COVID-19. The webinar began by analyzing prior outbreaks of serious illnesses, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Special emphasis was placed on the financial costs as well as lessons learned ahead of future outbreaks and pandemics. From there, the webinar turned to Singapore's early planning and response to COVID-19 and adjustments made as the pandemic evolved.

Singapore's Early Planning and Response to COVID-19 was delivered by Dr. David Allen, an Associate Professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore and moderated by Dr. Prasanna Kolatkar, Senior Scientist at QBRI. Earlier this year, the infectious disease specialist co-hosted COVID-19: Updates from Singapore, a weekly webinar series detailing the city-state’s response to the pandemic.

Speaking about the webinars, Dr. Omar El Agnaf, Executive Director, QBRI, said: “While COVID-19 is a shared global concern, there’s no unified approach to confronting the virus. Through relevant webinars, we aim to share knowledge and best practices. In this respect and much like Qatar, Singapore offers an interesting example of what can be achieved when state and public health actors respond in a stealthy and timely manner. Both qualities will grow in importance as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds.”

For more information about Qatar Biomedical Research Institute and its centers, please visit qbri.hbku.edu.qa

Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is set to benefit from technology transfers with two leading companies in the field of proteomics, furthering its mission to innovate and transform healthcare. Both arrangements reflect that the proteomics core represents one of the Institute’s main research core facilities and enabling platforms.

Through the terms and conditions of the agreements, QBRI is working with Singapore-based Sengenics and Sweden’s Olink Proteomics and established both these certified proteomics core technology platforms at its research facilities. The platforms expand QBRI analytical capabilities and assist researchers engaged in protein-based activities by providing access to high throughput affinity-based proteomics assays.

These state-of-the-art platforms are used for research purposes to drive the discovery of novel biomarkers at early and late stages of disease progression, which can serve as tools for prognostics and diagnostics. The ability of proteomics data sets to provide insight into disease progression makes it crucial for precision medicine approaches where diagnostic, therapeutic and monitoring treatments are tailored to specific patients through integrating research findings into clinical data. QBRI aims to support its research programs through its analytical proteomics platforms particularly in the field of precision medicine. This will pertain to several diseases and disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and other neurological diseases, diabetes and cancer. A knowledge base will be built to better guide individualized patient care for prevention, diagnosis and disease treatment, leading to better management of diseases in the Qatari population.

In addition to pure analytical capabilities, the proteomics core facility also offers additional services; including technological consultation, custom sample preparation and data analytical solutions. These services like other QBRI core services are available to both local and international stakeholders.

QBRI’s agreement with Olink involves certified usage of its Protein Biomarker Discovery technology, which includes 13 different panels, each focused on a specific area of disease or key biological process. Olink’s groundbreaking panels for precision proteomics help scientists make research decisions more quickly and confidently through robust, multiplex biomarker analysis. In addition, the high-quality multiplex immunoassay panels help bring new insights into disease processes, improve disease detection, and contribute to a better understanding of biology.

QBRI has also signed a strategic technology transfer agreement with Sengenics that gives access to its patented KREX^TM protein array technology for autoantibody biomarker discovery, based on the detection and identification of novel autoantibodies in plasma or serum. The KREX^TM technology enables a better understanding of disease pathology. KREX^TM can also be used to identify autoantibody biomarkers for early diagnosis of cancer, autoimmune, neurodegenerative or infectious diseases, which can guide better treatment and deliver upon the vision of precision medicine.

The agreement with Sengenics entails QBRI serving as the sole service provider of Sengenics services in Qatar, with exclusive licensing rights for the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as India, Pakistan and Turkey. Commenting on both partnerships, Dr. Omar El-Agnaf, Executive Director, QBRI, said: “It’s an honor to be working closely with two leaders in proteomics technologies. Their platforms will not only ensure that QBRI is at the forefront of relevant research activities but also enhance its ability to detect, diagnose and analyze the progression of diseases, and contribute to development of precision medicine in Qatar.

Dr. Houari Abdesselem, Laboratory Manager, QBRI, said: “We have established the agreements, built the platforms’ facilities and are now working to make them operational for exciting research activities. We’re determined to make full use of both platforms’ analytical and experimental capabilities. Together, these services will benefit our determination to better prevent and treat diseases affecting the people of Qatar and populations further afield.” The proteomics core play an important role in launching QBRI interdisciplinary research programs, it complements the other QBRI core facilities and enables QBRI to conduct cross disciplinary research which improves understanding of links between different diseases. 

QBRI houses seven state-of-the-art core facilities that actively support scientific research by providing advanced research technologies and services to the research community in Qatar and worldwide. The core facilities include stem cells, genomics, proteomics, structural biology, flow cytometry, advanced microscopy and imaging, in addition to clinical research cores. The facilities are located in the same building as QBRI’s research centers and form an integral element of QBRI’s ambitious goals in driving visionary and innovative research in Qatar. For more information about QBRI and its research centers and core facilities, please visit qbri.hbku.edu.qa