Sara Al Khawaga, a PhD student at HBKU’s College of Health and Life Sciences, speaking at the symposium.
Doha: Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is participating as an academic partner at Sidra Medicine’s fourth annual Functional Genomics 2018 Symposium, held under the theme of Big Data to Clinic at the Qatar National Convention Center until tomorrow.
HBKU is represented through the participation of three of its science-focused entities, which are the College of Science and Engineering (CSE), College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS) and Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI).
The symposium provides a platform for experts to discuss cutting-edge advances in genetics, genomics and “big data” in the field of medicine. The interdisciplinary international community of attendees aims to assess how best to use big genetic and clinical datasets to provide novel insights into the biology of disease. Scientific challenges including implementation, scalable data infrastructures, and developing novel therapeutics, are some of the topics that are being explored.
Dr Omar Albagha, principal investigator at QBRI and professor of genetics at CHLS, participated with a cross-disciplinary host of speakers to address various aspects of genome variability and function, with a specific focus on the genetics of disorders affecting children, yesterday.
Sara Al-Khawaga, who is enrolled in CHLS’ PhD in Biological and Biomedical Sciences program, also conducted a session to discuss the Incidence, Clinical Spectrum, and Molecular Mechanisms of Permanent Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus in Qatar.
Edward Stuenkel, dean of CHLS, is co-chairing a session on Exploring the Consequences of Mutation in Model Systems. He will aim to list the advantages of utilizing animal models for gene discovery; describe the impact of non-self mutations in human disease; and explain what spatial transcriptomics can reveal about biology, today.
Kholoud Al Shafai, a PhD student at CHLS, will be co-moderating a Women in Science workshop to demonstrate the achievements of women in the field as they assume top positions.
Dr Henning Horn, assistant professor at CHLS, in a session titled The LINC Complex is Essential for Gametogenesis, which will discuss the characterization of recently discovered mutations that are linked to male infertility, tomorrow.
Throughout the symposium, CSE will be exhibiting at the HBKU booth and engaging with visitors with the aim of promoting the college’s ongoing work and programs.
Commenting on CHLS’ participation, Dr Edward Stuenkel said, “Sidra Medicine’s annual symposium provides a crucial platform to evaluate advancements in the field of genomics. We are looking forward to useful contributions at the symposium and to advancing our research in this area, while mutually benefiting from the wealth of expertise that surrounds us.”
