The Qatar Genome Program (QGP) – an ambitious population-based project aimed at positioning Qatar among the pioneering countries in the implementation of precision medicine --signed a strategic research and development agreement with Genomics England, which will enable pioneering scientific discoveries providing medical insights in genomics and precision medicine.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) lays foundation for Qatar and the United Kingdom to develop a joint collaboration focusing on areas of research in genomics that can have a global impact.
The MoU will facilitate several research activities between QGP and Genomics England, such as establishing common frameworks to standardise genomic strategies for implementation in healthcare, evaluation of new technologies for whole genome sequencing, cross-analysis of national data-sets and exchange of expertise related to educational programmes.
QGP, a member of Qatar Foundation and part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation, is generating large databases combining whole genome sequencing and other omics data with the comprehensive phenotypic data collected by Qatar Biobank, enabling researchers to make breakthrough discoveries and help policymakers to better plan for future healthcare directions in Qatar.
QGP’s efforts in collaboration with Qatar Biobank, which collects samples from citizens and long-term residents and with Sidra Medicine, which facilitate DNA sequencing, ultimately aims at precision medicines, providing better future health and enabling Qatar to become a regional hub for advanced healthcare.
QGP is supporting genomic researches targeting national priority diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Developing a comprehensive Qatari genotyping array, the Q-Chip, incorporating locally relevant gene variants identified from whole genome sequence data of thousands of samples, the first phase of which was completed last year with the handing over of the Q-Chip to
H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser on November 13, during the opening ceremony of World Innovation Summit for Health in Doha, is another major target of the project.
Genomics plays a vital role in treating rare diseases, which often have a genetic component. In about 80 percent of rare diseases, changes to DNA are involved in the cause. So identifying the genotype-phenotype associations relevant to a particular population will have a huge impact on the population by enabling the development of personalised healthcare for that particular population.
The State of Qatar is investing heavily in education and healthcare as the leaders of the country are well aware that a healthy society empowered with excellent education is the real wealth and power.
QGP is a unique project in the region which involves large-scale investment and participation of researchers who are highly qualified and with exceptional skills and experience. The vision of the leaders of the Qatar, who are wholeheartedly dedicated to the service and betterment of the country, truly deserves applause.
