Dr. Mohammad Haris, Principal Investigator in Sidra's Translational Research Division, is driving MRI research development in Qatar
Doha, Qatar [May X, 2014] - Sidra's Research Team has taken part in several ground-braking studies to advance imaging research development in Qatar and internationally.
The main goal of Sidra's imaging research is to develop innovative imaging technology to better understand the various human disease pathologies in vivo, help clinicians to diagnose the diseases in their early stages and monitor the therapeutic responses more precisely.
Sidra took part in the world's biggest imaging research conference, the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), in Milan, Italy for the first time last month. ISMRM promotes innovation, development and application of magnetic resonance techniques, an imaging technique used in radiology to investigate the anatomy and function of the body, in medicine and biology throughout the world. Seven ground-breaking research abstracts, in which Sidra researchers made significant contributions, were accepted for discussion and poster presentations.
In addition, Dr. Mohammad Haris, Principal Investigator in Sidra's Research Division, delivered a talk on his new MRI methodology to image the proteases enzyme activity in cancerous tissues. This is the first time when the cancerous protease activity can be monitored in vivo at high resolution. "Since the malignancy and aggressiveness of cancer is highly correlated with the protease enzymes expression, it is possible to image and quantify the aggressiveness of the cancerous tissue in in vivo using this new imaging method," said Dr. Haris. "Such technique will provide clinicians advance information about the tumor aggressiveness and will help in better clinical management of patients."
Apart from his talk, he and his group from University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. also presented the works focused on the quantification of metabolites changes, as well as redox potential changes in various pathologies using MRI.
Besides leading the Sidra at International conferences, Dr. Haris, along with his peer at the University of Pennsylvania, published the first imaging research papers with Sidra's affiliation in peer reviewed journals that help advance breast cancer diagnosis techniques and determine cartilage integrity in vivo.
The ultimate goal is to transfer these new cutting-edge MR techniques to clinical setup and improve the health of the population.
About Sidra Medical and Research Center
Sidra Medical and Research Center, currently under construction in Doha, Qatar, will be a groundbreaking hospital, research and education institution, focusing on the health and wellbeing of women and children regionally and globally. Sidra will be a fully digital facility, incorporating the most advanced information technology applications in clinical, research and business functions. Sidra will initially have 400 beds with infrastructure to enable expansion to 550 beds in a subsequent phase.
Sidra represents the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser who serves as its Chairperson. The high-tech facility will not only provide world-class patient care but will also help build Qatar's scientific expertise and resources. Sidra will be funded by a US$7.9 billion endowment from Qatar Foundation, one of the largest endowments of its kind in the world.
Sidra is part of a dynamic research and education environment in Qatar that includes leading international institutions, such as Sidra's academic partner Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. Through strong partnerships with leading institutions around the world, Sidra is creating an intellectual ecosystem to help advance scientific discovery through investment in medical research.
Sidra will have a unique working structure with inter-professional collaboration at the heart, providing the best holistic care for patients and an unparalleled learning environment for its medical professionals. Sidra will combine the best in design, technology, operations and practices from medical centers around the world - to offer its employees an environment that is at once familiar and extraordinary.
For further information, please contact:
Doha, Qatar (EST +7 hours)
Anya Kotova
Email: akotova@sidra.org
Tel: +974 6693 4995
© Press Release 2014
