Abu Dhabi – Sandooq Al Watan, the national initiative launched by prominent Emirati businessmen to support research projects for the post-oil era, is partnering with the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) to promote research into Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The research project is the second to be awarded under the SWARD programme, part of Sandooq Al Watan’s Researcher.ae platform. Now in its second cycle, SWARD seeks to bridge the gap between academia and industry in the UAE to deliver tangible social and economic outcomes to the country. It supports projects across four priority areas: Aerospace and Defence, Water Management, Healthcare and Genomics, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
His Excellency Mohamed Al Qadhi, General Manager of Sandooq Al Watan, said: “Sandooq Al Watan has set a strategic goal for itself to cooperate with various government and private-sector entities in the UAE to drive forward our mission and offer all forms of support to innovative researchers with ideas to ensure the UAE’s sustainable development.”
“In line with the Year of Tolerance and the Special Olympics that was hosted in the UAE we believe this project is extremely important to people of determination and the community, and we are delighted to be working with the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences to strengthen research into Autism Spectrum Disorder, which affects 1 in every 59 children” H.E. added. “The advanced research we look forward to fostering in partnership with the University is part of our endeavours to build a knowledge-based national economy and enhance the UAE’s contribution to the global R&D output.”
For his part, Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Dean of College of Medicine and Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at MBRU, said: “We are very excited by the opportunity to partner with Sandooq Al Watan in their support of research at MBRU. We are particularly proud of our medical students who are part of the scientific team led by Dr. Mohammed Uddin. Research is a key strategic pillar for MBRU, and we firmly believe that advancing the research agenda in the UAE is critically dependent on partnerships and support from the community at large.”
The programme seeks to address complexities surrounding the correlation between genetics and ASD, and to implement a robust machine intelligence (MI) algorithm to decipher the polygenic risk factor of ASD by computing gene-gene interactions from genomic data. The cutting-edge design of the proposed project integrates human genetics and genetic engineering with MI and, ultimately, translates knowledge into therapeutics and healthcare.
At present, there are no biologically driven therapeutic options for ASD that can affect the core symptoms. Meanwhile, costs related to caring for the health and social needs of individuals with ASD in UAE are as high as AED40,000 per month. The programme allows us to identify polygenic risk factors and proteins that respond to therapeutics, which enables us to more comprehensively evaluate the underlying pathophysiology and promote precision-medicine-driven treatments for ASD.
The joint research project is part of the SWARD programme, itself under the umbrella of Sandooq Al Watan’s Researcher.ae platform, which seeks to support R&D across all sectors, including aviation and space travel, water management and genomics, among others, to come up with innovative solutions, patents or prototypes that can create the next generation of highly competitive UAE companies to rival international giants like google, Tesla and others.
-Ends-
About Sandooq Al Watan:
Sandooq Al Watan is a community initiative launched by a group of prominent Emirati businessmen that seeks to promote a sense of social cohesion in Emirati society. The initiative aligns with the UAE leadership’s vision for a sustainable development and a better future for the country and its citizens. It is rooted in the UAE’s national values of charity, generosity and social solidarity, and synchronises community efforts to forecast and plan for the future. It seeks to steer investments into the UAE’s human capital with projects and initiatives that focus on the strategic sectors that most affect people’s lives. The fund reflects the private sector’s commitment to social responsibility and highlights its critical role in supporting development projects, initiatives, entrepreneurs and innovators. Sandooq Al Watan supports talented individuals, provides professional guidance for young Emirati professionals, supports start-ups that seek to make a positive social impact, and promotes research and innovation.
For more info, visit sandooqalwatan.ae
About Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) is Dubai Healthcare City’s first medical university which aims to be a global hub for innovative and integrated healthcare education and research at the service of humanity.
MBRU offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees through its two colleges, Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine (HBMCDM); the first college established under MBRU, which has a number of specialty dental postgraduate programs. The second college of the university is the College of Medicine for undergraduate medical students offering a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program.
MBRU’s MBBS program is a six-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery program, were students benefit from a homegrown curriculum, a student-centered medical education, diverse faculty-body, innovative facilities with fully equipped multi-disciplinary labs (research and anatomy), a comprehensive medical library, and the UAE’s largest simulation center. At MBRU, we educate our students to innovate, research, empathize and lead to serve humanity.
Our mission at MBRU is to advance health in the UAE and the region, through an innovative and integrated academic health system, that is nationally responsive and globally connected, serving individuals and communities.
Queen's University Belfast is MBRU’s international academic partner. The partnership includes quality assurance in the provision of advice and guidance on curriculum development, recruitment of staff, student selection, and admissions, among other areas.
MBRU continues its commitment to develop healthcare professionals for the UAE to compliment the Dubai Plan 2021 and UAE’s 2021 vision. Through MBRU’s programs, the university aims to produce a high-caliber of physicians who will serve the people, society, enhance their experience, make Dubai a destination of choice and contribute positively to the economy thus creating a ‘City of Happy, Creative and Empowered People’ and ‘Smart and Sustainable City’.
For more info, visit www.mbruniversity.ac.ae.
© Press Release 2019Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
