New research center will be headed by leading Emirati scientist Dr. Habiba Al Safar.
Khalifa University has announced its plans to open a new research center devoted to the study of biotechnology which will be headed by renowned Emirati scientist Dr. Habiba Al Safar. The Khalifa University Center for Biotechnology (KUCEB) will be a hub for research and development encouraging interdisciplinary translational research with industry in order to develop the nation’s pharmaceutical Healthcare biotechnology and life sciences sector.
KUCEB will specifically focus on exploring health issues in families of Arab descent and utilizing existing resources such DNA sequencing and bioinformatics that are already available. For example the center will use a DNA databank compiled by center head Dr. Al Safar which is linked to a family registry that houses important clinical data for the purpose of genetic association studies.
KUCEB will also work to improve the understanding of disease in order to enable clinicians to promote protect and preserve the wellbeing of families in the UAE. One of the missions of the center will be to conduct a longitudinal investigation into various health aspects of individuals of Arab descent. It will also focus on Cardio metabolic Syndromes and risk factors associated with Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. It will work in collaboration with Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Abu Dhabi’s National Rehabilitation Center and the Abu Dhabi Police.
In addition to research into Type II Diabetes the Center will also look at Cardio metabolic Disorders advanced disease diagnosis and drug delivery systems Cellular Mechnobiology and Immunotherapy Cardiovascular Regeneration Electrocardiographic Markers Associated with cardiovascular diseases and cardiac safety and Moto sensory issues. The Center will have access to the Khalifa University based state of the art human motion lab that explores the mechanisms involved in producing movement and maintaining balance.
“The establishment of the KUCEB is an exciting development for Khalifa University ” says Khalifa University Executive Vice President Dr. Arif Al Hammadi. “Encouraging innovation in the areas of health and life sciences is of vital importance to the future of the UAE and is one of its key focuses as it moves towards the creation of the knowledge economy. The information that this center will gather will hopefully help the UAE tackle several major health issues it’s facing such as obesity and the proclivity for Type II Diabetes amongst Arabs. These issues if left unchecked could cause major problems in the future so it’s our goal to provide information and guidance to doctors and medical practitioners to help them with their endeavors.”
“Khalifa University has a vested interest in supporting and incubating research and development in the UAE ” said Senior Vice President Research & Graduate Studies Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla. “As a research driven university we are keen to provide our students and faculty with the best opportunities to engage in new and innovative studies and explorations. Opening research centers is one way to directing funds and cutting edge technology to the right people so that they can focus on their projects. The field of health and biological sciences is one of the most important areas of research that the university is focusing on as part of its strategic plan which is in line with the Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision and the national strategy for innovation”
Dr. Al Safar is currently an Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Khalifa University and has recently been recognized as one of the most powerful women in the Arab world by ArabianBusiness.com. The Emirati researcher came in 52nd for her extensive work with Type II Diabetes specifically into identifying genetic and environmental risk factors associated with diabetes. She was also recently awarded the 2014 L’Oreal-UNESCO Fellowship Award for Women in Science as well as having received the first Emirates International Award for Genetic Diseases Prevention in the category of Best Scientific Researcher in the field of Genetic Diseases Prevention. She established the family registry as a means of identifying traits that lead to Type II Diabetes amongst local families.
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New research center will be headed by leading Emirati scientist Dr. Habiba Al Safar.
Khalifa University has announced its plans to open a new research center devoted to the study of biotechnology which will be headed by renowned Emirati scientist Dr. Habiba Al Safar. The Khalifa University Center for Biotechnology (KUCEB) will be a hub for research and development encouraging interdisciplinary translational research with industry in order to develop the nation’s pharmaceutical Healthcare biotechnology and life sciences sector.
KUCEB will specifically focus on exploring health issues in families of Arab descent and utilizing existing resources such DNA sequencing and bioinformatics that are already available. For example the center will use a DNA databank compiled by center head Dr. Al Safar which is linked to a family registry that houses important clinical data for the purpose of genetic association studies.
KUCEB will also work to improve the understanding of disease in order to enable clinicians to promote protect and preserve the wellbeing of families in the UAE. One of the missions of the center will be to conduct a longitudinal investigation into various health aspects of individuals of Arab descent. It will also focus on Cardio metabolic Syndromes and risk factors associated with Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. It will work in collaboration with Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Abu Dhabi’s National Rehabilitation Center and the Abu Dhabi Police.
In addition to research into Type II Diabetes the Center will also look at Cardio metabolic Disorders advanced disease diagnosis and drug delivery systems Cellular Mechnobiology and Immunotherapy Cardiovascular Regeneration Electrocardiographic Markers Associated with cardiovascular diseases and cardiac safety and Moto sensory issues. The Center will have access to the Khalifa University based state of the art human motion lab that explores the mechanisms involved in producing movement and maintaining balance.
“The establishment of the KUCEB is an exciting development for Khalifa University ” says Khalifa University Executive Vice President Dr. Arif Al Hammadi. “Encouraging innovation in the areas of health and life sciences is of vital importance to the future of the UAE and is one of its key focuses as it moves towards the creation of the knowledge economy. The information that this center will gather will hopefully help the UAE tackle several major health issues it’s facing such as obesity and the proclivity for Type II Diabetes amongst Arabs. These issues if left unchecked could cause major problems in the future so it’s our goal to provide information and guidance to doctors and medical practitioners to help them with their endeavors.”
“Khalifa University has a vested interest in supporting and incubating research and development in the UAE ” said Senior Vice President Research & Graduate Studies Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla. “As a research driven university we are keen to provide our students and faculty with the best opportunities to engage in new and innovative studies and explorations. Opening research centers is one way to directing funds and cutting edge technology to the right people so that they can focus on their projects. The field of health and biological sciences is one of the most important areas of research that the university is focusing on as part of its strategic plan which is in line with the Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision and the national strategy for innovation”
Dr. Al Safar is currently an Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Khalifa University and has recently been recognized as one of the most powerful women in the Arab world by ArabianBusiness.com. The Emirati researcher came in 52nd for her extensive work with Type II Diabetes specifically into identifying genetic and environmental risk factors associated with diabetes. She was also recently awarded the 2014 L’Oreal-UNESCO Fellowship Award for Women in Science as well as having received the first Emirates International Award for Genetic Diseases Prevention in the category of Best Scientific Researcher in the field of Genetic Diseases Prevention. She established the family registry as a means of identifying traits that lead to Type II Diabetes amongst local families.
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