A Deeper Understanding
As one of the first countries in the region to initiate a population-based genome program, Qatar has been at the forefront of advancing precision health for more than a decade.
Human genome research has long used a Eurocentric lens, narrowing the possibilities of science and discounting people’s genetic diversity. Recognizing this gap, QF has been undertaking genomic research to better understand the health of Qatari and Arab populations. This has resulted in new data on genetic variations specific to the Qatari population, leading to a better understanding of the impact of variants on disease susceptibility, prevalence, progression, and responses to therapies.
Qataris - especially Qatari children living with previously undiagnosed diseases - now have better chances of survival and more possibilities of leading healthier lives.
As one of the first countries in the region to initiate a population-based genome program, Qatar has been at the forefront of advancing precision health for more than a decade.
Human genome research has long used a Eurocentric lens, narrowing the possibilities of science and discounting people’s genetic diversity. Recognizing this gap, QF has been undertaking genomic research to better understand the health of Qatari and Arab populations. This has resulted in new data on genetic variations specific to the Qatari population, leading to a better understanding of the impact of variants on disease susceptibility, prevalence, progression, and responses to therapies.
Qataris - especially Qatari children living with previously undiagnosed diseases - now have better chances of survival and more possibilities of leading healthier lives.
| Precision Health Research | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Whole genomes sequenced to date | 45,000 |
| Genomic data cataloged | 25,000 |
| Recruited participants for Qatar Biobank in 2024 | 6,000+ |
| Active Qatar Precision Health Institute research projects | 100+ |
| Health and medicine publications | 600+ |
| Granted patents in health and medicine | 5 |
+
Scaling Research and Practice
The official launch of Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI) solidified QF’s role as the national coordinating body for precision health in Qatar. QPHI is pivotal in translating cutting-edge genomics and other omics data and precision health best practices into research that directly benefits patients.
To improve diagnostics and treatment, QPHI is engaged with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in pharmacogenomics pilot projects across various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medications. In 2024, QPHI continued a clinical trial that generated 470 pharmacogenomic reports for cardiovascular disease patients in HMC Heart Hospital. Pharmacogenomic reports use genetic information to identify the right drug at the correct dose at the right time for patients. This initiative demonstrates QPHI’s contribution to precision healthcare and innovative solutions that have the potential to enhance treatment precision and reduce adverse drug reactions for patients.
QPHI has conducted multiple high-impact studies within the Qatar Genome Research Consortium, advancing the understanding of clinically actionable and Mendelian disease variants in the Qatari population. This has led to several medical breakthroughs, including pioneering a new treatment for a child with congenital hyperinsulinism (severe low blood sugar) by Sidra Medicine. In addition, over 6,000 people were recruited in the Qatar Biobank cohort study in 2024, creating a wealth of research and data that is expected to drive healthcare innovation in Qatar.
The official launch of Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI) solidified QF’s role as the national coordinating body for precision health in Qatar. QPHI is pivotal in translating cutting-edge genomics and other omics data and precision health best practices into research that directly benefits patients.
To improve diagnostics and treatment, QPHI is engaged with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) in pharmacogenomics pilot projects across various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medications. In 2024, QPHI continued a clinical trial that generated 470 pharmacogenomic reports for cardiovascular disease patients in HMC Heart Hospital. Pharmacogenomic reports use genetic information to identify the right drug at the correct dose at the right time for patients. This initiative demonstrates QPHI’s contribution to precision healthcare and innovative solutions that have the potential to enhance treatment precision and reduce adverse drug reactions for patients.
QPHI has conducted multiple high-impact studies within the Qatar Genome Research Consortium, advancing the understanding of clinically actionable and Mendelian disease variants in the Qatari population. This has led to several medical breakthroughs, including pioneering a new treatment for a child with congenital hyperinsulinism (severe low blood sugar) by Sidra Medicine. In addition, over 6,000 people were recruited in the Qatar Biobank cohort study in 2024, creating a wealth of research and data that is expected to drive healthcare innovation in Qatar.
| QF Graduates in Biology, Health and Medicine | Academic Year 23/24 |
|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar – Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences | 50+ |
| Hamad Bin Khalifa University – Master of Science in Genomics and Precision Medicine | |
| Hamad Bin Khalifa University - PhD in Genomics and Precision Medicine | |
| Hamad Bin Khalifa University – Master of Science in Biological and Biomedical Sciences | |
| Hamad Bin Khalifa University - PhD in Biological and Biomedical Sciences | |
| Hamad Bin Khalifa University – Master of Science in Exercise Science | |
| Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar – MD degree | 50 |
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Precision Progression
Qatar’s first-ever pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant program was unveiled in 2024 by Sidra Medicine, partnering with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – one of the world’s leaders in pediatrics. The program is focused on treating patients with various blood diseases and cancers.
Utilizing a multi-omics approach, work to advance other cancer therapies continued through the collaboration with HMC and QF. Sidra Medicine has also launched a state-of-the-art cord blood banking service, the nation’s first local cord and blood storage facility that offers families a unique opportunity to preserve their newborns’ stem cells in Qatar for potential future medical needs.
In collaboration with Sidra Medicine, HMC and QPHI, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) is also progressing toward applying precision medicine approaches for cancer patients and pediatric patients with immunodeficiencies and inflammatory disorders in Qatar.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Autism Sensing Center of Excellence (A-Sense) brings together multidisciplinary research in computing, medicine and education to delivery enhanced technology for Autism. A-Sense enables remote observation and assessment of autistic children to support early diagnosis and interventions to improve outcomes.
To further strengthen autism diagnosis and screening in Qatar and across the Arab world, HBKU also introduced an Arabic version of the Autism Risk Index in 2024. This index is a promising tool for early screening and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and, with this translation, it can more effectively benefit people in the Arabic-speaking world.
Qatar’s first-ever pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant program was unveiled in 2024 by Sidra Medicine, partnering with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – one of the world’s leaders in pediatrics. The program is focused on treating patients with various blood diseases and cancers.
Utilizing a multi-omics approach, work to advance other cancer therapies continued through the collaboration with HMC and QF. Sidra Medicine has also launched a state-of-the-art cord blood banking service, the nation’s first local cord and blood storage facility that offers families a unique opportunity to preserve their newborns’ stem cells in Qatar for potential future medical needs.
In collaboration with Sidra Medicine, HMC and QPHI, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) is also progressing toward applying precision medicine approaches for cancer patients and pediatric patients with immunodeficiencies and inflammatory disorders in Qatar.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Autism Sensing Center of Excellence (A-Sense) brings together multidisciplinary research in computing, medicine and education to delivery enhanced technology for Autism. A-Sense enables remote observation and assessment of autistic children to support early diagnosis and interventions to improve outcomes.
To further strengthen autism diagnosis and screening in Qatar and across the Arab world, HBKU also introduced an Arabic version of the Autism Risk Index in 2024. This index is a promising tool for early screening and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and, with this translation, it can more effectively benefit people in the Arabic-speaking world.
Leadership in Policy
QF has been actively shaping policy initiatives in the precision health field to make long-term contributions to societies globally.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, QF’s World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) and Policy Hub debuted the report ‘Childhood Obesity in Qatar: National Policy Proposal through Multisectoral Approaches’, which was launched during the WISH 2024 Summit and presented at a 2024 Cabinet meeting with an agreement to adopt policy recommendations relevant to the national obesity strategy. Advocacy for the policy recommendations will continue, and several recommendations will be piloted at QF schools, including a childhood obesity impact study and behavior/lifestyle programming.
In a pioneering move, the WCM-Q Institute of Population Health hosted the Global Alliance Lifestyle Medicine Leadership Forum in 2024. The culmination was the signing of the historic Doha Declaration, which emphasizes the necessity of a foundational understanding of lifestyle medicine for all health professionals to achieve the promise of whole health. It is also a significant step towards bringing lifestyle medicine to mainstream healthcare, recognizing its vital role in disease prevention.
QF has been actively shaping policy initiatives in the precision health field to make long-term contributions to societies globally.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, QF’s World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) and Policy Hub debuted the report ‘Childhood Obesity in Qatar: National Policy Proposal through Multisectoral Approaches’, which was launched during the WISH 2024 Summit and presented at a 2024 Cabinet meeting with an agreement to adopt policy recommendations relevant to the national obesity strategy. Advocacy for the policy recommendations will continue, and several recommendations will be piloted at QF schools, including a childhood obesity impact study and behavior/lifestyle programming.
In a pioneering move, the WCM-Q Institute of Population Health hosted the Global Alliance Lifestyle Medicine Leadership Forum in 2024. The culmination was the signing of the historic Doha Declaration, which emphasizes the necessity of a foundational understanding of lifestyle medicine for all health professionals to achieve the promise of whole health. It is also a significant step towards bringing lifestyle medicine to mainstream healthcare, recognizing its vital role in disease prevention.
