Doha: Qatar Genome Programme (QGP), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) and part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation, has signed a strategic research and development agreement with Genomics England, aimed at enabling novel scientific discoveries and providing medical insights in genomics and precision medicine.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the 2015 building (QF Headquarters) by Dr. Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President for Research, Development, and Innovation at Qatar Foundation, and Professor Mark Caulfield, interim CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Genomics England. The agreement lays the foundation for Qatar and the UK to develop a joint collaboration focusing on areas of research in genomics that can have a global impact.

“This partnership aims to foster our shared goals for advancement of precision medicine and to facilitate common genomic research initiatives,” said Dr. O’Kennedy.

“Together we can push the boundaries further towards a new era of medical practice, where genomics can play a central role."

Professor Caulfield said: “Genomics is a global, multi-stakeholder endeavour transforming healthcare. This collaboration will help expand the legacy of the 100,000 Genomes Project beyond the UK, and will allow us to better serve the diverse population of the UK. We are excited to share our expertise, and equally excited to learn from the approach of the Qatar Genome Programme.”

The MoU outlines a number of research activities between QGP and Genomics England, such as establishing common frameworks to standardize genomic strategies for healthcare implementation; the evaluation of new technologies for whole genome sequencing; the cross-analysis of both national datasets; and the exchange of expertise related to educational programs.

Commenting on the importance of the agreement, Professor Asmaa Al Thani, Board Vice-Chairperson of Qatar Biobank and Chairperson of QGP, said: “This agreement will see our two projects benefiting from a strategic alliance and the pooling of research talent and resources from both nations. The programme will also hopefully generate key industrial partnership opportunities enabling vital medical insights and breakthroughs.”

Attending the signing ceremony, His Excellency Mr. Ajay Sharma, Her Majesty's Ambassador to the State of Qatar, said: “I am delighted that the Qatar Genome Programme and Genomics England are signing this Memorandum of Understanding. The partnership between these leading institutions in genomic research will, I am sure, make an important contribution to tackling the healthcare challenges of today and tomorrow.

“This is another example of how the UK and Qatar are working together on Qatar National Vision 2030; and how this collaboration is of benefit to both our countries and others.”

The two entities will work together to share ideas, policies and regulations, technical expertise, and bioinformatics tools, and also to exchange staff, data and expertise in the field of genomics.

To learn more about QGP, visit www.qatargenome.org.qa 

For more information about Genomics England, visit www.genomicsengland.co.uk 

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About Qatar Genome Programme:
The Qatar Genome Programme (QGP) is an ambitious population-based project aiming to position Qatar among the pioneering countries in the implementation of precision medicine. The project is generating large databases combining whole genome sequencing and other omics data with the comprehensive phenotypic data collected at Qatar Biobank. The wealth of such data empowers researchers to make breakthrough discoveries as well as help policy makers to better plan for future health care directions in Qatar.

For more information about the Qatar Genome Programme, please contact:
Abed Shirzai, +974 7021 8259, abeds@bljworldwide.com 

Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential

Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non-profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to serve the people of Qatar and beyond by providing specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of education, research and development, and community development.

QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who shared the vision to provide Qatar with quality education. Today, QF’s world-class education system offers lifelong learning opportunities to community members as young as six months through to doctoral level, enabling graduates to thrive in a global environment and contribute to the nation’s development.

QF is also creating a multidisciplinary innovation hub in Qatar, where homegrown researchers are working to address local and global challenges. By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and fostering social engagement through programs that embody Qatari culture, QF is committed to empowering the local community and contributing to a better world for all.

For a complete list of QF’s initiatives and projects, please visit: www.qf.org.qa

For any media inquiries, please contact: pressoffice@qf.org.qa

© Press Release 2019

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