Research Profile - College of Medicine and Health Science - United ...

Genetics and
Development
Research interests: Causes and mechanisms of
common diseases in Middle Eastern
populations
Prof. Tahir A Rizvi (Medical Microbiology
Department); Professor
Research interest: Retroviral/lentiviral vectors
for human gene therapy.
Dr. Hussain Saadi (Internal Medicine Department);
Associate Professor and Senior
Consultant Endocrinologist
Research interest: The genetic causes of
common diseases in UAE and Arab populations
Group activities for 2008
Most of the group activities for this year have
been focused on organizing the 2nd Al-Ain
International Genetics Conference, 28-30th
October 2008. The conference was held under
the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan
Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher
Education and Scientific Research and
Chancellor of the UAE University. The inaugural
address was delivered by Her Excellency Dr.
Fatima Al Shamsi, the UAE University Secretary
General stressing the importance of genetics
research to the UAE society. The opening
ceremony and the first session were held at
FMHS building and the rest of the conference
at Al-Ain Rotana Hotel. The relevance of the
conference is based on the fact that genetic
factors play a major role in the etiology of most
health problems affecting Middle Eastern
populations. According to the March of Dimes
Survey of 2006, most Middle Eastern countries
have the highest rates of birth defects in the
world, mainly due to genetic causes. In addition,
common diseases with clear genetic
predispositions such as diabetes, cancer and
age-related diseases are on the increase
worldwide. Therefore, a detailed understanding
of the genetic basis of birth defects, as well as
common diseases, is essential for the
development of better diagnosis, treatment
and prevention strategies. The conference
programme was focused on both the molecular
and cellular basis of those diseases and the
applications of new technologies and
knowledge, gained through extensive research,
for the benefit of the scientific community and
patients. The organizing and scientific
committees of the conference have set the
following aims:
1.To disseminate recent research findings in
human genetics among local, regional and
international scientists and clinicians with a
focus on the applications and molecular
mechanisms
2. To promote interactions between geneticists
and healthcare workers in the UAE and the
region for the benefit of families affected by
genetic diseases
3.To promote the practice of genetic
106