Research Publications - College of Medicine and Health Science

110
Genetics and Development
Research Priority Group
Mission of the Group
Consanguineous marriages are prevalent in UAE population and
therefore recessive single gene disorders occur more frequently
in the UAE than in other populations with over 160 recessive
disorders have been reported so far. In addition, local population
has a high frequency of alpha and beta thalassemia mutations
and hemoglobin S. Furthermore, the incidence of multifactorial
diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, certain cancers, neurodegenerative
and cardiovascular diseases have been steadily
rising in the UAE over the past few decades. This is mainly due
to the rapid socioeconomic growth and a significant rise in life
�������������������������������������������������������������������
diseases also suggest genetic predisposition to those diseases
revealed by rapid changes in lifestyle including diet.
The mission of the Genetics and Development Research Group is
to provide the highest quality research into the basis of genetic
diseases, provide high quality health care and education. In
������������������������������������������������������������������
of genetic, developmental and multifactorial disorders in the
country; (2) be the leading source of research into the causes and
pathogenesis of these disorders and (3) to seek new approaches
��������������������������������������������������������������
��������������������������������������������������������������
leaders by providing continuing professional development to
physicians with up to date courses and to educate the public by
providing information on different genetic disorders and approaches
to prevention.
The Group Principal Investigators and their Research Interests
Principal investigators members of the Genetics and Development
Research Group are affiliated to different departments
within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the UAE
University. The current membership of the group is:
Dr. Bassam R Ali (Pathology Department); Associate Professor of
��������������������������������������������������������������
Research Group
Research interests: (1) Elucidation of the molecular defects responsible
for genetic disorders in the UAE and Arab populations
(2) Establishing the cellular mechanisms of genetic disorders and