The Qatar Genome Programme (QGP) has appointed Dr Said Ismail, an award-winning industry expert, as its manager.
Incubated by Qatar Biobank, QGP was announced in 2013 by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation and vice chairperson of the Supreme Council of Health, during the World Innovation Summit on Health (WISH) 2013.
The QGP, currently in its pilot phase, differentiates itself from other disease-based research organisations in the region in that it is a population-based initiative using specimen and population samples gathered by Qatar Biobank. Managed by the Qatar Genome Committee, QGP uses expertise and equipment from Sidra Medical and Research Centre.
Dr Ismail, a PhD holder from the University of Oxford, brings over 20 years of experience in molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics and a focus on the screening and characterisation of disease related mutations in the Arab population, with specific emphasis on cancer and drug response to different types of the disease.
“The power of our efforts in collaboration with Qatar Biobank may result in the prevention, early detection and treatment of prevalent diseases amongst the local population. Our work, with the collaboration of the Qatari community, will enable the development of personalised healthcare in Qatar, which is the future of medicine,” said Dr Ismail.
Dr Ismail is also the president and co-founder of the International Society on Aptamers.
Dr Said Ismail
