Qatar University (QU) scientists have made a major breakthrough in the field of precision medicine, offering new hope for the treatment of chronic diseases. In a recent study published in Pharmacology and Translational Science by the American Chemical Society, researchers from QU Health revealed the potential of Apabetalone (RVX-208).The innovative epigenetic therapy, which targets the way genes are turned on or off in human bodies without changing the DNA sequence, is poised to transform the treatment of cardiovascular, renal, neurological, viral, and cancer disorders by addressing their underlying causes.Epigenetic treatments like Apabetalone block specific harmful proteins, reducing their production. Apabetalone is the only such inhibitor that has been granted a breakthrough therapy designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outside the area of oncology.Dr Zaid al-Ma'ayah, assistant professor Pharmacology and Toxicology at QU, leading the study, said: “This work represents a new era in medicine, focusing on using epigenetics to regulate the transcription of genes involved in cardiovascular, infectious, and cancer disorders. In addition to this work, we have made numerous intriguing experimental discoveries regarding the new applications of this epigenetic therapy, which we will soon share with the scientific community. We are sincerely thankful to the College of Pharmacy and QU Health Sector for their support of our work.”Unlike traditional treatments that target just one part of a disease, Apabetalone takes a revolutionary approach by working earlier in the process and affecting many biological functions. It blocks proteins that play a role in disease development, creating a new way to treat chronic illnesses. This method improves how cells communicate locally and throughout the body, leading to better overall health and wellness. This marks a major advancement in medical science.Because of the high impact of changes in how genes work, especially when certain proteins are modified, the researchers wanted to see how Apabetalone could help in early tests with animals. They plan to look into using Apabetalone with other treatments to make it even better at protecting health. As Apabetalone moves through clinical trials (tests in people), continued preclinical research is essential to fully understand its potential across various diseases.This cutting-edge study was enriched by the dedicated efforts of Hevna Dhulkifle, a QU Health graduate student, whose contributions were integral to the study’s findings. Dhulkifle remarked: “The state-of-the-art research facilities and the fostering environment in QU have greatly enriched my academic journey. The recent review is a testament to the university's commitment to stay at the forefront of scientific advancements. I am truly grateful to learn from and work with some of the brightest minds in the field.”The study, funded by an internal grant from QU, highlights the university’s commitment to staying at the forefront of scientific research. The support of the university has allowed researchers to explore new frontiers in epigenetic therapies, offering hope for the future of precision medicine.

Hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon Tuesday, killing at least nine people and wounding some 2,800 in blasts the Iran-backed militant group blamed on Israel.There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the wave of explosions, which came just hours after Israel announced it was broadening the aims of the war to include its fight against Hezbollah along its border with Lebanon.The sons of Hezbollah lawmakers Ali Ammar and Hassan Fadlallah were among the dead.The blasts "killed nine people, including a girl", Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad said in a casualty update._____________________________Read also:Chaotic scenes outside Lebanon hospitals, on streets after pager blastsUS says 'not involved' and 'not aware' in advance of Lebanon pager blasts_____________________________He added that some "2,800 people were injured, about 200 of them critically" with injuries mostly reported to the face, hands and stomach.The 10-year-old daughter of a Hezbollah member was killed in east Lebanon's Bekaa Valley when his pager exploded, the family and a source close to the group said.Tehran's ambassador to Beirut was also wounded in a pager explosion but his injuries were not serious, Iranian state media reported.In neighbouring Syria, 14 people were wounded "after pagers used by Hezbollah exploded", said a Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.Hezbollah blamed Israel for the blasts and warned it would be punished.The United States, Israel's top arms provider and close ally, was "not involved" and "not aware of this incident in advance", said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.The afternoon blasts hit Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon and dealt a heavy blow to the militant group, which already had concerns about the security of its communications after losing several key commanders to targeted air strikes in recent months.Hezbollah had instructed its members to avoid mobile phones after the Gaza war began and to rely instead on the group's own telecommunications system to prevent Israeli breaches."Hundreds of Hezbollah members were injured by the simultaneous explosion of their pagers" in the group's strongholds in Beirut's southern suburbs, in south Lebanon and in the eastern Bekaa Valley, a Hezbollah source said.Since October, the unabating exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon have forced tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border to flee their homes.Not formally declared as a war by Israel, the exchanges of fire between Israeli troops and Hezbollah have killed hundreds of mostly fighters in Lebanon, and dozens on the Israeli side.On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned that failing a political solution, "military action" would be "the only way left to ensure the return of Israel's northern communities".Before the wave of pager explosions, Israel said it killed three Hezbollah members in a strike on Lebanon.'Israel sabotaged the pagers before delivery'Israel apparently infiltrated a supply chain to cause the simultaneous explosion of hundreds of Hezbollah pagers, analysts say. Israel had corrupted the devices before delivery, allowing them to explode at a specific time, they said. "The pagers that exploded concern a shipment recently imported by Hezbollah of 1,000 devices, which appear to have been sabotaged at source. One of the factories Israel owns manufactured and shipped these explosive devices that exploded today, " analysts said.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived yesterday in Ottawa, on an official visit to Canada.His Highness the Amir was welcomed upon arrival at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport by Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen; Qatar's ambassador to Canada Dr Khalid bin Rashid al-Hamoudi al-Mansouri; Canadian ambassador to Qatar Isabelle Marie Catherine Martin, along with the Qatari embassy staff.His Highness the Amir is accompanied by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani and an official delegation. (QNA)