Boosting efforts to find out ways to prevent different diseases in the country, researchers at Sidra Medicine are making headway in Precision Medicine by entering the first stage of the process, Gulf Times has learnt. 

“Precision Medicine has started to become a reality in many areas already. In our research at Sidra Medicine, the first stage -- identification of mutation factors that are associated with the diseases -- is already under way. As a result of our research, we may be able to identify diseases that are not yet known,” said Prof Christof Von Kalle, chief research officer, Sidra Medicine.
“We have several areas of focus in our research programme. One such area is Precision Medicine, which focuses on prevention of diseases, and another one is our genetic programme, as partners of the Qatar Genome Programme,” he continued.
Prof Kalle said a number of biomedical research projects are being conducted at Sidra Medicine, a pioneering high-tech, state-of-the-art women’s and children’s healthcare organisation in the country. 


Prof Christof von Kalle

Prof Kalle, an internationally renowned scientific leader in stem cell research and the treatment of rare genetic diseases, was appointed as the chief research officer of Sidra Medicine in May this year. As a physician scientist with a clinical background in cancer research, he has published over 150 high-impact publications.
“What Sidra Medicine is focusing on is identifying the disease components that are specific and relevant for the Qatari population and residents of the country. The research is translational by nature, as it is put into practice. Whatever new treatments or researches being conducted, are correctly implemented to reach the patients or population for whom they are intended,” explained Prof Kalle.
“The idea of Precision Medicine is to identify the actual background of the disease in each individual early and intervene quickly to optimally mange them. Some of the areas where Precision Medicine is very effective are in neurological diseases and abnormalities that require surgical intervention. We also focus on some that fall in the category of metabolic diseases,” described the chief researcher officer.
“Globally speaking, we are at a more advanced stage in the understanding of the genome than ever before. We not only know the code but also the genes, which often give hints about which part or function or mechanism is behind a disease. It leads towards a greater understanding of why the disease manifests and how it can be treated,” noted the official.
He also said another area within the research remit of Sidra Medicine through Precision Medicine on a global level is cancer. 
“Cancer is always associated with genetic changes in the cells that form cancerous tissues. Genes are inherited through the family and by looking at the genes, we will be able to identify the symptoms of cancer especially among children. The cure rate in children’s cancer is very high about 80%. And the remaining 20% is an area of major concern that needs more work, which we are involved in,” he added.

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