The Emirati Genome Program (EGP), the world’s first dedicated program to ever study the Arab genome, has expanded its reach with new collection centres that have been added through NMC Healthcare’s network in Abu Dhabi.

In addition to already existing collection centres which include the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, Al Towayya in Al Ain, Al Ain Convention Centre and CurePlus Medical Centre, Al Ain, citizens in the Emirates can now participate in the program by visiting NMC Healthcare’s network in Abu Dhabi, which includes NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, Bareen International Hospital, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain, NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi and NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.

The announcement was made at NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, where senior officials toured the facility and officially marked their collaborative efforts.

Michael Davis, Chief Executive Officer- NMC Healthcare, said: “The Emirati genome program is a ground-breaking initiative by the DOH to design targeted healthcare solutions which are precise and will address not only futuristic healthcare needs but also deliver safer healthcare.”

The program aims to provide preventive and personalized healthcare for the Emirati population. This will be achieved by understanding citizens’ genetic makeup to deliver the next wave of key innovations that holds the promise for a healthier local community for the present and future generations.

G42 Healthcare experts have already built the first de novo Emirati reference genome based on DNA samples from 1,000 UAE nationals. The reference genome will be used as a type-standard to study the genetic makeup of citizens and advance the prediction, prevention, and treatment of disease for the benefit of both present and future generations.

Ashish Koshy, CEO of G42 Healthcare said: “We are pleased to partner with NMC Healthcare and expand the program’s collection centres in Abu Dhabi. The more participants the Emirati Genome Program attracts, the more comprehensive the reference data available to medical researchers becomes.

“Collaboration is central in the success of the EGP, with everyone having a key role to play - from citizens’ participation, to partnering with researchers, academics, and healthcare professionals to analyze the data, in addition to working with regulators to ensure that we follow the correct protocols to create community-wide awareness around the value of genomics.” – TradeArabia News Service