UAE Genetics Diseases Association (UAEGDA), which aims to control population-specific genetic disorders, will establish its research facilities at the nucleotide lab complex in the premises of DuBiotech.

Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech) is a member of Tecom Investments and a major life sciences hub in the emirates.

The new UAEGDA centre will aim to support the setting up of a DNA laboratory at DuBiotech, in collaboration with Professor Yukio Hattori and his team from Yamaguchi University of Japan, which will serve as a reference DNA Laboratory, providing confirmatory tests of ongoing national projects.

In addition, the new facilities will provide research opportunities for Emirati students through PhD programs and training platforms for students of health sciences from Zayed University and higher colleges of technology. The facilities will also be utilised to conduct conferences and workshops in molecular biology in the UAE

“UAEGDA strongly represents the region’s science and technology expertise that is poised to dramatically improve human health care in the years to come,” said Marwan Abdulaziz, director of DuBiotech Park.

“For DuBiotech, this is a vital step in developing and expanding services that will eventually support a range of collaborations between genetic service providers and those in related sciences,” he added.

“We are delighted to welcome UAEGDA to our cluster, joining more than 55 companies that have already signed up with DuBiotech to establish their presence at the park.”

“DuBiotech provides an ideal location for UAEGDA to establish its operations, offering a winning combination of accessibility, practicality and expandability,” said Dr Maryam Matar, the executive director of UAEGDA.

“The services offered by the region’s leading life sciences park will significantly augment our research capabilities, contributing to achieving our objectives of minimizing hereditary medical conditions,” he added.

Research and development as well as pharmaceutical companies are expected to be the key beneficiaries of the advanced technical and community infrastructure at DuBiotech that is poised to accelerate the growth of the life sciences industry in the Middle East.

The initiative aims to create new job opportunities for Emirati researchers; extending diagnostic service facility on request from the Government sector and to be utilized as a platform for molecular biology projects funded by other designated organizations.

DuBiotech currently hosts some of the world's best known pharmaceutical companies including Amgen, Aspen Healthcare, Merck Serono, and Pfizer. Such top-tier brands and the regional expertise will help the life sciences park establish itself as a centre of excellence for collaborations, and for the training and development of local talent in the scientific field.

By the end of this year, DuBiotech is expected to host nearly 70 companies and boast over 225,000 sq feet of research space in the laboratories and 450,000 sq ft of office space in the commercial area. – TradeArabia News Service