As part of its commitment to providing essential education and training to healthcare professionals, the College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) held a Genomics in Clinical Practice symposium. 

This symposium, accredited by Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners, was the first Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event of its kind hosted by the College. Specifically designed for healthcare practitioners such as physicians, trainee physicians, and medical residents, this one-day event traced the basic science behind genomics, genome sequencing technologies and their implications for patient care. In addition, the symposium highlighted available facilities and resources in Qatar and offered advice regarding the practical application of relevant technologies. High-profile international speaker, Dr. Andre Uitterlinden, professor of complex diseases at Erasmus University in the Netherlands, delivered a keynote address on how genomic studies are used for understanding the pathophysiology of complex diseases. 

Participants benefitted from insights provided by Qatar’s leaders in the field of genomics. The symposium’s speakers included: Dr. Ihab Younis, Carnegie Mellon University; Dr. Chidambaram Manickam, Sidra Medicine; Dr. Tawfeg Ben Omran, Hamad Medical Corporation; Professor Donald Love, Sidra Medicine; and Professor Said Ismail, Qatar Genome Programme. 

Speaking ahead of the symposium, Dr. Ayman Al Haj Zen, assistant professor at CHLS, said: “This event undoubtedly reflects the College’s multidisciplinary approach to research and discovery in the fields of biomedical sciences, genomics, and precision medicine. The subject matter also demonstrates that Qatar is increasingly influential in the study and application of genomics in clinical practice. It’s only right that this influence is backed up by initiatives to ensure the country’s healthcare providers are well-versed in current thinking and established practices. We’re looking forward to making this happen with our partners at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Genome Programme, and Sidra Medicine.”

The College of Health and Life Sciences regularly holds events to highlight its research activities and projects. For more information, please visit chls.hbku.edu.qa.