This team focuses on the identification of biomarkers for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes and is interested in finding markers to predict the occurrence of diabetes in order to prevent it. They use data from the Qatar Biobank to investigate the relationship between diabetes or obesity and the salivary amylase activity.

The team is also investigating the molecular mechanisms that underly the positive effect of the glucagon-like-peptide 1 receptor agonists, such as Exendin-4, on hepatic steatosis and uses whole transcriptome sequencing to study the role of long non-coding RNAs in this effect.

Additionally, in collaboration with experts in machine learning and biostatics, the team also develops risk models for diabetes and prediabetes. 

Research Team

Dr. Abdelilah Arredouani

Senior Scientist

Qatar Biomedical Research Institute

Dr. Olfa Khalifa

Postdoctoral Researcher

Qatar Biomedical Research Institute

Neyla Al Akl

Senior Research Associate

Qatar Biomedical Research Institute

Dr. Noor Ali Al-Maslamani

Senior Research Associate

Qatar Biomedical Research Institute

Current Projects

Association of Low Salivary Alpha Amylase Activity with Risk of Diabetes and Obesity

Identification of Markers Associated with Prediabetes in Lean and Obese Individuals in the Qatari Population

Role of Long Non-coding RNAs in the Positive Effect of the GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Hepatic Steatosis in Vitro

Mechanisms Underlying the Improvement of NAFLD by GLP-1 Agonists

Latest Publications

Pubmed
1- Neyla Al-Akl, Ian R. Thompson, Abdelilah Arredouani. High plasma Salivary α-amylase, but not high AMY1 copy number, associated with low obesity rate in Qatari adults: cross-sectional study. scientific reports, 2020 Oct 21, 10(1), doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-74864-6
2- Mostafa Abbas, Raghvendra Mall, Khaoula Errafii, Abdelkader Lattab, Ehsan Ullah, Halima Bensmail, and Abdelilah Arredouani. Simple risk score to screen for prediabetes: A cross-sectional study from the Qatar Biobank cohort. Journal of Diabetes Investigation, 2020 Oct 19, doi: 10.1111/jdi.13445
3- Olfa Khalifa, Neyla Al-Akl, Khaoula Errafii, and Abdelilah Arredouani. Non-coding RNAs in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: potential diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers. Disease Markers, 2020 Aug 27, doi: 10.1155/2020/8822859
4- Abdelilah Arredouani, Abdoulaye Diane, Namat Khattab , Ilham Bensmail, Imad Aoude, Mohamed Chikri , Ramzi Mohammad, Abdul Badi Abou-Samra, Mohammed Dehbi. DNAJB3 attenuates metabolic stress and promotes glucose uptake by eliciting Glut4 translocation. scientific reports, 2019 Mar 18, 9(1), doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-41244-8