Conference on human genetics announced

Manama, Feb. 14 (BNA): Princess Al-Jawhara Al Ibrahim Centre for Molecular Medicine and Inherited Disorders at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), in cooperation with the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Council, is organising the first conference for the genetics network in the Arab world entitled, "Human Genetics, Epigenetics, and Personalised Genomics" as part of the activities of the Arab Genetic Research Association, which is based at Princess Al-Jawhara Centre. The conference will be held from March 17-18, 2018, with participation of prominent speakers from countries such as the US, New Zealand, Canada and Japan as well as various Arab countries such as the Kingdom of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq , Lebanon, Sudan and Jordan. Head of the conference, Chief Executive Director of Al Jawhara Centre, Dr Moiz Bakhiet affirmed that the conference will provide a great platform for clinicians to become acquainted with medical genetics and the importance of genomes and personalised genomics in order to access advanced care based on patients’ genome structures. Deputy Head of the conference, Head of the Scientific and Preparatory Committee, Molecular Genetics Specialist at Al Jawhara Centre, Dr Ghada Al-Kafaji, explained that the conference would present papers and conduct panel discussions on the recent developments in personalised genomics and genome patterns among Arabs. "The event aims to advance knowledge and to review innovations and developments in human genetics and clinical research ethics, as well as a regional experience in neonatal screening," she said. Meanwhile, the conference will shed light on "Epigenetics" and its role in the interaction between genes and diet in the development of chronic diseases, for the first time in the Arab world. This new and exciting science has never been presented at Arab conferences. Furthermore, the conference unites medical and molecular genetics scientists and doctors, researchers and other health professionals and companies interested in this science, to interact and build productive professional relationships. A workshop on strategic planning will be organised by the Arab Genetics Research Association on the side-lines, in a move to establish a strong, productive and effective network for genetics research and education in the Arab world.