Supreme Health Council to open conference on genetic network

Manama, Mar. 15 (BNA): President of the Supreme Health Council Lieutenant General Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa will open on Saturday (March 17) at the Sheraton Hotel, in Manama, the first conference for genetic network in the Arab world entitled, "Human Genetics, Epigenetics, and Personalised Genomics". The event is organised by 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. The conference will continue till March 18 as part of the activities of the Arab Genetic Research Association which is based at Princess Al Jawhara Centre. It will attract keynote 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. 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 summary of 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.