All posts by Abdullah Zafar

Research Matters, Stories of Hope

Autism expert seeks innovative treatment methods

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a growing health concern around the world and is estimated that it impacts 1 in every 58 children globally. Research indicates that the disease manifests very early in development which requires early diagnosis and intervention.

Dr Mohammed Uddin from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, an expert in the etiology of autism and neurodevelopmental disorder genetics, is leading a study to develop ‘An in vitro system to characterise recurrent pathogenic deletions in autism spectrum disorder’.

Each child impacted by autism carries a different genetic signature; therefore, a targeted personalised molecular approach is necessary. This research is immensely important to implement a translational core for autism genome and to guide personalised therapeutics. Dr Uddin hopes this study will be a step forward for genome sequencing projects and will enable the translation of clinical relevance of the mutated genes.

The team now have a comprehensive list of genes that are associated with ASD and have successfully completed gene editing experiments. Due to the relevant and important nature of the work, Al Jalila Foundation has funded this research to continue the process of conducting multiple characterisation experiments on the knockout CRISPR/Cas9 cell lines that can then be used by other scientists in the country.

To learn more about this and other Al Jalila Foundation research please click here.

Newsletters

The Year of Courage, Hope and Resilience

December 2020
This year began with an unprecedented global health crisis, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has affected every person around the world. 2020 has certainly tested us all as it brought our world to a complete standstill as we experienced movement restrictions, many lost their livelihoods and, sadly, some even their loved ones. And even so, despite the losses and the challenges we have faced, we have witnessed great learning, incredible innovation and, more than anything else, a united global front and togetherness to fight the virus

Stories of Hope

Bismah’s life is powered by hope

At 4-years-old Bismah, a highly talented child, began to develop serious health problems and deteriorated to the point that she could no longer walk or play like other children. After admission to the hospital she was diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune connective tissue disease, juvenile dermatomyositis, in which only 1 to 4 cases occur per million children. As a connective tissue disease, if left untreated it can cause significant disability and high-risk mortality. Patients must undergo rigorous medical care under close supervision to stabilise their condition and support their recovery.

Coincidently, in addition to this rare disease she was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus which too had developed complications and required vital treatment and care. The medical team at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital put together an extensive treatment plan for Bismah and Al Jalila Foundation provided the financial support the family needed to save their daughter’s life.

The family has expressed their gratitude: “We cannot say thank you enough for the support Al Jalila Foundation has been to our daughter. She has transformed from when she arrived at the hospital unable to stand and she then came back home running.”

Bismah is responding to the treatment well and is a happy care-free child.

Research Matters, Stories of Hope

Local diabetes research is vital to fight the disease

Despite the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the UAE, approximately 1 in 5 of the population suffers from the disease, epidemiological data about diabetes incidence and subgroups in the UAE in general, and particularly the Northern Emirates (Sharjah/Ajman), is very limited.

Al Jalila Foundation research grant recipient Professor Nabil Sulaiman from University of Sharjah is leading a pioneering local research study ‘All new diabetics in Sharjah & Ajman [ANDISA]: An epidemiological and genetic study toward individualized medicine (phase II)’ to find answers.

Clinical data such as the response of diabetes subgroups to different modes of treatment and the prevalence of diabetes complications in these subgroups have not been investigated yet.

This study aims to enroll new diabetic patients aged 13 to 65 years in Sharjah and Ajman to collect basic, clinical, genetic and immunological data from a newly diagnosed population of diabetics to improve diagnostic categorisation rates and develop personalised treatment.

This groundbreaking study represents the first step towards precision medicine in diabetes in the UAE. Through the findings it will provide better diagnosis and better personalised care for diabetic patients at a lower cost.

It is through investing in studies like this, Al Jalila Foundation aims to create a brighter future for diabetic patients.

To read more about this and other research click here.

Press Release

Mohammed Bin Rashid Medical Research Institute, an initiative of Al Jalila Foundation, awards AED2.5 million to advance COVID-19 research in the UAE

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, announced today that it has awarded AED2.5 million in seed grants to five UAE-based medical researchers. The COVID-19 research grants in the areas of genetics, therapies and diagnosis are the first to be awarded under the auspices of the recently inaugurated Mohammed Bin Rashid Medical Research Institute to help enhance the UAE’s capacity to address the pandemic and other viral diseases in the future.

The research awards were presented by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, during a ceremony at Al Jalila Foundation.

The award recipients are highly talented scientists from some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the UAE including United Arab Emirates University, University of Sharjah, Al Ain University and Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital.

During the event, Al Jalila Foundation engraved the name of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on a first-of-its-kind donor recognition wall called Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed. The donor recognition wall pays tribute to the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum’s philanthropic legacy and honours generous donors who invest in medical research.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, said the Foundation’s efforts to advance medical research support the UAE leadership’s vision for the future of healthcare and the high priority they place on scientific and medical fields.

“The Foundation’s initiatives reflect its strong commitment to enhancing the capabilities of the country’s healthcare system by supporting research organisations and talented scientists as well as forging cooperation with international research entities and public and private sector institutions in the UAE. The Al Jalila Foundation is keen to work with medical institutions to enhance the UAE’s readiness to face health challenges, the most critical of which is the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when the world is racing against time to find solutions for eradicating the virus, well-funded research efforts are critical to mitigate current and future health and economic challenges,” he added.

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised the efforts of Al Jalila Foundation and the researchers who received grants for their commitment to advancing research to combat COVID-19.

His Highness said: “Dubai is committed to supporting research in healthcare and medical fields as part of the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to transform the UAE’s growth and development through new knowledge and innovation. Exploring new possibilities and breakthrough discoveries in healthcare and medical sectors is key to the UAE’s and Dubai’s efforts to create future-ready economic and social systems that are geared to meet the evolving needs of a post-COVID world. Al Jalila Foundation’s efforts to promote COVID-19 research is consistent with Dubai’s strong strategic focus on these sectors and its commitment to creating long term value by advancing the frontiers of learning and science.”

Her Excellency Dr. Raja Al Gurg, Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation, commented: “We are proud to support the nation’s efforts to combat COVID-19. These research awards are testament to our commitment to adapting to the changing needs of the medical landscape to ensure the health and safety of our people. “Our investment in medical research reaffirms our commitment to embed research and innovation in the fabric of the nation’s long-term healthcare strategy.”

“By supporting talented scientists and investing in research, we are developing the next generation of innovators in health sciences and paving the way for medical breakthroughs to save lives.” Dr Raja added.

The applications were assessed through a competitive two-stage review process that included independent international peer reviews by experts from the world’s most renowned medical institutions across the globe from USA, Belgium, Norway, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, Italy, India, UK, and Australia. The process was overseen by the Al Jalila Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee which is made up of some of the most brilliant minds in the region. They worked with an international peer review panel to award research grants to the most deserving scientists. The reviewers were handpicked as leading experts in their specific field of research, in line with the commitment from Al Jalila Foundation to grow a biomedical research ecosystem in Dubai built on international best practice.

Out of 91 applications, five were selected to receive grants of up to AED500,000 each.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, added: “The COVID-19 global outbreak has amplified the need to invest in pioneering medical research. Now, more than ever, we are counting on scientists and doctors coming together to develop better diagnostic testing, treatments, and gain a better understanding of the coronavirus and other viral diseases. We are delighted with the incredible response we have received from the scientific community and confident about the contributions this round of research grants can make to support the fight to combat COVID-19.”

Each research project has strong collaborations with scientists and researchers in the UAE and abroad, with the engagement of over 40 co-investigators from renowned research institutions across the globe. Collectively, the principal investigators have co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious international journals. The research projects comprise of multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, scientists, and medical students from major academic and health entities in the UAE and abroad, including geneticists, epidemiologists, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, pulmonologists, and such. They have outstanding expertise and resources to contribute to Al Jalila Foundation’s mission to support the UAE Government in its fight against COVID-19.

Since inception in 2013, Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives, has provided opportunities to increase innovative and impactful medical research investing AED28 million to award 101 research grants and eight international research fellowships at leading global institutions in the UK, USA and Japan to discover solutions for the region’s biggest health challenges.

Summary of research projects that received grants:

Diagnosis

Dr. Farah Mustafa, from United Arab Emirates University, aims to characterize microRNAs induced during different stages of COVID-19 as biomarkers for better diagnosis, disease prognosis, and development of novel RNA-based therapies against COVID-19.

Genetics

Professor Rabih Halwani, from University of Sharjah, is determining inborn errors of immunity associated with life-threatening COVID-19 infections in previously healthy young individuals.

Dr. Ahmad Abou Tayoun, from Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, is studying the genetics of COVID-19 in children and young adults in the UAE.

Therapies

Professor Taleb H. Al-Tel, from University of Sharjah, aims to develop novel and nature-inspired therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19 by inhibiting the proteins and enzymes of the virus that are responsible for host-cells entry and for the replication of the virus inside the human cells.

Dr. Mohammad Ghattas, from Al Ain University, is discovering new drug candidates as potential treatments for COVID-19 via targeting the main protease enzyme (Mpro) of the virus.

Newsletters

Research Saves Lives

November 2020
Today, I am excited to share the progress Al Jalila Foundation is making in our continued efforts and commitment to advance medical breakthroughs to transform lives. This unprecedented year called on us to address and be a part of the solution to the COVID-19 pandemic and we responded by opening a dedicated research cycle. We are proud to announce that we have just awarded the first Mohammed Bin Rashid Medical Research Institute grants to 5 scientists investigating ways to combat the Coronavirus disease

Stories of Hope

Webinar empowers parents of children of determination

Among many of the challenges faced this year, education and distance learning has been one of the hardest. Hundreds of thousands of students in the UAE embarked on online learning for the first time, many of whom were children of determination who require a little extra care and support. This meant parents around the country desperately needed better tools and understanding to continue to support their children through these unprecedented times.

In line with the Ta’alouf program values to empower parents and teachers of children of determination, Al Jalila Foundation hosted a live webinar presented by Autism Specialist Teacher and Certified Trainer Shaikha Salem AlKaabi from Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination. The webinar focused on exploring the most important strategies to help children with autism spectrum disorder adapt to their environment, including preparing a structured schedule and a productive routine for them while studying at home.

The webinar was attended by more than 350 parents from 17 countries all eager to do their best to support their children through home schooling.

Shaikha AlKaabi was encouraged by the participation and said: “These wonderful parents gained tangible benefits from the online workshop and can now use their skills to prepare activities so their children continue to flourish during these difficult times.”

Stories of Hope

Pink Ribbon Crafters paint the town pink

Pink Ribbon Crafters is a group of passionate volunteers and artisans who create handmade items from knitted toys, candles to jewellery sold in exchange for donations to support breast cancer research and patient treatment in the UAE. 100% of proceeds are donated to Al Jalila Foundation in partnership Brest Friends.

The volunteers, many of whom are breast cancer survivors, work tirelessly throughout #PINKtober to sell their goods online, setting up stalls at various venues, giving awareness talks and promoting their online fundraising campaign on YallaGive. In 2019 alone the Pink Ribbon Crafters raised AED 180,000 to fund patient treatment and invest in vital medical research to find a cure.

Lina El-Sharif, Co-Founder of Pink Ribbon Crafters and a 2-time breast cancer survivor, is passionate about helping fellow breast cancer patients on their road to recovery “The community created by this project is beyond magical. We have over 70 volunteers aged between 14 to 80 years old sharing one purpose: to help women battling breast cancer.”

Follow @PinkRibbonCrafters on social media to find out more about their #PINKtober activities and where you can buy pink handmade goods to give hope to breast cancer patients.

Stories of Hope

Mother finds hope to fight breast cancer

When Melany (39) discovered she had breast cancer, like many others, she was completely overwhelmed by the diagnosis. As she sought the appropriate medical treatment she discovered she was pregnant and despite the disease she was overjoyed to welcome a new baby.

Even as a strong young woman, the treatment plan would not be straight forward as she was now considered a ‘high risk pregnancy’ and her first priority was to protect her baby. In addition to their growing family she had no idea how they would be able to afford the full treatment plan.

Through faithfully researching ways to make it all possible the family found the support they so desperately needed from Al Jalila Foundation and Melany was admitted to Dubai Hospital in mid July where she was able to undergo lifesaving surgery to remove the cancerous tumor. During that same hospital visit, Melany delivered a healthy baby boy through a caesarean section to ensure the newborn’s safety.

Melany’s husband, Eduard, expressed, “On behalf of my whole family I offer much gratitude to Al Jalila Foundation for helping my wife and our baby. The team showed us great compassion and never hesitated to help us in our time of need. We felt comforted by a great family here in UAE. Truly you are a great Foundation with a big heart.”

Melany continues on the road to recovery with her supportive husband and strong baby boy.

Research Matters, Stories of Hope

Research investigates links between sleep and depression

According to the World Health Organization depression, a mental disorder accompanied by low self-esteem, loss of interest and low energy, continues to be on the rise globally.

Unfortunately, current treatment methods are only effective on 50% of patients and even for those who do respond well it can take weeks or months to see any improvement.

With new therapeutic avenues needed, Al Jalila Foundation research grant recipient Dr Dipesh Chaudhury from New York University Abu Dhabi conducted a study ‘Sleep less smile more: understanding the cellular mechanism of sleep deprivation-induced rapid reversal of depression’ to tackle depressive disorders.

Sleep deprivation has been effective in rapidly alleviating depressive symptoms in around 70% of patients who are resistant to medication. However, it is not a viable long-term strategy. This study investigates how sleep deprivation alleviates depression symptoms in rodents using the chronic social defeat stress paradigm; special focus was given to the neurophysiological changes in neural circuitry involved in the circadian system and sleep-wake centres of the brain.

Scientists have researched how you sleep but the data on why we need it is still not clear. Studies like this bring us closer to finding the answers to many mental health issues. To learn more about this study please click here.