Khalifa University has announced its plans to open a new research centre devoted to the study of biotechnology, which will be headed by renowned Emirati scientist, Dr. Habiba Al Safar.

The Khalifa University Centre for Biotechnology (KUCEB) will be a hub for research and development, encouraging interdisciplinary translational research with industry in order to develop the nation's pharmaceutical, healthcare, biotechnology and life sciences sector.

KUCEB will specifically focus on exploring health issues in families of Arab descent, and utilising existing resources such as DNA sequencing and bioinformatics that are already available.

The centre will also work to improve the understanding of disease in order to enable clinicians to promote, protect and preserve the wellbeing of families in the UAE. One of the missions of the centre will be to conduct a longitudinal investigation into various health aspects of individuals of Arab descent.

It will also focus on Cardio metabolic Syndromes, and risk factors associated with Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. It will work in collaboration with the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi's National Rehabilitation Centre and Abu Dhabi Police.

In addition to research into Type II Diabetes, the Centre will also look at Cardio metabolic Disorders, advanced disease diagnosis and drug delivery systems, Cellular Mechnobiology and Immunotherapy, Cardiovascular Regeneration, Electrocardiographic Markers Associated with cardiovascular diseases and cardiac safety and Moto sensory issues.

The Centre will have access to the Khalifa University based state-of- the- art human motion lab that explores the mechanisms involved in producing movement and maintaining balance.

"The establishment of the KUCEB is an exciting development for Khalifa University," said Khalifa University Executive Vice President, Dr. Arif Al Hammadi.

He added, "Encouraging innovation in the areas of health and life sciences is of vital importance to the future of the UAE, and is one of its key focuses as it moves towards the creation of the knowledge economy. The information that this centre will gather will hopefully help the UAE tackle several major health issues it's facing, such as obesity and the proclivity for Type II Diabetes amongst Arabs. These issues, if left unchecked, could cause major problems in the future, so it's our goal to provide information and guidance to doctors and medical practitioners to help them with their endeavours."
Source: WAM