The Centre for Arab Genomic Studies (CAGS), a division of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, is currently preparing a pioneer event in Dubai as it organizes the First Pan Arab Human Genetics Conference from 4 to 6 April 2006. The conference burgeoned from the objective of CAGS to provide a platform for dialogue and education on issues related to human genetics and to bring together Arab and International experts to set the priorities for research on genetic disorders in the region. One of the most important attractions of the conference is the participation of the Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) for the first time in such an event in the region. The Human Genome Organisation is the group behind the international Human Genome Project, which started in 1990 and completed the map of the human genome by 2003.

 

Fundamental Approaches in Molecular Diagnosis of Hemoglobinopathies

April 4, 2006

 

The scientific program of the conference will be preceded by a workshop, organized by the Department of Health and Medical Services (DoHMS) in association with the Centre for Arab Genomic Studies, on Fundamental Approaches in Molecular Diagnosis of Hemoglobinopathies (April 4, 2006) at the Genetic and Thalassemia Center, Al Wasl Hospital, Dubai. Experts with extensive experience of molecular detection of hemoglobin disorders will conduct the course. The laboratory workshop program focuses on genome analysis in various monogenic disorders starting from basic DNA detection and analysis, DNA fingerprinting, and automated DNA sequencing followed by interpretation of results. Workshop seminars include lectures on molecular medicine, methods and techniques in molecular biology, and molecular characterization of hemoglobin disorders.

 

 

First Pan Arab Human Genetics Conference

April 5-6, 2006

 

The opening ceremony of the First Pan Arab Human Genetics Conference will be held at 10 AM on April 5, 2006 at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai. The scientific program of the conference includes 23 lectures given by 20 speakers distributed in four sessions from 5 to 6 April 2006. Topics that will be covered in the conference include: 

 

- Population genetics

- Genetic disorders in the Arab World

- Genetics of mental retardation

- Clinical and genetic characteristics of dysmorphologies

- Genomics

- Genetics of breast cancer and leukemia

- Genetics of blood disorders

- Cytogenetics

- Consanguinity in the Arab world and the interest of consanguineous families in understanding genetic disorders

- The Islamic perspective towards human cloning, stem cell research, and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis.

 

Speakers in the conference include a faculty of renowned Arab and International scientists. Arab speakers consist of members of the executive committee of CAGS as well as all members of the newly formed Council of CAGS representing Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Tunisia.

 

Despite the fact that the conference is Pan Arab, international speakers are also numerous and represent important institutes active in human genetics. Three speakers will represent the Human Genome Organisation. These speakers are:

 

- Prof. Hans-Hilger Ropers, Member of the HUGO Council and Director of the Max-Planck Institute for Human Genetics (Berlin, Germany).

- Prof. Nick Yankovsky, Chairperson of the HUGO Education Committee and Head of the Genome Analysis Laboratory, Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Science.

- Prof. Sue Povey, from the University College London and Chairperson of the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee.

 

Other International speakers represent Cambridge University (UK), University of Bonn (Germany), and the European Neuromuscular Center (The Netherlands).

 

Expected audience of the conference includes healthcare providers, pediatricians, clinical geneticists, molecular biologists, molecular geneticists, as well as graduate and undergraduate students in medicine and health-related fields. The conference will host an exhibition in which CAGS, HUGO, and leading organizations and companies working in the field of human genetics will be represented.

 

More information and updates on the First Pan Arab Human Genetics Conference is available at http://www.cags.org.ae/.