The UAE has collected 'close to 800,000 [sequences] in terms of numbers' under the Emirati Genome Programme. Khushnum Bhandari/The National
The UAE has collected 'close to 800,000 [sequences] in terms of numbers' under the Emirati Genome Programme. Khushnum Bhandari/The National
The UAE has collected 'close to 800,000 [sequences] in terms of numbers' under the Emirati Genome Programme. Khushnum Bhandari/The National
The UAE has collected 'close to 800,000 [sequences] in terms of numbers' under the Emirati Genome Programme. Khushnum Bhandari/The National

UAE to share genomics expertise with Uzbekistan to advance preventive health care


Nick Webster
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE is to expand its knowledge in genomics and increase its contribution to global diversity in the field of studying DNA by teaming up with Uzbekistan.

Under a new partnership between M42 – the Abu Dhabi health technology company – and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health, an infrastructure similar to the Emirati Genome Programme (EGP) will explore a build, operate and transfer model for genomics to shift the country’s healthcare sector to a more preventive approach.

This will involve designing, developing and manufacturing relevant screening and diagnostic tools; supporting the implementation of genetically inherited disease prevention programmes; and expanding the approach to other diseases such as cancer.

The development of the programme will lay the foundation for new standards in prevention, diagnosis and treatment
Farhkodjon Tashpulatov,
Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Health

Launched in Abu Dhabi in 2019, the UAE programme was created to provide preventive health care for the Emirati population. It collected and analysed genetic material from almost half the Emirati population, to understand why some disease is more prevalent than among other nationalities and how drugs respond in different ways. The project placed power in the hands of scientists, researchers and doctors to offer more specific, precision-based therapy.

“Now, we are looking at partnerships outside our borders,” Dr Fahed Al Marzooqi, chief executive of integrated health solutions platform M42, told The National during the 2025 Arab Health conference in Dubai, which was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

Dr Al Marzooqi said the EGP has “touched close to 800,000 [sequences] in terms of numbers” and that the “value and data that's generated can be deployed in multiple areas”.

“In the genome programme we really go by the motto of 'sequence once, use for a lifetime',” he added. “Your DNA is not going to change – it's [been] exactly the same since you were born, that data can be used for your whole life and for innovations in the future.”

Partnership with Uzbekistan

The partnership on the Uzbek Genome Programme will enable a new level of understanding of the population's genetic diversity that will help in early identification and prevention of disease.

Expanding on the scope of the partnership, Dr Al Marzooqi said Uzbekistan would stand to gain a lot from the comprehensive genetic database for the Emirati population. “We've deployed it in the UAE, so we know how to use it and we've learnt from our mistakes,” he added.

While there are many similarities, the programme will be created to meet Uzbekistan's “unique challenges”. Dr Al Marzooqi added: “A lot of what we will do will be similar but there will be aspects unique to their population.”

Proactive approach

“We're seeing global gaps in the healthcare scape, one of which is the lack of diversity when it comes to genomics research – this is a very important factor in terms of growing that diversity,” said Dr Al Marzooqi. “If you look at the genetic data available today, it's very western Caucasian-skewed, and when it comes to this part of the world and the Asian population, the amount of data we have is very low. This will add to the diversity of the data … to benefit all of humanity.”

M42 has built its Omics Centre of Excellence into the world’s largest such establishment outside the US, with a capacity to sample and sequence up to 400,000 genomes annually.

'We are looking at partnerships outside our borders,' says Dr Fahed Al Marzooqi, chief executive of integrated health solutions platform M42. Chris Whiteoak / The National
'We are looking at partnerships outside our borders,' says Dr Fahed Al Marzooqi, chief executive of integrated health solutions platform M42. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE last year announced a compulsory premarital screening programme for Emirati couples, to check if their children may be at risk of genetic disease. In support of a national drive to “safeguard the health of future generations”, it is aimed at creating an integrated database to proactively identify genetic diseases among Emiratis and allow for early medical intervention. Under premarital screening, about 570 genes linked to more than 840 conditions will be analysed.

Blood disorders

“Genomic research offers unique opportunities to understand the genetic characteristics of the Uzbek population,” said Farhkodjon Tashpulatov, Uzbekistan’s deputy minister of health. “This will enable the creation of targeted programmes for early detection and prevention.”

Natural Uzbeks are genetically a mix of East Asian and West Eurasian groups, and have a relatively high carrier rate of thalassaemia, an inherited blood disorder that leads to depleted haemoglobin levels. This is more commonly seen in regions with close-knit communities where consanguineous marriage is more prevalent. When both parents are carriers, their children have a higher likelihood of inheriting the condition.

Testing capacity is not yet fully known, although Uzbekistan has a population of about 36 million, considerably larger than the UAE’s, which exceeds 9.5 million. “Not only are we advancing the potential of our national healthcare system, but also contributing to global efforts to explore genetic diversity,” Mr Tashpulatov said. “Special attention will be given to training our specialists and integrating advanced technologies, positioning Uzbekistan as a leader in genomics in Central Asia.”

50 years of Arab Health

Sheikh Mohammed attended day three of the Arab Health and marked its 50th edition with a special post on his official handle on social media platform X.

“We thank everyone who has built their trust in Dubai and the Emirates … and we support every initiative that develops human health and improves the services provided to them,” he wrote.

The 50th edition saw the participation of delegations from 180 countries and 3,800 specialised companies, Sheikh Mohammed added.

Arab Health 2025: in pictures

The Florida Project

Director: Sean Baker

Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe

Four stars

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20PRO%20(12.9%22%2C%202022)
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Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

The five pillars of Islam
Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
RESULTS

6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $49,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

Winner RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

7.05pm Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (D) 1,900m

Winner El Patriota, Vagner Leal, Antonio Cintra

7.40pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,000m

Winner Ya Hayati, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Althiqa, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Soft Whisper, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

9.25pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Bedouin’s Story, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

Normcore explained

Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

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Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

RESULTS FOR STAGE 4

Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.

Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)

Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

LIVERPOOL%20TOP%20SCORERS
%3Cp%3E(Premier%20League%20only)%3Cbr%3EMohamed%20Salah%20129%3Cbr%3ERobbie%20Fowler%20128%3Cbr%3ESteven%20Gerrard%20120%3Cbr%3EMichael%20Owen%20118%3Cbr%3ESadio%20Mane%2090%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Kandahar%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ric%20Roman%20Waugh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EGerard%20Butler%2C%20Navid%20Negahban%2C%20Ali%20Fazal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: January 29, 2025, 2:29 PM