Qatar International Conference on Stem Cell Science and Policy Kicks off

Doha, February 27 (QNA) - The Qatar International Conference on Stem Cell Science and Policy, kicked off at the Qatar National Convention Centre on Monday. ,February 27th to March 1st. The four-day conference, is jointly organized by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF)'s Research Division and James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy. It is considered to be an international platform for discussions on the latest in stem cell research and the development of new approaches for a myriad of diseases while accounting for cultural, ethical and religious factors. The participation of the young researchers, who are part of Qatar Foundation's Qatar Science Leadership Program (QSLP), is an important part of their training. Three Qatari Master's level researchers will showcase their findings on stem cell usage in disease detection at the conference. The conference provides students with invaluable opportunities for knowledge exchange in attendance of eminent international as well as regional scientists, ethicists, and policymakers to discuss the latest discoveries of stem cell research. The researchers' studies were aimed at examining the promising stem cell field for an increased awareness over life-threatening diseases such as ovarian cancer, obesity-related illnesses, and other dangerous epidemics in Qatar and the region. In his address before the inaugural session of the conference, Dr. Abdul Al-Ali Al-Houdhi , the Vice President for Research at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), who is also the Deputy Director of the Institute of Qatar for Biomedical Research, voiced delight for holding such a key conference in Doha, where the participants are seeking through meetings and seminars to address the challenges facing our efforts in the development of stem cell research. Dr. Al-Houdhi announced the launch of "stem cell research center in Qatar," noting meantime that this center will serve as a link between many of the institutes that focus on the issue of stem cells, such as diabetes and cancer research. It is worthy to mention that, QSLP Researcher Dr Hamda al-Thawadi, who is currently pursuing a PhD in the University of Paris, will exhibit her findings on ovarian cancer in the conference. "This program is especially important to Qatar, where there are high rates of strokes among cancer patients," said Dr. al-Thawadi. My project will help uncover an efficient tool to assess risk factors for patients as well as healthy individuals, which is meant to develop preventive measures." she added. For her part, Dr. Halima al-Farsi, who is also a QSLP researcher, will present findings on ovarian cancer with a focus on possible applications of stem cells to generate cells and tissue for medical purposes. Al-Farsi said that cell and tissue donations are currently implanted to replace damaged or impaired organs. "Stem cells are an endless resource of alternative cells which can be used to treat diseases," she explained. According to al-Farsi, stem cells also increase chances of survival and handicap recovery among Parkinson's disease patients awaiting implants as well as patients with severe burns, spinal cord injuries, joint inflammation, and diabetes. She pointed out the high numbers of patients suffering from such diseases in Qatar, expressing her hope for treatment or cure through stem cells. Heba al-Sediki, the third among the QSLP researchers, will address from her side preventive measures against obesity-related diseases through tissue engineering and organ revitalization. Her research has recently been published in the leading international scientific journal Nature. Al-Sediki indicated that the treatment of obesity-related diseases like coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes through developing stem cell techniques was a crucial issue, specially in light of their prevalence in Qatar. She expressed her optimism for what such steps could represent for future generations. From his side, Head of Research Training at Qatar Foundation Dr Ayman Bassil has said that the stem cell conference worked on supporting Qatar Foundation students through involving them in the field and connecting them with leading scientists. He voiced his hopes that this conference would inspire youth in Qatar and the region to pursue studies in the stem cell field. The QSLP program initiated by Qatar Foundation aims to prepare the coming generations of Qatari graduates for exploring and leading the field of scientific research, setting stem cell research as a national priority. Qatar Foundation has been collaborating with the Baker Institute on the International Program on Stem Cell Science Policy. The program has supported several events since its inception including meetings, workshops, and training programs in Doha and Houston. With a focus on ethical stem cell research, some workshops were conducted with religious scholars in 2009 in addition to a forum in May 2010. The capstone event in this program is the Qatar International Conference on Stem Cell Science and Policy. (QNA)