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.
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
MATCH INFO
Confederations Cup Group B
Germany v Chile
Kick-off: Thursday, 10pm (UAE)
Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan
Watch live: Abu Dhabi Sports HD
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Our House, Louise Candlish,
Simon & Schuster
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 2,000m - Winner: Powderhouse, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 2,200m - Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Conditions Dh240,000 1,600m - Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 2,000m - Winner: Key Bid, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 1,200m - Winner: Drafted, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
9.25pm: Handicap Dh170,000 1,600m - Winner: Cachao, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap Dh190,000 1,400m - Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
Remaining Fixtures
Wednesday: West Indies v Scotland
Thursday: UAE v Zimbabwe
Friday: Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday: Final
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
Asia Cup 2018 final
Who: India v Bangladesh
When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium
Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Where: Abu Dhabi Cricket, Oval 1
Tickets: Admission is free
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UAE v Bolivia, Friday, 6.25pm, Maktoum bin Rashid Stadium, Dubai
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Kashima Antlers 3 (Nagaki 49’, Serginho 69’, Abe 84’)
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RACECARD
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Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
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Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
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What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
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Price: Dh99,000
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Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5
Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
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The White Lotus: Season three
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Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Scoreline
Bournemouth 2
Wilson 70', Ibe 74'
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
![The UAE has collected 'close to 800,000 [sequences] in terms of numbers' under the Emirati Genome Programme. Khushnum Bhandari/The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/MKQMFEPM7CFV4RT63OHLMG656I.jpg?smart=true&auth=9c712c706fec9604c98d5e751ea82b861dafac6fa98121c8bfd6a5a5c5730063&width=800&height=450)
