Abu Dhabi and Australia have signed an agreement to grow the global RNA ecosystem and develop future Covid-19 treatments.
The agreement was signed by Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Michael Kapel, chief executive of mRNA Victoria, an Australian government initiative.
The UAE and Australia will identify areas of interest related to mRNA research, initiate collaborations and knowledge exchange and identify early-stage research investment opportunities.
mRNA technology made headlines when the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines were approved for use, first in the US, and then globally, during the pandemic.
With the signing of this, we look forward to seeing advancements in mRNA-based therapeutics research and strengthening the capabilities of the international healthcare system
Dr Jamal Al Kaabi,
Department of Health – Abu Dhabi
Many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies to trigger an immune response.
But with mRNA technology, scientists tackle disease by borrowing the body’s natural protein-building software.
The idea is to use this software, or messenger RNA (mRNA), to create exact replicas of a known enemy such as the distinctive spike of the novel coronavirus.
That way, the immune system learns to recognise its foe and will be ready for battle when it meets the real thing.
Experts believe mRNA could change the future of medicine and healthcare.
The collaboration will explore clinical trial opportunities and areas for private sector investment in Abu Dhabi and Victoria state in Australia.
With a focus on the development of the RNA ecosystem, both sides will be able to identify prospective partners and collaborate with organisations seeking to develop and licence RNA-based therapeutics and treatments.
A steering committee of members from the Department of Health and mRNA Victoria will be set up to ensure alignment and effective execution of projects.
“We are always open to forward-thinking and innovative collaborations with leading global partners, such as the state of Victoria," said Dr Al Kaabi.
"With the signing of this, we look forward to seeing advancements in mRNA-based therapeutics research and strengthening the capabilities of the international healthcare system so that we are better prepared for future pandemics and health crises."
Jaala Pulford, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, in the government of Victoria said: “This agreement signifies a global collaboration to share knowledge, information and expertise within the ecosystem supporting supply chains research and development for pre and clinical research, commercialisation and manufacturing investments.”
In the past five years, Abu Dhabi doubled its research capabilities and developed several scientific, clinical and research programmes. These exceeded the number of projects carried out during the previous five years.
The Department of Health also launched the Covid-19 Research Registry, a platform that supports scientific research and discoveries related to the virus and disease. The registry has received 386 scientific papers. Of these, 340 papers have been approved and 46 were published.
What is RNA?
RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a molecule that plays a central role in the function of genes.
After the success of mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, experts believe that the technology can be used to unlock the root causes of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Diseases including cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and cystic fibrosis could all be targeted by mRNA-based treatments or preventive vaccines.
mRNA and other forms of RNA, such as siRNA, miRNA and gRNA, also have huge potential in medicine beyond vaccines.
It can also be used in the biotechnology and agricultural sectors.
How does it work?
Although mRNA can be made artificially, it is not a human invention, because it plays a central role in the production of proteins from an organism’s genes.
Consisting of a single strand of ribonucleic acid (RNA), mRNA is where genes (which in people are made from deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA) are copied inside the nucleus of cells.
The mRNA travels into the liquid area outside the nucleus, the cytoplasm, where, in a process called translation, it codes for the production of a protein.
The sequence of amino acids (protein building blocks) that make up this protein is determined by the sequence of the base pairs or repeating units of the mRNA.
When mRNA is administered as a vaccine or other therapeutic substance, it too ends up in cells, where translation takes place and proteins are produced.
With Covid-19 vaccines, these proteins are coronavirus spike proteins, the immune response to which offers protection if the person is subsequently infected with the virus.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Ajax v Real Madrid, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh960,000
Engine 3.9L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 661hp @8,000rpm
Torque 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.4L / 100k
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
INDIA SQUAD
Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami
'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'
Rating: 3/5
Directors: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen, Hanelle Culpepper, Guillermo Navarro
Writers: Walter Mosley
Stars: Samuel L Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Walton Goggins
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
SHAITTAN
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Korean Film Festival 2019 line-up
Innocent Witness, June 26 at 7pm
On Your Wedding Day, June 27 at 7pm
The Great Battle, June 27 at 9pm
The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, June 28 at 4pm
Romang, June 28 at 6pm
Mal Mo E: The Secret Mission, June 28 at 8pm
Underdog, June 29 at 2pm
Nearby Sky, June 29 at 4pm
A Resistance, June 29 at 6pm
I Care A Lot
Directed by: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good
One star
Rocketman
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Jamie Bell
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Pakistan v New Zealand Test series
Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza
New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner
Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am
Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
MOTHER%20OF%20STRANGERS
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The cost of Covid testing around the world
Egypt
Dh514 for citizens; Dh865 for tourists
Information can be found through VFS Global.
Jordan
Dh212
Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.
Cambodia
Dh478
Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.
Zanzibar
AED 295
Zanzibar Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, located within the Lumumba Secondary School compound.
Abu Dhabi
Dh85
Abu Dhabi’s Seha has test centres throughout the UAE.
UK
From Dh400
Heathrow Airport now offers drive through and clinic-based testing, starting from Dh400 and up to Dh500 for the PCR test.
