Within minutes of Ashton Arbuckle's birth at City Hospital in Dubai, an obstetrician was collecting blood from his umbilical cord and placing it in a sterile container.
Three hours later the refrigerated package was in the hands of a medical courier and on its way to the UK to be placed in a cryogenic storage unit for the next 25 years.
Why? Because in the future the stem cells in baby Ashton's cord blood could save his life and those of any siblings, his parents and even strangers.
Umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells, which are considered the building blocks of the body. These "master cells" have the ability to self-renew almost indefinitely and to develop into cells with specialised characteristics that can treat dozens of conditions including cancer and blood disorders.
Regenerative treatment of this nature is being considered the future of medicine and while its wider potential to cure is still being analysed by scientists across the globe, for Daryl and Angelique Arbuckle, the parents of seven-week-old Ashton, the decision to spend almost Dh13,000 storing their son's cord blood was a simple one.
Last year Mr Arbuckle, 38, had a benign brain tumour removed and while he admits he does not fully understand the science behind stem cell research, he is happy to do anything to safeguard his son's health.
"Medically I've been through quite a heavy experience. This is the most advanced type of care you can give to your child as it could help him in 10, 20 or even 70 years time," says Mr Arbuckle, a South African and an executive director for Ernst & Young in Dubai. "It's like an insurance policy. With my current condition life-insurance companies won't touch me, so sometimes if you leave these things you get yourself into a position where you can never do anything about it."
Insuring against your child's future is certainly one way of looking at the collection of cord blood, but the potential of stem-cell therapy is much greater than that.
The first successful cord blood transplant to regenerate blood and immune cells took place in France in 1988, on a six-year-old American boy suffering from Fanconi's anaemia, using the cord blood cells of his sibling. That boy is now in his late twenties and is a father himself.
Since then more than 30,000 cord blood stem-cell transplants have taken place on patients suffering from cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma, blood disorders such as anaemia and thalassaemia, and genetic conditions. Scientists are closing in on breakthroughs on a monthly basis and lauding the cells' potential to treat, and even cure, some of the world's most prevalent medical conditions.
"It's a growing concept," says Darryn Keast, the regional manager for MedCells, the company responsible for collecting Ashton's blood. He has also stored the cord blood of his own three children. "Since 2010, cord blood has surpassed bone marrow as the transplant of choice because there is no pain or risk. Because more people are storing, more of these samples are available, whereas with bone marrow there are challenges such as not being able to find a match."
The growth of the industry is reflected in the increasing number of cord blood-bank companies in the UAE - up from only two in 2006 to at least seven now, with more around the region. While some store the blood in the UK, others do so in India, and there are options to keep half the sample for the family and donate the other half to a public cord blood bank, making it available to anyone with diseases that cord blood cells are approved to treat.
In a research lab at United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain, Dr Sherif Karam, a professor of anatomy and cell biology, has been quietly plugging away at stem-cell research since 2001.
He is exploring the link between adult stem cells, which, though hard to identify, can be isolated from almost any tissue in the body, and stomach cancer - the second deadliest cancer in the world - to see whether stem cells play a role in originating cancer. Dr Karam is also investigating the factors that control gastric stem cells' ability to self-renew.
Believed to be the only academic carrying out stem-cell research in the UAE, the Egyptian scientist first started working in this field in the 1980s in the US, making his presence in the UAE even more significant because he is passing his knowledge on to young Emirati scientists, some of whom have already published papers on their work in international journals.
"We had an Emirati dentist from the Boston University Institute for Dental Research in Dubai Healthcare City working in my lab as part of his master's degree. He was able to isolate dental stem cells from different regions of the tooth, to maintain their growth and induce their differentiation in the lab. He is now studying for a PhD in Boston and I anticipate he will come back with a lot of expertise. Those kind of individuals will be the driving force for stem-cell research in the UAE."
Dr Karam believes it could be as little as two years before a stem-cell research centre is set up here. With the region's access to bigger funding pools and the imminent increase in the number of research labs locally, there is huge potential for the UAE and the wider region not only to join the stem-cell research race and find cures for diseases prevalent in local communities, but also, perhaps, even to lead it.
"This region has the funds and the facilities and there are many Arab scientists abroad who would be willing to come here if they see there is a facility and they can do whatever they do abroad. I think administrators can attract such scientists," says Dr Karam.
For a stem-cell centre to be established in the UAE, Dr Karam, who has his work monitored by two ethics committees at UAEU and Tawam Hospital, says the government may have to introduce policies surrounding more controversial areas of this research, such as embryonic stem-cell research, which does not take place here.
Guidelines for this have already been established in Qatar by the National Research Ethics Committee, and fatwas issued by the Islamic Jurisprudence Council of the Islamic World League in 1997 and 2003 approve embryonic stem-cell research for therapeutic and scientific research purposes, if obtained from permissible sources.
"Research and experiments in induced pluripotent stem cells and mouse and human embryonic stem cells are being conducted in the Middle East, whether here at Weill Cornell in Qatar, in Saudi Arabia or in Iran," Dr Jeremie AR Tabrizi of Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar told the Qatar International Conference on Stem Cell Science and Policy in March. "This is because the ethical issues of stem-cell research have been clearly addressed in Islam."
He added: "The establishment of a collaborative stem-cell network throughout the region will lead to greater disease-targeted research, which is not currently possible with individual, private investment initiatives."
While the potential for regenerative medicine seems boundless, for now the real issue seems to be ensuring that the general public, and the decision makers who will fund the research, know this type of science actually exists - something the new father, Daryl Arbuckle, agrees with.
"Not one doctor advised me about storing cord blood. I just told the doctors, who nodded their heads and said: 'We'll do what needs to be done'."
arayer@thenational.ae
Remaining Fixtures
Wednesday: West Indies v Scotland
Thursday: UAE v Zimbabwe
Friday: Afghanistan v Ireland
Sunday: Final
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Company%20Profile
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
SPECS
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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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
Company%C2%A0profile
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
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The biog
Fast facts on Neil Armstrong’s personal life:
- Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio
- He earned his private pilot’s license when he was 16 – he could fly before he could drive
- There was tragedy in his married life: Neil and Janet Armstrong’s daughter Karen died at the age of two in 1962 after suffering a brain tumour. She was the couple’s only daughter. Their two sons, Rick and Mark, consulted on the film
- After Armstrong departed Nasa, he bought a farm in the town of Lebanon, Ohio, in 1971 – its airstrip allowed him to tap back into his love of flying
- In 1994, Janet divorced Neil after 38 years of marriage. Two years earlier, Neil met Carol Knight, who became his second wife in 1994
Company%20profile%20
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How they line up for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix
1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
3 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
4 Max Verstappen, Red Bull
5 Kevin Magnussen, Haas
6 Romain Grosjean, Haas
7 Nico Hulkenberg, Renault
*8 Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
9 Carlos Sainz, Renault
10 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
11 Fernando Alonso, McLaren
12 Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren
13 Sergio Perez, Force India
14 Lance Stroll, Williams
15 Esteban Ocon, Force India
16 Brendon Hartley, Toro Rosso
17 Marcus Ericsson, Sauber
18 Charles Leclerc, Sauber
19 Sergey Sirotkin, Williams
20 Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso
* Daniel Ricciardo qualified fifth but had a three-place grid penalty for speeding in red flag conditions during practice
Brief scores:
Juventus 3
Dybala 6', Bonucci 17', Ronaldo 63'
Frosinone 0
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)
Tomb%20Raider%20I%E2%80%93III%20Remastered
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
Scores in brief:
- New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
- William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
- Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
- Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
