We have held our first meeting virtually on 4 June 2025, in order to connect scientists within the UAE with each other, and to stimulate new research and translational projects.
We are planning further meetings, both in person and virtually, in the future – please subscribe to our newsletter or our WhatsApp group to stay informed about future events!
The programme for the meeting has been as follows:
GENETIC.AE
The UAE Drug Discovery and Biotechnology Network
First Meeting: 4 June, 1-4.30pm UAE time (GST), on Zoom
Free and Open to All!
Programme
1p The UAE Drug Discovery and Biotechnology Network – Plans and Vision, Prof Andreas Bender, Khalifa University
1.15p Drug Discovery at NYU AD – With Examples from Nanobodies and RNA Therapeutics, Prof Piergiorgio Percipalle, NYU Abu Dhabi
1.30p Infectious Disease Research in the UAE, Prof Dean Everett, Khalifa University
1.45p ADIA Labs in the Abu Dhabi Ecosystem, Dr Shadab Khan, ADIA Labs
2p Explainable AI for Sustainable Exploitation of Large Multi-Omics Data in Precision Medicine and Pharmacology, Prof Natasa Przulj, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI)
2.15p Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery: Capabilities, Collaborations, and Vision at Ajman University, Prof Mohammad Anas Shamsi, Ajman University
2.30p Precision Health & Longevity at KU: OMICs, Digital Health & Translational Medicine, Prof Mira Mousa, Khalifa University
2.45-3p BREAK
3p Advancing a Collaborative Future: AURAK’s Role in UAE Drug Discovery and Biotechnology, Prof Shagufta Waseem, Prof. Irshad Ahmad and Dr. Rawad, American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK)
3.15p AI-Driven Omics for Breakthrough Precision Medicine and Drug Discovery, Prof Boulbaba Ben Amor, Inception
3.30p Stem Cells in Drug Discovery and Biotechnology: An Overview of the Local Landscape, Dr Sabrina Desbordes, NYU Abu Dhabi
3.45p Discovery of a First-in-Class Covalent HDAC Inhibitor: A Case Study in Student Development, and Strategic Collaboration Towards Application in the UAE, Prof Yasir Raouf, UAE University (UAEU)
4p Natural Product Drug Discovery and Metabolomics for Disease Insights, Prof Naglaa Ashmawy, Dubai Medical University
4.15p Translating Nature’s Toxins into Neuroprotective Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis, Prof Nemat Khan, Khalifa University
4.30p Event Close