Department of Genetics & Genomics

Overview

The UAEU Genomics Laboratory has been established as a center of excellence for research to ultimately reduce the impact of genetic disease on the UAE community. This new laboratory contains state of the art equipment and technologies for studying Genomics, Metabolomics and Bioinformatics.

The Genomics laboratory is equipped with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platforms such as NovaSeq 6000 sequencing system, MiSeq Sequencing System in addition to Biomek i7 Liquid Handling system, Covaris LE220-plus- Focused Ultrasonicator, Automated DNA isolation system (QiACube and QiACube HT), RT-PCR- Machine (QuantStudio 7 Flex), PCR Robotic workstation, several PCR machines and other ancillary and small equipment.

VISION MISSION Purpose Scope

To enhance the research capacity of UAEU and country by becoming the leading provider of Genomics and Metabolomics analysis infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates.

The mission of the UAE University Genomics Laboratory is aligned with the UAEUs focusing on its three pillars in Research, Education and Community Services by providing cutting edge research and diagnostic services as well as advanced training in the fields of genetics, genomics and metabolomics for the benefit of the UAE Community.

The purpose of establishing UAE University Genomics Laboratory is for it to be a unique, world-class, national and regional center that integrates basic research in genetics, genomics and metabolomics with cutting-edge translational research as well as to train the next generation of geneticists and scientists to improve human health and provide state of the art molecular, biochemical and medical genetics care, novel therapeutics and prevention strategies for the UAE community.

The UAEU Genomics Laboratory scope will be focused on the Research, Education and Clinical services.

GENOMICS Assays & Services

UAEU NGS Assays

UAEU NGS Services

UAEU Genotyping

Potential Assays in the pipeline

Biochemical Genetic Assays

Homocysteine (Total), Methylmalonic Acid, and Methylcitric Acid, Dried Blood Spot

Amino Acid Profile, Plasma

Infrastructure

Genomics Lab

Biochemical Lab

Lab Team

Dr. Hiba Alblooshi, Director of UAEU Genomic Laboratory

Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics and Genomic, College of Medicine and Health Science, United Arab Emirates University. Dr. Alblooshi is currently an assistant professor in the Genetic and Genomics department in the United Arab Emirates University. Dr Alblooshi is the director of the UAEU genomic Laboratory. She holds a PhD degree in Medical and Forensic Sciences from the University of Western Australia. She completed her Master degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Science from the University of Western Australia. Dr. Alblooshi Completed her Bachelor degree in Science majoring in Genetic and Anatomy from The University of Melbourne, Australia. Her research area includes the molecular basis of Mendelian Disorders and Neuropsychiatric Genetic. With her research work she hopes to provide new insights for the pathophysiology of the disorder and improve the application of genetic technology in understating the underling biology of the disease.

Sara Alhmoudi, Medical Research Specialist |

Sara has recently joined CMHS as a Medical Research Specialist. She received her Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology and her Master of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology both from the Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, UAE. Her Master thesis was in molecular immunology allowed her to get some experience in several molecular biology techniques.

Ibrahim Baydoun, Medical Research Specialist (Molecular Genomics)

Ibrahim Baydoun, have recently joined CMHS staff as a Senior Specialist in Next Generation sequencing . He has worked as a Lab supervisor in Jordan's University of science And Technology -Princess Haya Biotechnology Center (Irbid Jordan) , and King Fahad specialist Hospital (Dammam, Saudi Arabia) As Senior Research Technologist for their Genomics Unit in the Biomedical Research Facility. His past experience involves both Molecular Genetics Research and Diagnostics. with research focusing mainly on Oncogenetics , Neurogenetics , Metagenomics , Cardiovascular Genetics and Whole Genome sequencing as part of the Saudi Genome project. He finished his M.Sc in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering , minoring in Human Molecular Genetics from Yarmouk University (irbid, Jordan).

Praseetha Kizhakkedath, PhD, Senior Specialist

Praseetha Kizhakkedath joined the UAEU Genomics team in May 2020. She is primarily responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the genomics lab and involved in the analysis and interpretation of clinical genomic data from whole exomes and genomes. Praseetha obtained her Ph.D in Biotechnology from the University of Madras, India. After her PhD she joined the biopharmaceutical industry at Syngene International, Bangalore as an Associate Scientific Manager for Syngene-Abbot Nutrition research collaboration and led various molecular biology and functional genomics research projects. Praseetha has completed her postdoctoral training on molecular mechanisms underlying human rare genetic disorders, in Dept. of Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAEU and later worked as a clinical genomics scientist at Al Jalila Genome center, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dubai. She has authored several peer reviewed scientific publications and presented her research at international scientific conferences.