Al Ghurair University Center of Excellence in Biotechnology (AGUCEB)

AGUCEB's research themes are metabolic diseases, cancer, and mental disorders.

At the moment, most of our work focuses on metabolic diseases. We're currently working on the following projects: 

• The 1,000 Arab Genome Project: Characterizing the Genome of Ethnic Groups in Arabia.
• A genome wide screen for susceptibility genes to Type 2 Diabetes with cardiovascular complication among Arab in UAE Population.
• Genetic Polymorphism relevant genes In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Arabs Residing In UAE.
• Genetic Variants and association of Vitamin D deficiency with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among UAE Nationals.
• Improved HLA matching for Bone Marrow Transplantation using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Technology.
• The identification of genetic markers that predispose Individuals of Middle Eastern descent to substance use disorder.

Recent Publications 

• Ali O, Jones RJ, Tay GK, Alsafar H, Hadi S. Population genetics data for 21 autosomal STR loci for United Arab Emirates (UAE) population using next generation multiplex STR kit. Forensic Sci Int Gen 2015;19:190-1.
• Alsafar H, A. H, Almazrouei S, Kamal W, Afandi B, Rais N. Association of the genetic polymorphisms in transcription factor 7-like 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-γ2 with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its interaction with obesity status in Emirati population. J Diabetes Res 2015;2015:1-8.
• Alsafar H, Hassoun A, Almazrouei S, al e. Association of angiotension converting enzyme insertion-deletion polymorphism with hypertension in Emiratis with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its interaction with obesity status. Disease Markers 2015;2015:1-7.
• Lukman S, Alsafar H, Lee S, Sim K. Harnessing structural data of insulin and insulin receptor for therapeutic designs. Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2015;In Press.
• Osman A, Alsafar H, Tay G, Theyab J, Mubasher M, al e. Autosomal Short Tandem Repeat (STR) variation based on 15 loci in a population from the Central Region (Riyadh Province) of Saudi Arabia. J Forensic Res 2015;6:267.
• Osman E, Al Anouti F, El ghazali G, Haq A, Mirgani R, Al Safar H. Frequency of rs731236 (Taql), rs2228570 (Fok1) of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene in Emirati healthy population. Meta Gene 2015;6:49-52.
• Witzel I-I, Jelinek H, Khalaf K, Lee S, Khandoker A, Alsafar H. Identifying common genetic risk factors of diabetic neuropathies. Front Endocrinol 2015;6:88.
  

Al Ghurair University’s Center for Biotechnology is equipped with a state of art technology which includes DNA analysis capabilities using the following:

• Next Generation Sequencer (Illumina NEXTSeq 500, USA)
• Quantitative Real time PCR ViiA 7TM  (Applied Biosystems, USA)
• Sanger Sequencer 3500 (Applied Biosystems, USA)

The Center for Biotechnology is also the home of the biobank that is the “Emirates Family Registry”.

• Characterisation of susceptibility MHC haplotypes for Type 1 Diabetes using Arabian Trios, 2022 (AGUIRF L1) 
• The 1000 Arab Genome project: Characterising the Genome of Ethnic Groups in Arabia, 2022 (AGUIRF L2) 
• Obesity in the UAE Youth from OMICs to Function: Towards the Early Prediction of Associated Chronic Diseases, 2022 (ADEC) 
• Improved HLA matching for bone marrow transplantation using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, 2022 (Al Jalila Foundation)

Guest speaker engagements 

As one of the most prominent women in science in the UAE and as a leading diabetes researcher, Dr. Habiba Al Safar, AGUCEB's Director, often speaks at various events around the world. In addition to regular panel discussion slots at universities and conferences, Dr. Habiba recently spoke at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the first genome-wide association study for Type 2 Diabetes. In March 2022, she also gave a three-minute speech at UNESCO in Paris to present the AGUCEB research. 

Healthy Heart Day 

In April 2022, staff, faculty and students at Al Ghurair University were able to have a medical screening thanks to an event organised by AGUCEB. The screening included a cholestoral and BMI check and a short consultation with a medical professional, with a focus on cardiovascular health. 

AGUCEB Open House

In November 2015, AGUCEB held an open house event as part of activities surrounding Innovation Week. The event was an opportunity for AGUCEB to showcase its projects and research, and how those projects contribute towards the innovation and development agenda within the UAE. 

Internship/independent study opportunities

AGUCEB is inviting applications from national and international students who wish to undertake a research internship for up to three months on the following topics: 

• Identification of the disease progression and its multi-organ complications via HRV and genetic marker 
• Identification and integration of the biomechnical and postural markers of the diabetic foot with genetic parameters 

To be considered, students must possess an interest in exploring ideas to integrate new technological tools and techniques with biomedical applications. There is one Biomedical Engineering student place and one Electrical and Computer Engineering student place open for each project. 

To register your interest, please send a complete CV to .