According to the 2022-2023 annual report recently published by Qatar Biobank, the facility has facilitated more than 350 programs and 210 knowledge extractions.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Biobank, a member of the Qatar Foundation (QF), achieved significant milestones in the 2022-2023 period, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to supporting the local study community.
The institution, now under the umbrella of the Qatar Precision Health Institute, has played a pivotal role in advancing research endeavours through its streamlined research access application process and proficient scientific data extraction.
According to the recently published 2022-2023 annual report by Qatar Biobank, the facility has facilitated over 350 research applications and 210 data extractions. These efforts have empowered researchers by providing access to high-quality deep phenotypic data, marking a substantial contribution to the scientific landscape.
The annual report highlights Qatar Biobank’s prolific engagement in numerous research and projects, resulting in the publication of 24 articles and contributions to 28 research projects. Notably, the ongoing Q-chip project is a testament to the institution’s cutting-edge initiatives, with 30,000 genetic analyses underway to identify patients and mutation carriers.
Professor Dr. Nahla Afifi, the Director of Qatar Biobank, emphasized the institution’s commitment in her annual report message, stating, “Qatar Biobank is contributing to and expanding the focus on many research and projects.”
The flagship cohort study, a long-term population-based study initiative, has been successful in recruiting large numbers of participants and introducing additional projects such as the birth cohort study in Qatar. In addition, the facility is actively participating in two separate studies on the effect of COVID-19 infection and vaccine efficacy.
Qatar Biobank’s invaluable contribution to fitness studies is manifested in its comprehensive collection of biological samples and knowledge of the fitness and lifestyle of a significant portion of Qatar’s population. Qatar Biobank’s clinical team provides consulting to the study community, providing expertise in design, feasibility, and examining recommendations.
In addition to knowledge gathering, Qatar Biobank prioritizes the harmonization, standardization, and formatting of knowledge for usability across various studies and platforms. The establishment collaborates extensively with domestic and foreign establishments, fostering partnerships in the fields of precision health, biobanking, biopreservation, and similar fields. , leading to promising studies and learning outcomes.
Local partners are Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Sidra Medicine, Qatar University, and Texas A.
At the international level, Qatar Biobank collaborates with renowned organizations such as the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER), the European, Middle East and African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanks (ESBB), the International Hundred Thousand Consortium Cohorts (IHCC) and the Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI) in India, Cyprus and Spain, as well as the Spanish Innovation Agency and the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain and Singgenics of Singapore.
The effect of Qatar Biobank’s efforts is evident in the positive feedback obtained from researchers.
An impressive 80% of respondents in a feedback survey lauded the data quality as excellent, with an additional 20% recognizing it as good.
In particular, all participants rated the quality of the biological samples obtained for their programs as excellent.
Recognising the importance of feedback, the Qatar Biobank’s annual report highlights its commitment to and fulfilment of the wishes of the research community.
The survey addresses various aspects, including the research application process, data and sample quality, and the speed of the research process, reflecting Qatar Biobank’s dedication to continuous improvement and excellence.
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