Staff Reporter
THE research agenda of Qatar Foundation (QF) would focus on the themes of biomedicine and biotechnology, energy and environmental sciences, computational sciences, and nanotechnology, vice-president (research), Abdelali Haoudi said yesterday.
“The long term vision envisages pursuit of cutting edge science in phase one, positioning Qatar as a major regional contributor of science in phase two, and becoming a magnet for innovative research and development companies in the third phase,” he explained.
The official was speaking on ‘Research at QF,’ at the first international symposium on applied nanomedicine, which began yesterday.
“Qatar’s commitment to research is 2.8% of the GDP, which would be approximately $1.5bn per year, as announced by HH the Emir earlier,” Haoudi recalled while referring to the strong foundation that the country has in this regard.
Personalised medicine and biotechnology; nanoenergy, ecology and clean technology; computational sciences and data mining are among the research themes that would be pursued.
“The biomedical research, to be initiated together with Sidra Medical and Research Center, would involve the setting up of the Qatar bio bank, and centres for research in molecular imaging, stem cell, molecular medicine, proteomic medicine, and genomic medicine,” he said.
Programmes for better diagnosis and treatments from infectious agents, new personalised therapies and advanced healing methods, applying nanotechnology to human health, ageing and dementia research, protecting human exposure to harmful environmental conditions, and repair, replacement or regeneration of cells, tissues or organs are part of the spectrum.
While research on preventive medicine is scheduled over the next five years, that on personalised medicine is over a 10-year period, and that on predictive medicine is scheduled beyond 10 years.
The official pointed out that agencies such as the Supreme Education Council, General Secretariat for Developmental Planning, Supreme Council for Information and Communication Technology, Ministry of Energy and Industry, and Qatar Science and Technology Park are involved in the co-ordination of science and research activities at the national level.
There is constant interaction with business and research organisations and governmental institutions. Institutions in Education City are an integral part of the mission. QF’s Qatar National Research Fund is promoting research initiatives over the past two years.
“Qatar Foundation’s research strategies are intended to lead the incubation and co-ordination of research activities within Education City and place Qatar on the science and technology map,” Haoudi said.
Contribution to the development of a critical mass of scientists is also part of QF’s research agenda, he added.
The conference sessions are on ‘Nanomedicine and chronic diseases,’ and ‘Challenges and opportunities.’
Resource persons from Canadian Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Alberta (Canada), Brown University (US), Harvard University (US), and Canadian Institute for Health Research are among the speakers at the conference that is on today also. | 
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