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All in for Discovery
Our integrated academic health system is a rich ecosystem of resources, research facilities, advanced technology and specialized equipment. Our healthcare experts collaborate seamlessly with specialists in research and innovation to craft new treatment protocols and tailored therapies. This synergetic environment fosters a culture of curiosity and determination to push the limits of medical understanding. By embracing an academic methodology grounded in evidence, we ensure the integration of the latest breakthroughs into patient care, prioritizing safety and efficacy.
Where integration creates impact
Our integrated academic health system is a rich ecosystem of resources, boasting research facilities, cutting-edge technology, and specialized equipment. These assets empower our scientists and scholars to engage in impactful research. We champion interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging experts from disparate fields to unite, sparking innovative research endeavors that draw strength from a multitude of perspectives.
Discovery in Numbers
Latest News & Events
Dubai Health’s Board of Directors convened a meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors. During the meeting, held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors, the Board commended the progress of Dubai’s scientific research ecosystem, its growing international standing, and its role in advancing health for humanity and enhancing quality of life.
The meeting, held virtually, was attended by Board members Her Excellency Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, His Excellency Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani, His Excellency Walid Saeed Al Awadhi, His Excellency Mohammed Hassan Al Shehhi, Professor Sir Ian Andrew Greer, His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, and Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi. The Board reviewed progress across care, learning and discovery, and discussed the continued development of Dubai’s health system.
Since the establishment of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) in 2016, scientists from Dubai Health and MBRU have published 2,362 papers in leading international peer-reviewed journals. A number of scientists have also been named to Stanford University’s list of the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists in each of the past four years, reflecting Dubai Health’s growing international standing within the global healthcare and scientific community.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum welcomed the Board members and commended their efforts to advance Dubai’s healthcare sector, strengthen its global leadership and enhance health outcomes, in line with the leadership’s vision for a future-ready healthcare system.
His Highness said: “We are proud of the remarkable progress of our healthcare system, the strong performance of Dubai Health’s research mission, and its contribution to advancing health for humanity and enhancing quality of life.I extend my sincere appreciation to our teams and scientists for their dedicated efforts and encourage them to continue this path in service of humanity.”
His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “Dubai places a high priority on scientific research as a key pillar in advancing the healthcare system and enhancing the quality of its services. It plays a central role in driving medical innovation and strengthening efforts in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.”
His Highness added: “Dubai Health’s research achievements reflect the emirate’s steady progress in adopting the latest practices and applying knowledge to serve humanity, contributing to the development of a future-ready healthcare system that supports our ambitions for the years ahead.”
Global Presence and Cover Feature
In a step that reinforces Dubai’s position on the global scientific research map, scientists from Dubai Health and MBRU published a study in Nature Medicine, one of the world’s leading peer-reviewed medical journals, known for its rigorous and highly selective review standards. The journal publishes pioneering research that advances medical practice and helps shape health strategies worldwide. The cover of the issue, which features the study, presents a creative design by Maryam AlHathboor and Fatima Baobaid of the Dubai Health team. The artwork frames Dubai’s iconic skyline and landmarks alongside a representation of human DNA rendered in khoos, an Emirati weaving tradition based on woven palm fronds. This artistic approach reflects the UAE’s and Dubai’s position as a global model for innovation and a hub for science and knowledge.
Leadership Vision
Her Excellency Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Member of the Dubai Health Board of Directors and Chairperson of the MBRU Council, said: “The progress achieved by Dubai Health and MBRU reflects the maturity of our integrated academic health system, where care, learning, and discovery work seamlessly to advance research and translate it into evidence-based care for patients.”
Her Excellency emphasised Dubai Health’s advanced research infrastructure and the integration between healthcare facilities and specialised laboratories, creating an environment for research aligned with the highest global standards.
His Excellency Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, said: “Dubai continues to build an integrated health system supported by a research infrastructure that combines clinical care, medical education, and research. This reinforces our ability to develop evidence-based care models and supports decision-makers in shaping effective health strategies.”
His Excellency added: “The publication of this study in Nature Medicine is a significant milestone in the maturity of Dubai’s research landscape and reflects the calibre of our national talent in building knowledge tailored to our population, while making a meaningful contribution to global medical science.”
His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of MBRU said: “We are proud of the progress achieved, made possible by the vision of our leadership and the Board's continued support, which has strengthened the competitiveness of our research efforts. We remain committed to fostering an environment that empowers our talents to produce impactful outputs that serve our community and align with global healthcare advancements.”
10 Research Centres
Dubai Health and MBRU continue to advance their research contributions through an integrated academic health system, supported by 10 specialised research centres operating in synergy across multiple medical disciplines and enabling scientists to translate knowledge into practical applications.
Scientists at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, have published the first Arab Pangenome Reference, marking a major milestone in both regional and global genomic research. The study, released in Nature Communications, a leading scientific journal, provides a crucial foundation for advancing precision medicine and personalised healthcare for Arab populations, while also supporting the UAE’s National Genome Strategy, a 10-year initiative launched in 2023 by the Emirates Genome Council to advance personalised, preventive, and precision healthcare through cutting-edge genomic science.
The reference was built using high-quality DNA sequencing from 53 people of diverse Arab backgrounds in the UAE. The work, conducted in MBRU’s state-of-the-art Center for Applied and Translational Genomics (CATG), uncovered over 110 million base pairs of novel DNA sequences and identified nearly nine million small differences and more than 235,000 larger structural differences specific to Arab populations that have not been reported before. These findings are significant, as global DNA references have historically underrepresented Arab populations — a gap this research helps to close.
The Arab Pangenome Reference supports national and regional precision medicine initiatives by enabling the development of population-specific biomarkers, risk models, and therapeutic targets. One notable discovery was the duplicated gene TAF11L5, found highly enriched in Arab individuals studied but absent from global references. This gene may play a role in regulating other genes and could have implications for understanding disease risk and individual variation in treatment response.
Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director General, Dubai Health Authority, and co-author of the study, said: “This achievement strengthens the UAE’s position in genomic science. By building a reference that reflects the genetic diversity of Arab populations, we are enabling more precise and equitable healthcare. It’s a foundational step towards realising the goals of our National Genome Strategy and ensuring that future medical innovations are shaped by data from our own communities.”
Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Acting Provost of MBRU, and co-author of the study said: “The capabilities of the CATG lab were central to the success of this project. From genetic sequencing to advanced bioinformatics, every stage of the research was completed in-house. This level of integration gave us full control over quality and timelines, reflecting Dubai Health’s commitment to building world-class infrastructure and fostering national scientific leaders."
While genomic research has advanced rapidly over the past two decades, much of the foundational data has come from a narrow subset of global populations. This has created blind spots in how genetic risk is understood and addressed across different communities. The Arab Pangenome Reference contributes to a growing international effort to correct this imbalance by introducing high-quality data from a historically underrepresented population.
Dr. Mohammed Uddin, Director of CATG and Associate Professor of Genetics at MBRU, and senior author of the study, said: “This pangenome reference marks a major advancement in our understanding of Arab genomic diversity. It serves as a critical resource for both research discovery and clinical genome diagnostics, with lasting impact for future generations across the region.”
The project also developed ‘PanScan’, a bioinformatics tool to support more complex analysis of human pangenomes. Although not the central focus of the study, PanScan enables researchers to detect gene duplications, novel DNA changes, and complex DNA structures. Now publicly available on GitHub, a common resource used by scientists worldwide, the tool was created to support the Arab Pangenome Reference and similar efforts globally.
Dr. Nasna Nassir, lead author of the study and Assistant Professor at MBRU, said: “To support the Arab Pangenome Reference study, we developed PanScan, a tool designed to identify novel variants, gene duplications, and complex haplotype patterns specific to Arab populations. PanScan was key to uncovering unique genomic insights in our study and is now publicly available to support similar research globally.”
The research reflects Dubai Health’s commitment to advancing learning and discovery through MBRU. The university’s research strategy is focused on contributing to global scientific progress. By investing in foundational genomic research, Dubai Health is helping to ensure that Arab populations are represented in the future of precision healthcare.
The full study is available at:
Dubai Health and GE HealthCare, a leading global medical technology and digital solutions innovator, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on enhancing Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) practices and co-developing innovative AI solutions to support clinical decision-making, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes across the UAE and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The collaboration combines Dubai Health’s academic and innovation expertise with GE HealthCare’s advanced technological capabilities to enhance medical education, strengthen clinical decision-making, and improve health outcomes throughout the UAE and the broader MENA region.
The MoU will establish Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) as a POCUS Education Center of Excellence and a pioneer in Point-of-Care Ultrasound education across the MENA region.
Key initiatives include: a ‘Train-of-Trainer (TOT)’ structured program to build capacity in certified facilitators and trainers. The Facilitator Training Program will also enhance the scalability and effectiveness of POCUS program delivery and execution across a broader geographical region, enabling wider participation of attendees, students, and delegates.
In addition, the collaboration will extend to the co-development of AI solutions through Dubai Health Innovations, which supports transformative solutions that enhance patient care, drive medical advancements, and improve health outcomes. This partnership will focus on the development and validation of emerging AI technologies in areas of mutual interest, such as radiology and computer vision, aiming to improve diagnostic accuracy, streamline clinical workflows, and facilitate early detection of medical conditions. Through this joint effort, both parties seek to foster innovation, accelerate adoption of cutting-edge AI tools, and contribute to the advancement of healthcare delivery in the region.
Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Acting Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health and Provost of MBRU said: “This collaboration reflects Dubai Health’s commitment to delivering on our “Patient First” promise through the integration of care, learning, and innovation to elevate healthcare standards. By building capacity in POCUS education and co-developing AI-powered solutions, we are empowering clinicians with next-generation technologies to improve patient outcomes.”
President of GE HealthCare EAGM (Eurasian and African Growth Markets), Konstantinos Deligiannis, said: “This MoU marks a pivotal moment for POCUS advancement in the MENA region. We are excited to partner with Dubai Health to build skills, accelerate knowledge transfer, and strengthen the local and regional healthcare expertise. By combining our advanced ultrasound technology with innovative AI solutions, we are committed to enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, ultimately contributing to the region’s broader healthcare objectives.”
Dr. Rasha Buhumaid, Vice Dean of Graduate Medical Education, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, and Program Director of POCUS at MBRU, further commented: “This partnership is a significant step toward realizing our vision of positioning MBRU as a Center of Excellence for Point-of-Care Ultrasound education. Through the Facilitator Training Program and other initiatives, this collaboration enables us to strengthen the integration of POCUS into clinical practice, build sustainable expertise, and support better outcomes at the point of care and across the health system.”
Professor Nabil Zary, Senior Director of the Institute of Learning at Dubai Health, also noted: “Education is at the heart of sustainable healthcare transformation. This partnership with GE HealthCare enables us to deliver high-impact, evidence-based training in POCUS that not only equips clinicians with advanced skills but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and innovation.”
The MoU between the two parties will be in effect for two years and is renewable by mutual agreement.
Scientists at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), which leads the Learning and Discovery missions of Dubai Health, have identified a novel genetic disorder affecting children’s growth and development. Published in a leading journal, The American Journal of Human Genetics, this study identifies a problem in the FBXO22 gene, which causes various health issues in children, including growth restriction, intellectual disability, and other physical challenges. This discovery could enable more accurate diagnosis and genetic counseling, supporting informed family planning and long-term care for affected families.
Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health and Provost of MBRU, said, “At Dubai Health, research is central to how we advance patient care and serve our communities. This study highlights the power of global collaboration and the impact of translational research at MBRU. We are proud to lead this important genetic discovery as part of a global collaboration and generate knowledge that holds real promise for patients and their families.”
The study included an international team of scientists and clinicians, led by Dr. Ahmad Abou Tayoun from MBRU. The team identified that mutations in the FBXO22 gene impair its function, leading to various developmental abnormalities. These include severe pre- and postnatal growth restrictions, intellectual disability, and additional complications affecting the cardiac, gastrointestinal, and skeletal systems.
Dr. Ahmad Abou Tayoun, Associate Professor of Genetics at MBRU and Director of Dubai Health’s Genomic Medicine Center, said, “This study demonstrates how genetic research on local populations can uncover the root causes of complex pediatric conditions, provide a framework for more accurate diagnosis and counseling, and contribute to global efforts to better understand the human genome. Through this discovery, we can provide a framework for more accurate diagnosis and genetic counseling, offering affected families meaningful answers to support future family planning. This work also highlights the importance of close collaborations with clinical teams, particularly the endocrinology team led by Dr. Nandu Thalange, who first identified and investigated the index case.”
The study included 16 cases from 14 families across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Lebanon. The team used advanced short- and long-read sequencing technology to study the children’s DNA and find the FBXO22 problem. The condition showed overlapping features with other known genetic disorders, further highlighting the critical role of FBXO22 in normal growth and development.
Dr. Fahad Ali, Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology at MBRU, said, “A key aspect of this study was identifying a unique marker in the blood that serves as a molecular fingerprint for this condition. This discovery could pave the way for a simple diagnostic test, enabling earlier detection and better support for affected families.”
The study was supported by funding from the Al Jalila Foundation, MBRU, and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Center of Excellence for Smart Health, among others. It reflects MBRU’s ongoing mission to address pressing health challenges through innovative research and global partnerships.