HBKU CHLS participates in Qatar Biobank-supported study

HBKU CHLS participates in Qatar Biobank-supported study

Doha – Researchers from Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Sidra Medicine, and the Brandenburg Medical School conducted a study utilizing the genomic data and serum samples of 800 Qatar-based participants to identify variation in certain immune genes that can affect the production of antibodies that cause allergic reactions to otherwise harmless substances.

The research team looked at changes within genes that control our immune system, specifically the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes, to see if certain changes can promote or protect against allergic reactions. They were interested in the production of a subtype of antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which can trigger allergic overreactions. To conduct their research, the team used data and samples from Qatar Biobank, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development. Qatar Biobank invites Qatari citizens and long-term residents of Qatar to participate in a larger effort to help researchers understand how diseases develop and use that information to help prevent illnesses in the future. Participants provide information about their lifestyles, medical history, and provide biological samples, such as blood and serum. This study took advantage of the available resources collected by Qatar Biobank from