Abu Dhabi to establish state-of-the-art health and life sciences laboratories as part of its Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) have partnered with Masdar City to establish state-of-the-art health and life sciences laboratories in order to foster a thriving ecosystem for researchers and entrepreneurs in the emirate.
The partnership was signed as part of Abu Dhabi's recently launched Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster at Abu Dhabi Global Health Week 2025 (ADGHW), being held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi until April 17, 2025.
In the presence of Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, the agreement was signed by Dr Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at DoH, Dr Fatma Al Mulla, Head of the HELM Cluster at ADIO, and Mohamed Al Breiki, Executive Director of Sustainable Development at Masdar City.The agreement covers a number of key pillars, including the development of laboratory spaces within Masdar City that are equipped with advanced technologies to accommodate cutting-edge scientific investigation, and the development of collaborative programmes to attract top-tier researchers and start-ups.
The agreement will also seek to establish partnerships with academic institutions and industry leaders with the aim of promoting knowledge exchange and collaborative research projects, as well as to create incubator and accelerator programmes that support the growth of life-science start-ups. In addition, talent development will be a key pillar under the agreement, with a focus on implementing training programmes and workshops in collaboration with universities that offer internship and research opportunities for students, and institutions that organise regular scientific symposia and conferences to showcase research outcomes and attract international expertise.
The agreement will also emphasise the translation of research into economic value through the development of partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, promoting industry-sponsored research and clinical trials by means of a framework that measures and enhances the economic impact of the laboratories on Abu Dhabi's health and life sciences sector.
Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: 'Research and development is the key to driving innovation and sustainable development of the health and life sciences ecosystem, which in turn promotes proactive, holistic care of our communities. With partnerships such as these, we aim to strengthen our commitment towards creating a resilient ecosystem that will fuel the discovery of transformative care models and treatments. This initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi's mission to accelerate the future of healthcare not only for the UAE but for the global community.'Dr. Fatma Al Mulla, Head of the HELM Cluster at ADIO, said: 'This agreement signals Abu Dhabi's determination to shape the next frontier of life sciences. By building spaces that bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, and emerging technologies within our new HELM Cluster, we are cultivating an environment where scientific ambition can translate into practical breakthroughs. It's a step toward redefining how innovation contributes to health outcomes, global competitiveness and Abu Dhabi's long-term prosperity.'Under the agreement, ADIO, in collaboration with DoH and Masdar City, will develop a strategic framework to assess the long-term impact of the health and life sciences laboratories on Abu Dhabi's economic and healthcare priorities, reinforcing the emirate's position as a global research and innovation hub. ADIO will also facilitate global investment partnerships to help deliver high-impact scientific breakthroughs, and will play a key role in exploring mechanisms to ensure that talent development initiatives contribute to workforce sustainability.Mohamed Al Breiki, Executive Director of Sustainable Development at Masdar City, said: 'This agreement reinforces Masdar City's role as a cornerstone in Abu Dhabi's mission to become a global hub for life sciences and innovation. As home to a growing cluster of biotechnology, genomics, and research-driven companies within our free zone, we offer a thriving ecosystem designed to support scientific advancement, cross-sector collaboration, and talent development. Through this partnership, we are building purpose-designed laboratory spaces that meet international sustainability standards and serve as launchpads for groundbreaking research. Together with our partners, we aim to translate science into scalable impact, contributing to Abu Dhabi's knowledge-based economy and the objectives of the Falcon Economy.'The strategic partnership between DoH, ADIO and Masdar City to establish labs that meet the international standards for safety, sustainability, and environmental responsibility in Abu Dhabi aligns with the 'Investment in life sciences: Driving global innovation forward' pillar of ADGHW. It aims to benefit the wider healthcare industry in the region, by fostering collaborations between researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and academicians to create future-ready frameworks for research and innovation.
ADGHW is a major government initiative from DoH and serves as a platform for innovation and collaboration under the theme 'Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being'. It places a strong emphasis on community-driven health and wellbeing, with a proactive approach centred around preventive, personalised, and holistic care.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
20 hours ago
- Al Etihad
7,000 steps a day may be enough for major health gains: Lancet study
24 July 2025 08:00 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)For years, the widely held belief has been that taking 10,000 steps a day is essential to reap the full health benefits of walking. But a new study offers encouraging news for those who find that goal out of reach: walking around 7,000 steps a day may be enough to significantly lower the risk of chronic diseases, cognitive decline, and premature in The Lancet Public Health journal, the comprehensive study analysed data from over 160,000 adults across 57 studies, with 31 included in meta-analyses. It provides the most robust evidence to date linking daily step counts to a wide range of health findings reveal that walking approximately 7,000 steps per day is associated with a 47% reduction in all-cause mortality. It also corresponds to a 25% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, a 6% drop in cancer risk, and a 14% reduction in the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, it found a 38% decrease in dementia risk, a 22% reduction in depression, and a 28% fall in the risk of physical earlier studies that primarily focused on heart disease or death rates, this research examined the impact of walking on multiple serious health conditions. While benefits continued to rise beyond 7,000 steps for some outcomes, such as heart disease, most health gains levelled off around that authors suggest that 7,000 steps a day may be a more realistic and attainable goal than the popular but unofficial 10,000-step target, especially for people who are less active. Even relatively low levels of walking—such as 4,000 steps per day—were found to offer better health outcomes compared to sedentary lifestyles, typically defined as fewer than 2,000 steps a day. Aletihad spoke to UAE-based doctors to gather their views on the findings. 'Walking is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools we have to protect our health,' said Dr. Shahzad Moorkkan Ubaidulla, Specialist Family Medicine at Aster Clinic, Al Nahda, cautioned against treating step goals as a one-size-fits-all metric. 'A young, active adult might aim for 8,000 to 10,000 steps daily, while older adults, individuals with joint issues, or those with heart or lung conditions may benefit more from starting at 3,000 to 5,000 steps and building up gradually,' he said. Such personalised targets, he added, help prevent injury, avoid discouragement, and ensure the activity is safe and Ubaidulla noted that many people accumulate steps incidentally throughout the day. 'Standing up every 30 to 60 minutes during work, taking the stairs, parking farther away, or pacing during phone calls are practical ways to increase step count. These small changes also reduce joint stiffness,' he said.'Even modest increases in daily activity can significantly improve energy levels, reduce fatigue, and support joint health over time,' he Virendra Kumar Misra, Head of the Department of Cardiology at Burjeel Day Surgery Centre, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, echoed the study's emphasis on achievable goals.'Any kind of physical activity is protective when compared to no activity. However, the question has always been: how much is enough?' he said.'Guidelines from the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association (AHA), and the European Society of Cardiology recommend 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity as protective.'Dr. Misra affirmed the relevance of the 7,000-step target. 'The risk of heart attack and stroke is reduced. Blood pressure and blood sugar levels are better controlled, and there is significant improvement in stress, anxiety, and cognitive function,' he Khuloud Al Zubaidi, Specialist Family Medicine at Burjeel Day Surgery Centre, also welcomed the findings. 'At a time when fitness can often feel complicated or inaccessible, it's encouraging to see that a basic daily habit can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, cognitive decline, and even premature death,' she said. 'It serves as a powerful reminder that prevention doesn't have to be complex — small steps can lead to big health gains.'While the UK's National Health Service (NHS) does not recommend step targets based on age, it generally advises aiming for around 10,000 steps daily. 'However, recent studies suggest a 'sweet spot' between 6,000 and 10,000 steps to improve longevity and reduce health risks,' Dr. Zubaidi said'For older adults over the age of 65, especially those with mobility limitations, 6,000 to 8,000 steps may be a more realistic and beneficial target,' she Sreeram Gopalakrishnan, Specialist Cardiologist at Aster Clinic, Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai, stressed the importance of consistency.'Regular physical activity that elevates the heart rate, when performed consistently throughout the day, has been shown to reduce the incidence of heart attacks and strokes,' he also warned about the dangers of sedentary lifestyles. 'Prolonged sitting is associated with increased risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even mortality,' he said.'The AHA therefore recommends reducing sedentary time and incorporating more physical activity into daily routines to mitigate these risks.''Walking 7,000 steps a day, although not ideal, can be considered a minimum benchmark, as the study shows it correlates with a 70% lower risk of mortality compared to 4,000 steps,' he added.'Importantly, 7,000 steps is a sustainable goal for many people with sedentary jobs or older adults. While 10,000 steps may offer additional benefits, it is often harder to maintain. Individuals with arthritis, heart conditions, or those recovering from illness will need customised plans that include short bursts of walking spread throughout the day,' Dr. Gopalakrishnan on the origins of the 10,000-step goal, Dr. Yasir Shafi, Homeopathy Practitioner at Wellth, Dubai, said the figure was not scientifically grounded. 'The idea that 10,000 steps a day is the gold standard was never rooted in clinical science — it originated from a Japanese marketing campaign in the 1960s. This new research challenges that cultural myth and presents a more nuanced, evidence-based benchmark,' he said.'What the data consistently shows is that you don't need to be an athlete to benefit from physical activity. Even modest daily movement — in this case, 6,000 to 8,000 steps — can be beneficial,' he Shafi emphasised that the shift from 10,000 to 7,000 steps is not just a numbers game but a move towards realistic, sustainable behaviour change. 'For many individuals — especially older adults, people recovering from illness, or those with sedentary jobs — achieving 10,000 steps a day can feel discouragingly out of reach,' he said. 'Rather than promoting a universal target, step goals should be seen as adaptive frameworks that evolve according to a person's health status, motivation, and physical capacity.' 'This study is not about lowering the bar — it's about redefining success in a way that aligns with human behaviour, clinical science, and long-term adherence,' Dr. Shafi concluded.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Following the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council's approval, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research unveils new calendar for university academic year 2025-2026
23 July 2025 20:41 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Following the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council's approval, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has announced a new academic calendar structure to be implemented across all public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) for the academic year 2025-2026, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing the national education new structure introduces key changes to end-of-term holidays to create a more flexible and consistent academic calendar across UAE-based HEIs. Aligned with the 'Year of Community' objectives, the structure aims to foster family cohesion and support students through a balanced distribution of study and break Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, noted that the new academic calendar reflects the Ministry's commitment to creating an integrated university environment that meets student needs, enhances academic life and boosts student Excellency Dr. Al Awar added: 'This step reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the higher education system by aligning academic policies with community development goals and student needs. The changes mark a qualitative shift toward a more flexible, balanced system that supports students' well-being, community engagement and personal growth.'Under the new structure, the university academic year will start on 25 August 2025, with major holidays aligning with the school calendar. These include a four-week winter break from 8 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, with classes resuming on 5 January 2026, as well as a two-week spring break from 16 to 29 March 2026, with classes resuming on 30 March 2026. The academic year will end on 3 July 2025, offering a clearer and more balanced schedule that supports students' learning and wellbeing. All UAE-based higher education institutions must follow a unified academic year start and end date, with exceptions for international universities aligned with their home calendars. The mandate also allows flexibility in determining the start date of the academic year in line with the requirements of academic programs and specializations at higher education institutions, as well as flexibility in setting the end date of the academic year based on the timing of the summer semesters. While also allowing the flexibility to adjust the holiday dates by up to one week before or after the specified dates, provided the holiday duration remains unchanged. Adoption of the new academic calendar is a strategic move aligned with national efforts to advance higher education by offering a more flexible, high-quality experience that meets students' academic and person
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
'Forever Chemicals' linked to higher risk of Type 2 diabetes
23 July 2025 13:36 NEW YORK (ALETIHAD) Exposure to a class of synthetic chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—often called 'forever chemicals'—may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study led by Mount Sinai researchers. The findings were published on Tuesday in eBioMedicine. The team conducted a nested case-control study - an observational study that is conducted within a larger cohort study - within BioMe, a large, electronic health record-linked research database comprising records of more than 70,000 study participants who have sought care at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City since 2007. Based on available data, the study analysed 180 people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and compared them to 180 similar individuals without diabetes. Researchers used blood samples to analyse PFAS levels—a group of chemicals used in everything from nonstick cookware to stain-resistant furniture to waterproof clothing—and found that higher levels of PFAS were associated with a significantly greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the each increase in range of PFAS exposure was linked to a 31 percent increase in risk. The team also found that these associations could be due to metabolic irregularities in amino acid biosynthesis and drug metabolism, which may help explain how PFAS affect the body's ability to regulate blood sugar.'PFAS are synthetic chemicals that resist heat, oil, water, and stains, and are found in countless everyday consumer products,' said Vishal Midya, PhD, MStat, corresponding author and Assistant Professor, Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.'Because they don't break down easily, PFAS accumulate in the environment—and in human bodies. Our study is one of the first to examine how these chemicals may disrupt the body's metabolism in ways that increase diabetes risk—particularly in diverse US populations.' Findings from this study underscore the importance of preventing PFAS exposures to promote public health and of advancing knowledge about potential mechanisms underlying the PFAS impacts on human metabolism. The researchers called for further research studies, integrating environmental with genetic data to better understand how environmental exposures interact with human metabolism and contribute to chronic disease. They also call for larger study populations, expanding over the life course, from preconception to elderly, to understand environmental health impacts across the lifespan and at vulnerable life periods. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
