Abu Dhabi to develop genome surgery centres in new partnership

CRISPR-based technologies will be used for customised treatments.

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has partnered with the University of California, San Francisco, and the Innovative Genomics Institute to explore the establishment of centres for genome surgery in Abu Dhabi and California.

The centres would focus on diagnosing and correcting severe genetic conditions at an early stage.

Genome surgery is a medical technique aimed at modifying or replacing faulty genes within cells to treat or prevent diseases.

The centres will use CRISPR-based technologies to support customised, genome-guided treatments.

The collaboration also includes plans to train Emirati professionals in genomic surgery and clinical innovation.