Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The forward-thinking vision of the UAE leadership has contributed to creating a nurturing environment for healthcare innovation, said Carsten Wolff, Executive Director of Environmental Biotechnology at the Biotechnology Research Center (BRC) at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII).
His remarks were made in an interview with Aletihad on Monday on the sidelines of the inaugural edition of the Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week (ADGHW) hosted by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
The BRC harnesses cutting-edge molecular, cellular, and digital technologies to advance bio-robotics, environmental solutions, and healthcare. It operates under the umbrella of the TII, a leading global research centre attracting top scientists.
Overseen by the Abu Dhabi Government’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), TII spearheads research in AI, robotics, quantum computing, cryptography, and more. VentureOne, the commercialisation arm of TII, accelerates the market entry of innovative research solutions, while monetising intellectual property from TII’s centres and beyond.
Wolff noted that the establishment of TII and its affiliated centres underscores a commitment by the UAE to diversify its economy and enhance security through innovation in various sectors, including food, water, healthcare, and agriculture.
He emphasised the institute’s pivotal role in transforming ideas into commercially viable entities, fostering an ecosystem conducive to innovation and economic growth.
Wolff further highlighted the institute’s expertise in biotechnology, addressing pressing healthcare issues through initiatives such as bioproduction from marine algae and bacteria, genomic approaches to disease management, and agritech innovations to combat environmental challenges.
BRC integrates AI and digital science in healthcare, leveraging big data to drive advancements in bioinformatics, molecular biology, biomedicine, and biorobotics, according to Wolff. He also reflected on the significance of the ADGHW, showcasing the UAE as a hub for technology-driven healthcare solutions and fostering collaboration with international partners.
Networking and collaboration play an integral role in advancing healthcare innovation, said Wolff, noting the institute’s commitment to continuous growth and innovation, underpinned by the UAE’s visionary long-term plans.
Also speaking with Aletihad, Filippo Castiglione, Executive Director of Bioinformatics at the Biotechnology Research Centre, discussed its role in assisting labs with experimental data analysis and supporting hospitals in therapy optimisation and diagnosis.
He said that the bioinformatics team leverages AI and digital sciences, such as large language models, for image and text analysis. The team brings together diverse expertise, Castiglione said, noting the importance of collaboration for innovation.
He emphasised the interdisciplinary nature of biomedical research and the potential of computational biology to revolutionise the field, comparing it to the role of experimental physics in theoretical physics.
Castiglione believes the focus on healthcare innovation in Abu Dhabi, highlighted through the ADGHW will have a broader impact in the UAE and the region, especially considering global needs highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
