Ain Shams University Hosts the First Conference to Launch the Arab Biobank Network (ABN)

Today, Ain Shams University hosted the inaugural conference announcing the launch of the Arab Biobank Network (ABN) under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Diaa Zain Al-Abidin, President of Ain Shams University, and Prof. Dr. Ali Al-Anwar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Ain Shams University.

This event marked the signing of agreements related to the project, organized by the Arab Council for Scientific Research in collaboration with the university. It was attended by a distinguished group of prominent figures, including:

- Prof. Dr. Abdelmajid Ben Amara, Secretary-General of the Arab Council for Scientific Research.
- Prof. Dr. Gehan El-Feki, Acting President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology.
- General Dr. Mohamed El-Gohary, Director of the Medical Research and Regenerative Medicine Center.
- Prof. Dr. Hesham El-Ghazaly, Director of the Ain Shams Medical Research Institute (MASRI).
- Prof. Dr. Zisis Kozlakidis, Director of the Biobank at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the WHO.
- Dr. Nahla Abdel Aziz, former Director of the Qatar Biobank.
- Prof. Dr. Maher Al-Sagheer, Director of the Jordan Biobank.
- Dr. Amany Maher, Chair of the Arab Biobank Network, Principal Investigator of the project, and Executive Director of the Biobank at MASRI.

Representatives from biobanks across Arab countries also participated, along with Prof. Dr. Osama Mansour, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for Postgraduate Studies and Research, and Prof. Dr. Rania Salah, Vice Dean for Education and Students Affairs.

Key Highlights:
Prof. Dr. Hesham El-Ghazaly highlighted in his speech that the Cancer Biobank at MASRI is the first of its kind at Egyptian universities. It houses over 30,000 samples from major cancer types, including breast, lung, bladder, colon, and rectal cancers. He emphasized the strategic importance of biobanks in advancing scientific research, developing innovative drugs, and diagnostic technologies for disease analysis and prediction.

He further noted that Egypt leads this project in partnership with Qatar and Jordan, with other Arab countries like Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya expected to join soon. He expressed optimism about achieving new patents in cancer research through these collaborations.
Additionally, he pointed out that the Cancer Biobank at Ain Shams is a member of IARC and serves as the central hub for Arab biobanks.

Statements from Officials:
Dr. Abdelmajid Ben Amara stressed the importance of the Arab Biobank Network as a pioneering platform under the Arab League's umbrella. He praised Egypt’s leadership in scientific research, citing Ain Shams University as a model of exceptional scientific output since the late 19th century.

He further explained that this initiative is one of 28 research projects aimed at fostering joint Arab efforts in scientific research, in collaboration with international partners. The Arab Biobank Network seeks to empower researchers from across Arab countries to collaborate and connect with their global counterparts, facilitating cultural and scientific exchange.

To support the network's expansion, Dr. Ben Amara announced increased financial support to integrate new countries into the Arab Biobank Network.