Revolutionary Research on Personalized Cancer Treatment Using Zebrafish Avatar discussed at GMU
Ajman (Press Release): Gulf Medical's University and Thumbay Research Institute of Precision Medicine marked the Research Day, sharing insights from leading minds on the region’s first pilot research on personalized precision medicine programme using the Zebrafish Avatars to treat cancer- with the first phase focusing on the care of patients suffering from colorectal and breast cancer. The study’s findings aim to help researchers and oncology healthcare providers to design more tailored and effective treatments based on genetic screening, data on tumor progression and subsequently assessing the need and efficacy of chemotherapy versus other advanced surgical alternatives. In this way, the research further intends to reduce the trial-and-error response in oncology medicine combined with the preservation of organ function and, improve the overall quality of life.
Dr. Rita Fior, PhD, Group Leader Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, elaborated, “The research has been conducted by developing Zebrafish xenografts with a very clear goal of personalized medicine. We live in a world with such amazing technology that helps us to go to the moon, fly planes, zoom over the world, advanced technologies in biology, sequencing of whole genomes, etc. However, once a patient is diagnosed with cancer, they are most likely to be treated with chemo or radiotherapy- although many new amazing targeted therapies are being developed and great advances have been made. By directly challenging the cells and measuring the response to direct perturbation, we have found good predictive analysis that can aid the entire process of diagnostics, therapy, and tailor it to the needs of the specific
individual.”
An avatar is an animal that has been incubated with a person’s cancer cells so that doctors can test drug effectiveness on the animal tumor first. With several avatars, doctors can test several treatments. But obtaining a tumor assay from a mouse avatar could take months. And people fighting cancer don’t have months. In recent times, the Zebrafish has successfully created human cancer avatars where the tumors are ready to be assayed in just four days.
Speaking about the research, Professor Hossam Hamdy, chancellor, Gulf Medical University, said, “As the leading health professions’ education institution in UAE, Gulf Medical University looks forward to playing a central role in the advancement of oncology diseases research landscape, incorporating the rich multi-factorial data to tailor treatment and significantly reduce the risks associated with chemotherapy. We are confident that our work will contribute to UAE’s efforts in spearheading the growth and development of the healthcare sector.”
On similar lines, Prof. Salem Chouaib, Director of the Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, stated, “In every area of cancer, treatments have largely functioned on a one-size-fits-all basis because we didn’t have tools to do any better. Going forward, the advancements in precision medicine will help in determining whether patients are likely to benefit from a particular therapy, longer survival and fewer toxic effects of chemotherapy.”
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BCB official calling Tamim 'an Indian agent' invites wrath of Bangladesh players
Dhaka (PTI): A senior Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official calling former captain Tamim Iqbal "an Indian agent" has not gone down well with the players in the country.
Tamim, one of the finest openers to have come out of Bangladesh, had advised the BCB to not be driven by emotion while deciding the way forward on the national team's participation in the T20 World Cup in India.
Nazmul, chairman of BCB finance committee, called the left-hander opener "an Indian agent" in a Facebook post.
"This time, the people of Bangladesh witnessed, with their own eyes, the emergence of yet another proven Indian agent," he wrote.
The post received immediate backlash from former and current cricketers, including Taskin Ahmed, Momimul Haque and Taijul Islam.
Even the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) expressed shock at Nazmul's comments.
"A comment made by BCB director M Nazmul Islam regarding former national captain Tamim Iqbal has come to the attention of the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh. We are stunned, shocked, and outraged by it.
"Such a remark by a board official about the most successful opener in Bangladesh's history, who represented the country for 16 years, is utterly condemnable.
"Not only because it concerns a player like Tamim, but such comments about any cricketer of the country are unacceptable and insulting to the entire cricketing community," the players' body said in a statement.
The 36-year-old Tamim played 70 Tests, 243 ODIs and 78 T20 Internationals for his country in a fairly accomplished career.
"We strongly protest against this comment. When a responsible board director makes such remarks on a public platform, it also raises serious questions about the code of conduct of board officials," it said.
"We have already submitted a protest letter to the BCB president, demanding a public apology from the concerned board director and that he be brought under accountability. We hope the BCB president will take appropriate action as soon as possible," CWAB added.
Bangladesh wrote to the International Cricket Council to move their T20 World Cup games out of India after the BCCI instructed IPL franchise KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the 2026 edition without giving a specific reason.
"Cricket is the life of Bangladesh. A recent comment surrounding a former national captain who has made a major contribution to the game has caused many to reflect," said pacer Taskin.
"I believe that such remarks directed at a former cricketer of the country are not helpful in the interest of Bangladesh cricket. I hope the concerned authorities will consider the matter seriously and adopt a more responsible stance in the future," he said.
Mominul added: "The comment made by BCB director M Nazmul Islam regarding former national captain Tamim Iqbal is completely unacceptable and insulting to the country's cricketing community. Such behaviour towards a cricketer is in direct conflict with the board's responsibility and ethics," said Mominul.
"A senior cricketer was not given even the minimum respect; instead, he was deliberately humiliated in public. Such remarks show a lack of even basic decorum regarding where and how to speak while holding such a high responsibility.
"I strongly condemn this comment and firmly demand a public apology from the concerned director and that he be brought under accountability. I call upon the BCB to take swift and strict action," said Mominul.
