research-v2

Arayssi Lab

Middle East Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium (MERAC)

Genetic Studies of Rheumatoid Arthritis in some Arab States

Our research focuses on studying the genetic basis of rheumatoid arthritis in Arab patients in Qatar and the Middle East. We are interested in determining the genetic architecture in this population by looking for 1) common alleles identified by GWAS in patients of other ancestries and for 2) rare mutations observed in families with the disease and in collaboration with the Broad Institute. Our research sites in the Middle East include in addition to Qatar, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates.

The main source of funding comes from the Qatar National Research Fund a member organization of Qatar Foundation. Qatar Foundation is leading a monumental and historical initiative to establish world-class scientific research at the heart of the Arab world/Middle East

Key collaborating institutions:

1) Jordan: Jordan Hospital
2) KSA: King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research center, Jeddah
3) Lebanon: American University of Beirut Medical Center
4) Qatar: Hamad Medical Corporation
5) UAE: Al Biraa Arthritis and Bone Clinic
6) USA: The Broad Institute