Qatar
Qatar Biobank (QBB), operating under the Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI) and Qatar Foundation, is a national resource advancing health research by collecting biological samples and health information from the population of Qatar. As the designated National Node, the biobank enables groundbreaking studies on diseases prevalent in Qatar and the wider region. By integrating lifestyle, clinical and genetic data, it supports precision medicine, pharmacogenomics and population health research. ISO certifications and CAP accredited processes supports high quality biomedical and translational medicine research in line with the national vision and health strategy of the country.
QBB-QPHI is a unique collaboration between science and society, building knowledge to improve healthcare and create a healthier future for generations to come. More about BBMRI.qa.
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Areas of expertise
Sample and data collection of population and disease cohort participants in underrepresented Qatari/Arab population groups with deep phenotypic data.
Biobanking sustainability and laboratory automation. Innovation-driven, continuously integrates new technologies to improve sustainability and efficiency. Digital platforms link sample tracking, processing and retrieval, ensuring traceability and efficiency.
Biobank Quality Management — Establishing robust, ISO 20387 and Qatar Health Research Law–aligned processes for the handling of biological samples and associated data to ensure the highest standards of accuracy, reliability and international credibility in biobanking operations.
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Achievements
Continued integration of Qatar Biobank and Qatar Genome under Qatar Precision Health Institute transforms Qatar’s biobanking and genomics ecosystem into a cohesive translational medicine platform, linking population research with clinical practice to deliver precision healthcare.
Cohort 5-Year Follow-Up Visits. Successfully ramped up Follow-Up Visit 1 and initiated Follow-Up Visit 2 for its participant cohorts, marking a major milestone in long-term population health research. This achievement strengthens the biobank’s ability to generate longitudinal data, track disease progression and provide deeper insights into the impact of genetics, lifestyle, and environment on health outcomes in Qatar.
Qatar Biobank continues to champion biobanking education by supporting local and international students through structured visits, internships and hands-on training programs in collaboration with leading universities. Our active presence at global biobanking events — such as European Biobanking Week and ISBER 2025 — includes delivering expert presentations, hosting competency-based workshops like Developing a ‘Strong Laboratory Workforce’, and leading roundtable discussions on laboratory validation and verification. Contributing to national knowledge-sharing platforms, including webinar series hosted by the Ministry of Public Health.
Achievements linked to calendar year 2025
National Node Director: Dr. Fatima Qafoud
✉️ Email: fqafoud@qf.org.qa