EU and Lebanon forge ahead in genomics research
Actions in this direction aim to promote closer scientific collaboration, pave the way for future association with EU Framework Programmes (FPs) and increase participation in EU-funded research projects. Contributing to the realisation of this broad vision, the LEB'IN (Lebanon-Europe 'on boarding' to innovate and enhance research links in health) project worked to establish a framework of cooperation between Lebanon's high-ranking Saint Joseph University (USJ) and its long-term French partner Aix Marseille University (AMU). It connected the two academic institutions to enhance Lebanon's health research potential, especially in relatively new fields such as genomics. This bodes well for the field across the region as well as in the EU. Efforts involved twinning activities and international cooperation events (e.g. networking and brokerage) were also organised to improve USJ capacities in particular fields. An international institute provided methodological, coaching and training support to project partners. Training sessions held in France and Lebanon helped USJ staff acquire the skills needed to participate in EU-funded projects. More than 30 health stakeholders from Lebanon and internationally contributed to producing a development strategy for USJ. The consortium included a Lebanese incubator and business development centre, bringing in the dimension of research-industry partnerships. One project focus was on next-generation sequencing for improved diagnosis and treatment of rare autosomal recessive hereditary diseases. This involved common research programmes to identify mutated genes in large blood-related families based on high-throughput screening strategies such as massive parallel sequencing. Other activities included seminars, technical scientific workshops, short-term researcher exchanges, summer schools and satellite workshops. LEB'IN produced over 10 publications as well as newsletters and news articles. A final large-scale conference was also organised, and project work was promoted through a congress for geneticists in France and a key international congress in Belgium. LEB'IN succeeded in boosting bilateral scientific cooperation between USJ and AMU, which also individually strengthened their respective competences. USJ now has the potential to become a key player in overcoming fragmentation in EU–Lebanon research on human genomics. Overall, project work and outcomes promise new opportunities for high-level genomics research and positive impacts for Lebanon's health and economy while contributing to EU research in the field.
Keywords
Genomics, health research, international cooperation, next-generation sequencing, hereditary diseases
