Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Dubai Health to collaborate on genetic screening

Oxford Nanopore Technologies is entering into a strategic collaboration with Dubai Health to advance genetic screening services. This collaboration leverages Oxford Nanopore's cutting-edge sequencing technology, with adaptive sampling, to support Dubai Health’s role in the premarital genetic screening programme and clinical applications for hereditary disease prevention.

Premarital screening can provide peace of mind for couples planning on starting a family by informing them about their carrier status, which can guide family planning decisions and support the health of future generations. Early awareness through screening programmes enables informed choices, supports proactive healthcare planning, and contributes to improving health outcomes.

The first objective of the collaboration is to demonstrate the capabilities of Oxford Nanopore sequencing and adaptive sampling (targeted sequencing) in samples with a variety of known pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants, with a specific focus on structural variants that are challenging to interpret with short-read sequencing. The second objective is to demonstrate the utility of Oxford Nanopore sequencing with adaptive sampling in a prospective study of genetic screening couples to identify carrier status and risks. The third is to assess the value of reanalysis of the sequencing data at future time points.

By integrating Oxford Nanopore’s innovative and comprehensive sequencing capabilities into Dubai Health’s clinical workflows, the collaboration offers:

• Comprehensive genetic screening: Enhanced detection of complex genetic and epigenetic variations, supporting earlier diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.

• Enhanced variant insights: Utilisation of ‘adaptive sampling’, a dynamic method unique to Oxford Nanopore, which provides a simple and customised workflow for targeting specific genes of interest without a laboursome upfront capture method.

“Our collaboration with Dubai Health will support advancing genetic screening and pave the way for future innovations in personalised healthcare,” said Gordon Sanghera, CEO at Oxford Nanopore Technologies. “Our adaptive sampling technology enables deeper, more comprehensive genetic insights, empowering clinicians with the information they need to make timely, informed decisions.”

This collaboration aims to deliver accessible results that contribute to Dubai Health’s initiatives in genetic medicine. By analysing genetic diversity and the incidence of genetic variation, the collaboration will generate richer sequencing data to inform healthcare interventions for couples and families. It provides end-to-end solutions—from sample collection and sequencing to actionable reporting—that integrate with Dubai Health's operations.

Dr Ahmad Abou Tayoun, Director of Dubai Health Genomic Medicine Center, said: “This collaboration is an important step forward to strengthen our contributions to the premarital genetic screening program. It exemplifies our commitment to integrating the latest genomic technologies to provide our patients and couples with the best possible care while setting a new standard for genetic screening in the region.”

Dubai Health is committed to advancing genomic medicine to improve health outcomes. Through collaborations with private technology developers, like Oxford Nanopore, the academic healthcare system is enhancing its research capabilities and driving research initiatives that contribute to the broader development of genomic medicine in the region.

The collaboration reinforces Oxford Nanopore’s mission to make genomic analysis tools accessible worldwide, addressing local health needs with real-world applications. It also demonstrates Oxford Nanopore’s role in tackling critical health challenges and contributes to global advancements in genomic medicine through research and education.