Zahra Habib – Photography: Suhail Minister
“Bahrain has a technical and educational infrastructure that qualifies it to become a regional center for applied medical research.” This is what was concluded by the professor of microbiology and infectious diseases at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Arab Gulf University, Professor Dr. Khaled Mubarak bin Dinah in an interview with “Al -Watan”, but he defined conditions, including the establishment of research centers specialized in infectious diseases and biotechnology, and joint technical incubators for researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop new products, establish a Gulf research network that exchanges samples, data and technologies, and providing scholarships for national competencies with international research centers.
The dialogue did not stop with Dr. Bin Dinah on future visions, but also focused on achievements presented by medical scientific research, on top of which is a research on antibiotics resistance, prompted health authorities to modify treatment protocols and reduce therapeutic failure rates from 25% to 12%, due to the prediction of the exacerbation of sepsis by identifying early indicators that predict the high risk of death by more than 50%, which reduced deaths by 20% in intensive care units. On artificial intelligence, d. Bin Dinah by talking about his current use of analyzing microscopic slices, predicting the pathway, and managing antibiotics.
In an era in which scientific innovations accelerate, and health challenges are increasing, the role of academics and researchers in drawing the medical future features is highlighted. From this standpoint, “Al -Watan” interviewed Professor Dr. Khaled Mubarak bin Dinah.
Dr. Khaled Al -Alami for more than twenty years, during which he moved between UK laboratories and research and education facilities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He participated in many international conferences, and has published dozens of research papers in international judges.
Bin Dinah recently won the British Royal College of Pathology in the United Kingdom, and this fellowship is a high level of research performance, and it opens to Dr. Bin Dinah is new horizons to join an international network of specialists, and to participate in international workshops and conferences, which enhances his professional skills, and contributes to exchanging experiences and experiences.
And to the details of the dialogue:
How did your academic journey begin? What attracted you to the field of microbiology and infectious diseases?
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biology from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I joined the College of Health Sciences, the Ministry of Health. I was sent to obtain a master’s degree in medical microbiology at the University of London, and then joined the Arab Gulf University, which I had sent to obtain a doctorate from the same university.
I studied at this university more than twenty batch of the finest Arab Gulf doctors, as well as I had the opportunity to work in laboratories equipped at the highest level. Work began on numerous scientific research on resistance to antibiotics, stomach bacteria, blood infections, as well as the genetic analysis of the coffee virus in Bahrain. I also supervised the master’s and doctoral research for students, which ignited the passion for scientific research.
This was followed by an international workshop for laboratory planting techniques and measuring immune indicators, and I started studying a bachelor’s degree in an interactive manner based on case studies. My vision revolves around the rooting of the critical scientific method of students, and motivating them to question and experiment with, because of this a direct impact on preparing distinguished doctors and researchers.
Specific stations What are the most prominent stations that polished your professional experience so far?
– The first quality station was the doctoral scholarship that the Arab Gulf University Council gave me after the Master, where my research thesis dealt with bacteria resisting bacteria for antibiotics. The results were published in Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, which opened in front of the prospects for cooperation with research centers in Europe and Asia.
Second, I assumed the position of coordinator of the Graduate Studies Program for Medical Laborators, and I launched advanced workshops in the methodology of scientific research and international scholarship writing, and I established an internal jury to evaluate student projects.
Third, and participated in scientific research in the college, and succeeded in financing applied research projects, which included partnerships with the Ministry of Health and private sector companies. These administrative and academic experiences gave me a comprehensive vision of the needs of effective scientific research.
Choose and its importance
Why did you choose the specialization of microbiology and infectious diseases in particular?
– This specialization is considered one of the most vibrant and influential areas, as it combines laboratory research with direct clinical application. When the doctor can determine the precise organism that causes infection and know its resistance to anti -anti -anti -anti -anti -anti -anti -action, it can provide a dedicated treatment that reduces complications and speeds up recovery.
In terms of “one health”, I realized that human health is closely related to animal and environment health, which requires an integrated research in the fields of veterinary medicine and the environment. Therefore, I worked to develop courses that integrate this concept, and established a research laboratory linking the college with the laboratories of the Ministry of Health to follow up the spread of animal diseases origin.
The most prominent research and achievements
Tell us about the most important research that you implemented and its impact on medical practice?
Helicobacter Pilory resistance to antibiotics: Our study showed strains resistant to chisrithromycin and amoxicillin, prompting health authorities to adjust the treatment protocols and reduce therapeutic failure rates from 25% to 12%.
– Sepsis: Using genetic analysis and proteinx techniques, we have identified early indicators that predict the high risk of death by more than 50%, and the shares of the adoption of these indicators in intensive care units by lowering deaths by 20%.
National initiatives: I participated in formulating a national guide for infection management in hospitals, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, relying on the results of our research.
She also received a British fellowship in infectious diseases, and participated in international arbitration committees and training workshops for organizations such as WhO and CDC.
Challenges
What are the most prominent challenges facing researchers in your specialty inside Bahrain?
Challenges are:
1. The lack of national cadres: The dependence on foreign competencies in laboratories and hospitals is still limited, which limits the transfer of experience to Bahrainis.
2. Limited financing: Although there is a good infrastructure, research financing remains less than regional representation, which hinders long -term projects.
3. Weak coordination with the industry: Universities lack effective partnerships with the pharmaceutical and technical sector, so research remains in a theoretical framework without moving to commercial application.
4. Scientific research culture: Science and technology graduates need greater encouragement to follow up graduate studies and participation in conferences.
Therefore, I call for the establishment of a Bahraini financing fund funded by the government and the private sector, the activation of an annual research grant program, and the launch of technical incubators that combine the academy and the industry.
Environmental variables and lifestyle
How do environmental changes and lifestyle affect the spread of infectious diseases?
Climate changes lead to high temperatures, floods and dehydration, which causes diseases carrier to move towards human gatherings.
For example, dengue fever increases in new areas as a result of the expansion of the spread of the abuser mosquitoes. The forest cuts also led to the overlap of wildlife with residential areas, as happened with the Ebola virus in West Africa. On the other hand, the frequency of life and the increase in international travel enabled us to viruses and bacteria from the rapid spread of countries, so it has become necessary to adopt epidemic control systems that depend on the analysis of climate and environmental data, and linking them with public health systems to expect new focus early.
Modern technologies
What are the latest techniques in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases?
The latest technologies include:
Full genetic sequence (WGS): It allows the identification of antibiotic -resistant mutations with high accuracy within 24 hours.
– Crispr-Based Diagnostics: such as SHerlock technology, which uses a chrisper system to immediately detect microbial DNA in blood or saliva samples.
– Nanopore sequenceing: Resurrected techniques that allow field diagnosis in remote areas without the need for advanced laboratories.
-Point -f-Care Tests: Quick diagnostic devices showing results in minutes, suitable for emergencies and rural clinics.
These technologies not only speed up the diagnosis, but also improve the management of antibiotics by giving a complete image of the resistance pattern, which limits random use.
artificial intelligence
How artificial intelligence contributes to your specialization?
It is currently used in several aspects:
– Analysis of microscopic slices: deep learning algorithms recognize bacterial or fungal patterns that exceed the abstract eye.
Prediction of the course of the disease: Automated learning models combine clinical and genetic data to estimate the risks of pathological development.
– Antibiotics management: smart systems that are nominated for the most appropriate anti -patient patient based on health registry data and resistance analyzes.
Despite these capabilities, the doctor’s role remains pivotal in verifying the validity of the recommendations and controlling the treatment plan according to the patient’s individual condition and health conditions.
In the future, the integration between electronic health records and artificial intelligence will increase, making the diagnosis faster and more specialized.
Future vision
How do you see the future of medical research and innovation in Bahrain and the Gulf region?
– I see that Bahrain has a technical and educational infrastructure that qualifies it to become a regional center for applied medical research, provided that:
1- Establishing research centers specialized in the fields of infectious diseases and biotechnology.
2- Activating academic-industrial partnerships: technical incubators that provide common spaces for researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop new products.
3- Launching local and Gulf competitive grant programs to support post-PhD projects and encourage innovation.
4- Developing national competencies through scholarships and training experiences in international research centers.
5- Enhancing Gulf cooperation by establishing a joint research network that exchanges samples, data and technologies.
With these steps, Bahrain and the Gulf region can achieve a qualitative shift in the face of infectious diseases and enhance sustainable health security.
Is there a final word?
– In conclusion, I want to emphasize that investing in scientific research and medical education is the best way to face the current and future health challenges, and through the concerted efforts of academics, researchers and decision makers, the Kingdom of Bahrain can take a pioneering position in combating infectious diseases and enhancing public health at the region level.
