www.thepeninsulaqatar.com CAMPUS | 4 HEALTH & FITNESS | 9 ENTERTAINMENT | 11 Open House at Tired of Juhi Chawla may PEC proves a treadmills? Try star in TV big success the elliptical show TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2016 Email: [email protected] thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar BRAIN TUMOUR BREAKTHROUGH An innovative research led by scientists at HBKU has suggested a new way of brain tumours, which could significantly impact patient management and may lead to the development of new drug therapies. P | 3 TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2016 | 03 COVER STORY HBKU and QCRI research sheds light into brain tumours The Peninsula investigation discovered that while this approach is generally good at distinguishing between tumours that are clearly very aggressive n innovative research led and those that are relatively slow by scientists at Hamad bin growing, it misses the mark in a Khalifa University (HBKU) significant percentage of cases, Ahas suggested a new way leading to inappropriate treatment. of brain tumours, which could signif- In producing the study, Ceccarelli icantly impact patient management worked closely with a large team and may lead to the development of of scientists from a number of new targeted drug therapies. major institutions around the world, The study into identifying the ag- including Columbia University gressiveness of brain tumours has Medical Center in New York, the received significant recognition at University of Texas MD Anderson the international platform. Cancer Center, and the University It has been published by Cell, of Sao Paulo in Brazil. By utilising a one of the influential scientific jour- global research network, Ceccarelli nals in the United States and one of and the other scientists were able the top twenty most highly ranked to analyse the complete genomic scientific journals globally. information of 1,122 patients with Michele Ceccarelli, a senior sci- both high and low grade tumours entist at Qatar Computing Research from the Cancer Genome Atlas. Institute (QCRI) and who specialis- “This project is an example of es in bioinformatics and computa- the advantage of Big Data. The tional biology, is the lead author of Cancer Genome Atlas mega-project the newly published scientific pa- was started a decade ago and has per. It includes an international task- involved collecting a huge amount force of scientists that offers a com- of information from thousands prehensive analysis of the molecular of patients with several types of characteristics of gliomas, which are tumours. In order to make our the most common type of malignant discovery, we worked with a large brain tumour, and suggests ways to network of more than 300 scientists more accurately treat patients and from around the world,” said guide their therapy. Ceccarelli. The paper explains why some “We used our expertise at QCRI patients who are diagnosed with to analyse the millions of pieces of slow-growing (low-grade) tumours information that formed a ‘data sometimes quickly succumb to the tsunami’ in order to identify common disease, while others with more ag- characteristics of various groups of gressive (high-grade) tumours are gliomas. Notably, it is the largest able to survive for several years. As available collection of information a result of this research, a new way on glioma worldwide, and as a result of classifying the tumours has been of our analysis we discovered two suggested, which could significant- novel subgroups of patients that ly impact on patient management were previously unknown,” he said. and may lead to the development of In addition to Ceccarelli’s new targeted drug therapies based lead authorship of the research on the identification of several pre- paper, the project also involved the viously unrecognised genetic alter- contribution of Samreen Anjum, who ations that may contribute to initial served as a QCRI intern at the time glioma development. of the study and has since become Currently, pathologists determine a full-time member of the research if a tumour is low grade or high team. Dr Ahmed Elmagarmid, grade based on investigation under Executive Director of QCRI, said, research work undertaken by members an important contributor to a paper the microscope of tissue taken “This is a proud achievement for our of our team can have a significant impact featured in the publication is a resounding from the tumour. By sifting through research institute and for HBKU, as on society. The journal Cell is extremely endorsement of Michele’s and Samreen’s large amounts of data, the new it demonstrates how the computing well regarded, so to be lead author and talents.” 04 | TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2016 CAMPUS MES School bids farewell to Class XII students ES Indian School bade fare- well to its Class XII students at a ceremony held at the K MG Auditorium of the school. Over 600 students and 250 teachers took part in the function that marked the culmination of the schooling of the current batch of Class XII. There was a mixed feeling of joy and sorrow riding high as the students fondly recollected the cherished moments of their glori- ous school days at MES. The recount of their educational experience reached its pinnacle when they acknowledged their token of love and gratitude to the school for its pivotal role, in extending support and guidance in the process of their attainment of holistic develop- ment. Student representatives Sparsh Garg, Leah Johnson and Alan Samuel highlighted the valuable contributions of their alma mater and the lasting im- and exercise utmost respect to elders nities and thus prepares you for the completed their Class XII at the school pact its teachers left in them. and parents”, exhorted K Abdul Karim, next phase of life with the guidance were honoured with mementoes. The “As you are going to face the re- President MES Governing Board and and blessings of parents, teachers, and major student officials, prefects, club alities of the world from now on, be Chief Guest of the day. well wishers”, said A P Khaleel, Director secretaries and CCF (Campus Care dignified in your action, adorn noble “The school equips you to confront Academic, MES Governing Board. Force) members were given away cer- qualities of trustworthiness and piety the world of challenges and opportu- Some 552 students who have tificates. Open House at PEC proves a big success akistan Education Centre The core objective the event was (PEC) organised an “Open to attract prospective students and House” at the school under their parents not only to familiarise Pthe theme “Raise the bar Be- with the current facilities available yond the Classroom”. People from all to the students but also to open the the segments of the society attended. channel of communication between It was an informal occasion designed school staff and them. to allow people to obtain first-hand It was good a juncture for the information about the institution at guests to enter the school with a vi- their convenience. sion to receive information from var- The event also provided the visit- ious desks set up for their conven- ing parents to know where their child ience. The resource desks mainly in- is spending the best years of his/ her cluded: Boys Wing, Girls Wing, Junior life, to meet the management, faculty Wing and KG Wing, ETL (Education, and students, to observe classes and Technology & Laboratory), FBA (Fed- also to have a close look the educa- eral Board Affairs) & Science Labora- tional facilities being provided. tories. TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2016 | 05 COMMUNITY QMSS celebrates National Sport Day ONV Kurup mourned dvocate C K Menon, OICC Global President and a prominent Doha- Abased businessman, has mourned the death of renowned Malayalam poet, lyricist and educationist ONV Kurup, who passed away in Kerala on Sunday. “Having met O N V Kurup just a few weeks ago for Ustad Ghulam Ali’s con- cert at Thiruvananthapuram, the legen- dary poet’s demise has come as a shock for me,” said Menon. O N V Kurup was Malayalam’s most celebrated contemporary poet and Jnan- pith-winner. O N V, as he was popularly known, was part of the progressive movement in Kerala and penned some of the most re- membered poems and film lyrics. He was honoured with the Padma Sri in 1998 and with the Padma Vibhushan in 2011. He was awarded the Jnanpith in 2007. “On this solemn occasion, I recall my many meetings with O N V who was al- so a relative of my wife. Our organisa- tion Thrishur Jillla Sauhrida Vedi (TJSV) had the honour of bestowing him with its award. “I share the grief with the bereaved Qatar Mahe Souhrida Sangamam (QMSS), a socio-cultural organisation affiliated to the Indian Cultural Centre under family. The poems and songs penned by the aegis of Indian embassy, celebrated Qatar National Sport Day at Aspire Park. Separate sporting events were O N V will be with us forever, perpetu- held for ladies, gents and children, including kabadi, kambavali, running race, football match etc. Forum President ating his memory for the future genera- Manmmadhan Mambally inaugurated the event and Ulhas Kayakandy, Sports Secretary, proposed a vote of thanks. tions.” Menon added. SLMQ holds contests for children Sri Lankan Majlis Qatar (SLMQ) conducted Independence Day competitions for Sri Lankan children in Qatar to mark the 68th Independence Day of Sri Lanka on Friday from 1pm to 5pm at the Sri Lankan embassy premises. Competitions included public speaking, essay writing, drawing and colouring. For the first time, the Creative Work category was introduced and held in three age categories: sub-junior, junior, intermediate and seniors. The public speaking competition was adjudged by senior Toastmasters from Doha Toast Masters Club, while art and drawing specialists from Sri Lankan School judged drawing and colouring competitions.