QF’s EVMC Launches Inara - Qatar’s First Equine Biobank

Qatar Foundation’s Equine Veterinary Medical Centre has announced the launch of its biobank, which will focus on the genetic preservation, long term storage, and retrieval of biological samples from horses.

Named Inara, which means “enlighten” in Arabic, Equine Veterinary Medical Centre’s (EVMC) biobank represents a national repository for storing valuable biological specimens such as DNA, stem cells, and tissue samples. Inara will offer animal owners the ability to safeguard valuable genetic information and secure stem cells extracted at EVMC’s regenerative medicine laboratory.

An animal’s own stem cells can be used to help restore the function of their damaged tissues, such as tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. The success of this is highly dependent on how quickly after injury the treatment can be delivered, and thus having a readily available repository of stem cells samples ensures that horses can receive timely and precise care.

Inara is also a valuable resource for researchers, as EVMC allows research groups to conduct vital research using Inara’s stored samples and their associated data. This research is crucial in driving scientific breakthroughs, helping develop new drugs, genetic tests, treatments, and creating public health strategies that will benefit animals.