Research Publications & Projects
DDI’s research is focused on Kuwait’s needs in the context of diabetes and aligned to improve the health outcomes for the Kuwaiti population through translational research. DDI applies an integrative research approach that brings together different disciplines that can decipher the complex events of the development of diabetes.
These projects have translational and clinical components to drive bench to bedside and bedside to community-based research flow to ultimately improve health and community outcomes. In 2023, the department was established to focus on developing novel effective therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of T2DM in Kuwaiti individuals.
Key Terms
Original research is defined as papers where all or some of the actual research was done within DDI and paid by DDI, at least in part. This includes data sharing and contribution.
The impact factor (IF) or journal impact factor (JIF) of an academic journal is a scientometric index that reflects the yearly average number of citations that recent articles published in a given journal received.
DDI’s Research Output
2023 DDI Publications
20
Reviews, editorials, etc.
30
Collaborative publications
55
Original research publications
105
Total number of publications
Publication History
94
Total number of publications for 2020
102
Total number of publications for 2021
93
Total number of publications for 2022
105
Total number of publications for 2023
Publications
The total number of DDI publications for 2023 was 105, a 36% increase from 77 in 2019.
Per the recommendations of the International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB), DDI researchers have focused on producing more original research-based publications with 55 in 2023. Overall, 52% of DDI’s 2023 total publication output was original research. Additionally, DDI published 30 collaborative (other) and 20 reviews, editorials, etc.
An overview of the publication outputs is provided in the subsequent figures/graphs.
Proposals
All research proposals follow a standardized International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB & Board) approved project governance process. In line with the approved research strategy, DDI proposals are continuously focused to support the attainment of DDI’s Mission and Vision. Additionally, per the ISAB recommendations to maintain a focused approach in research, DDI had a total of 18 new submitted proposals in 2023 excluding the strategy proposals, and 6 project extension requests.
Projects
There was a total of 63 projects in 2023 (45 ongoing & 18 new) and 3 completed and 14 closed. Project approvals follow a standardized process for approval, as outlined in the previous section, with all new projects aligned and directly contributing to the approved DDI Strategic Plan, i.e., DDI Initiatives 1-3 and the Research Strategic Directions.
*All figures valid as end December 2023
Research Participation
DDI collected 2,013 samples from research participants via the special services facility.
Patient participation and engagement in research continued by enrolling a total of 1,864 patients in 2023 (compared to 1,439 in 2021 and 1,422 in 2022). Consequently, in 2023, DDI managed to engage 42% of patients to participate in Research.
National Dasman Diabetes Biobank
The National Dasman Diabetes Biobank is the first and only Biobank (biosample repository) in Kuwait. The National Dasman Diabetes Biobank (NDDB) offers DDI and collaborators repository services to conduct short and long-term research projects related to diabetes and its complications. The NDDB’s wide range of services include sample processing and fractionation, storage, testing and nucleic acid isolation, among others. The NDDB is a member of the European, Middle Eastern and African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking. It is a Biosafety Level 2 laboratory which specializes in the processing of blood and other body fluids, tissue samples (for histology and immunohistochemistry purposes) and cell culture. The NDDB facilities include secure sample storage rooms with −80°C freezers and liquid nitrogen tanks. Cumulatively, NDDB houses over 45,026 research participants’ samples and tracks more than 419,252 biological specimens for freezer inventory using a sample management system.
Patents
The Patent & Research Translation Office (PORT) supports the development and protects the rights of DDI’s research to transfer to industry, organize multinational collaborative relationships to conduct research while developing technologies of local, regional, and global value.
As of 2023, 1 patent was approved and has been granted to DDI and 3 patents are still ongoing.
| Patent Overall Status | Total |
|---|---|
| Previous Granted Patents 2020-2023 | 5 |
| Ongoing Patents | 3 |
| Total End 2023 | 8 |
Details of Approved Patents at the United States Patent and Trademark Office:
| Docket No. | Year Granted | Title of Invention(s) | Inventors | Co-Inventor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33024.00 | 2020 | Method for preventing progression to metabolic syndrome | Prof. Fahd Al Mulla | Raseeba Nizam, Dr. Ashref Madhoun |
| 33024.01 | 2020 | Use of MicroRNA-103 as Inhibitor for dyslipidemia by repressing ANGPTL8 gene (2020) | Dr. Mohamed Abufarha | Dr. Jehad Abubaker Prof. Fahd Al Mulla Preethi Cherian Irina Alkhairi |
| 33024.02 | 2021 | Use of MicroRNA-181d as Inhibitor for dyslipidemia by repressing ANGPTL3 gene (2021) | Dr. Jehad Abubaker | Dr. Mohamed Abufarha, Prof. Fahd Al Mulla Irina Alkhairi Preethi Cherian |
| 33024.10 | 2021 | Targeting Signaling Crosstalk Between IL-6 and TNF-α for Preventing MMP-9 Induced tumor growth (2021) | Dr. Rasheed Ahmad | Prof. Fahd Al Mulla |
| 33024.08 | 2023 | Method for Preventing Progression to Type II Diabetes | Dr. Amal Ahmed Ali Hasan | — |
