Source : WAM
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has announced the launch of the Abu Dhabi University Cancer Research Institute (ADU-CRI), a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advancing translational cancer research and personalised cancer care in the UAE.
This initiative underscores ADU’s alignment with the UAE’s 2031 Vision and reflects the university’s broader mission to drive innovation in science, healthcare, and education, while tackling the region’s most urgent cancer challenges.
The official inauguration ceremony, held at ADU’s Innovation Centre, was attended by Dr. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Daheri, Chairman of ADU’s Board of Directors, along with senior leadership, deans, department heads, and key stakeholders from the healthcare and research sectors.
Through ADU-CRI, the university aims to establish itself as a globally recognised hub for cancer research and care. The institute seeks to foster collaboration among academia, government, clinical experts, and the private sector, advancing precision and personalised medicine to improve patient outcomes in line with national healthcare priorities.
Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, said, “The establishment of the Institute represents a defining moment in advancing the UAE’s leadership in translational and personalised cancer research and care. In promoting collaboration between clinical experts, biomedical researchers, and industry stakeholders, this institute reflects our unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing challenges of cancer through innovation, education, and collaboration.
He added, “Furthermore, by empowering the next generation of scientists and innovators, the institute solidifies ADU’s role as an engine of progress for the UAE’s academic and national development goals. It is my hope that the institute will serve as a beacon of excellence, not only for the UAE but also on a global scale, driving breakthroughs that enhance human health and wellbeing.”
ADU-CRI is structured into five pioneering research divisions, each tackling critical challenges in cancer care: Genomics and Bioinformatics Research; Biomarker Research; Drug Discovery and Development; Biosensors and Bioengineering; and Public Health Research.
Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said, “The launch of ADU -CRI marks a significant outcome of the strategic collaboration between the Emirate’s academic and healthcare sectors, aimed at enhancing the health research landscape. This milestone reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for life sciences and innovation. The department remains committed to advancing research and innovation in the life sciences, with a particular focus on applied medical research in priority areas such as cancer and precision medicine.”
Equipped with advanced technologies including flow cytometry, Luminex, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), a sequencer, and specialised tissue culture labs, ADU-CRI is well-positioned to conduct both preclinical and clinical studies addressing cancer priority areas identified by UAE healthcare regulators.
The institute’s bioengineering lab enhances its capabilities in biosensor development, computational analysis, and next-generation research.
ADU-CRI has also formed strategic collaborations with key institutions, including the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Burjeel Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre, National Reference Laboratory, and Mediclinic.
Through these partnerships, several key projects are underway, including a clinical study supported by the DoH and Ma’an the Healthcare Research and Innovation Fund to improve breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, conducted in collaboration with Burjeel Medical City, as well as innovative research using biobanked samples with M42.
