- Abu Dhabi University launches the Cancer Research Institute (ADU-CRI) to advance personalised cancer care and translational research in the UAE.
- ADU-CRI features five pioneering research divisions, state-of-the-art labs, and collaborations with top hospitals and research centres.
- The institute supports UAE’s We the UAE 2031 vision, promoting innovation, education, and global leadership in cancer research.
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has unveiled the Abu Dhabi University Cancer Research Institute (ADU-CRI), a cutting-edge facility dedicated to advancing translational cancer research and personalised cancer care in the UAE. The launch reinforces ADU’s commitment to the We the UAE 2031 vision and underscores its broader mission to drive innovation in science, healthcare, and education while addressing some of the nation’s most pressing cancer challenges.
The inauguration, held at ADU’s Innovation Center, was attended by Dr Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Daheri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi University, alongside representatives from the Department of Health- Abu Dhabi, ADU’s senior leadership, deans, department chairs, and key stakeholders from the healthcare and research sectors. The event marked a significant step toward positioning ADU as a globally recognised hub for cancer research and care, with a focus on translating scientific discoveries into tangible patient benefits.
Prof Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, said, “The establishment of the Abu Dhabi University Cancer Research Institute represents a defining moment in advancing the UAE’s leadership in translational and personalised cancer research and care. By 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. 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”.
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ADU-CRI is structured around five pioneering research divisions addressing critical areas of cancer care, including Genomics and Bioinformatics, Biomarker Research, Drug Discovery and Development, Biosensors and Bioengineering, and Public Health Research. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies such as flow cytometry, Luminex, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), sequencers, and specialised tissue culture labs, the institute is prepared to conduct both preclinical and clinical studies aligned with UAE healthcare priorities.
Dr Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, said, “The launch of the Abu Dhabi University Cancer Research Institute 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”.
ADU-CRI has already established collaborations with leading organisations, including Burjeel Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, National Reference Laboratory, and Mediclinic. Its current projects include a clinical study on breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in partnership with Burjeel Medical City, research on biomarkers for triple negative breast cancer, studies on liquid biopsies for lung cancer detection, and preclinical work on the role of APOBEC3 in breast cancer metastasis. These initiatives are designed to integrate clinical and biomedical expertise, foster innovation in personalised medicine, and shape healthcare policies for high-impact translational research in the UAE.
