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the region's most pressing cancer challenges.

The official inauguration ceremony, held on 30 September 2025 at ADU’s Innovation Center, was attended by Dr. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Daheri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi University, along with ADU’s senior leadership, deans, and department chairs, as well as key stakeholders from the healthcare and research sectors, including representatives from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH). 

Through the establishment of ADU-CRI, ADU aims to position itself as a globally recognized hub for cancer research and care. The institute’s mission is to foster collaboration between academia, government, clinical experts, and the private sector, advancing precision and personalized medicine to improve patient outcomes in the UAE. This emphasizes the university’s commitment to translating scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for individuals and communities in alignment with national healthcare priorities.

Professor 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 personalized 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. 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 organized into five pioneering research divisions, each addressing critical cancer care challenges: Genomics and Bioinformatics Research; Biomarker Research; Drug Discovery and Development; Biosensors and Bioengineering; and Public Health Research.

Dr. Laila AbdelWareth, Chief Executive Officer Diagnostics, National Reference Laboratory, said: "The National Reference Laboratory’s collaboration with Abu Dhabi University has long fostered student education, mentorship, and impactful joint research. With the inauguration of the Cancer Research Institute, we are building on these successes to open new opportunities for innovation, grants, and publications. This partnership not only supports the UAE’s national cancer research priorities but also strengthens our collective capacity to advance world-class science and empower the next generation of researchers to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our community.”

Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including flow cytometry, Luminex, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), a sequencer, and specialized tissue culture labs, the institute is uniquely positioned to conduct both preclinical and clinical studies addressing cancer priority areas identified by UAE healthcare regulators. The bioengineering lab further strengthens ADU-CRI’s capacity for biosensor development, computational analysis, and next-generation research.

ADU-CRI is committed to fostering strategic partnerships that propel the UAE’s leadership in cancer research and care. The institute has established collaborations with key organizations, including DoH, Burjeel Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, National Reference Laboratory and Mediclinic. As a result of these collaborations, some key projects are in progress, including a DoH-supported clinical study on breast cancer conducted in partnership with Burjeel Medical City, and groundbreaking research using biobanked samples with M42.

The institute is also actively engaged in several pioneering research projects, such as a clinical study on the identification of biomarkers in triple negative breast cancer patients, research on liquid biopsies for lung cancer detection, and a preclinical study on the role of APOBEC3 expression in breast cancer metastasis. These projects are designed to drive the development of novel themes in personalized cancer medicine, unite clinical and biomedical expertise, and influence policy formulation to deliver high-impact translational research in the UAE.

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