Abu Dhabi University establishes Advanced Cancer Research Institute to transform regional healthcare

UAE—Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has opened the Abu Dhabi University Cancer Research Institute (ADU-CRI), a cutting-edge facility designed to advance cancer research and personalized treatment in the UAE.

The institute supports the We the UAE 2031 Vision and demonstrates ADU’s commitment to driving innovation in science, healthcare, and education while tackling the region’s most urgent cancer challenges.

Dr. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Daheri, Chairman of ADU’s Board of Directors, joined senior university leaders, deans, department chairs, and healthcare sector representatives at the official inauguration ceremony held at ADU’s Innovation Center.

The new institute positions ADU as an emerging global hub for cancer research and care by fostering collaboration among academic institutions, government agencies, clinical experts, and private sector partners to advance precision medicine and improve patient outcomes across the UAE.

Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, described the institute’s launch as a defining moment for the UAE’s leadership in translational and personalized cancer research.

He emphasized that ADU-CRI brings together clinical experts, biomedical researchers, and industry stakeholders to address cancer challenges through innovation, education, and collaboration.

The institute will empower the next generation of scientists and innovators while serving as a beacon of excellence that drives breakthroughs in human health and wellbeing on both national and global scales.

ADU-CRI operates through five specialized research divisions that target critical aspects of cancer care: Genomics and Bioinformatics Research, Biomarker Research, Drug Discovery and Development, Biosensors and Bioengineering, and Public Health Research.

The institute houses advanced technologies including flow cytometry equipment, Luminex systems, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) machines, sequencers, and specialized tissue culture laboratories.

These resources enable researchers to conduct preclinical and clinical studies focused on cancer priority areas identified by UAE healthcare regulators.

The bioengineering lab further enhances the institute’s capabilities in biosensor development, computational analysis, and next-generation research.

Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH), noted that ADU-CRI represents a significant outcome of strategic collaboration between the emirate’s academic and healthcare sectors.

She emphasized that this milestone reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for life sciences and innovation while advancing applied medical research in priority areas such as cancer and precision medicine.

The institute has established partnerships with several leading organizations including the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Burjeel Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, National Reference Laboratory, and Mediclinic.

Current research initiatives include a clinical study supported by DoH and Ma’an the Healthcare Research and Innovation Fund to enhance breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in partnership with Burjeel Medical City.

Additional projects focus on identifying biomarkers in triple negative breast cancer patients, developing liquid biopsies for lung cancer detection, and examining APOBEC3 expression in breast cancer metastasis.