Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has launched the Abu Dhabi University Cancer Research Institute (ADU-CRI), a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advancing translational cancer research and personalized cancer care in the UAE.
The inauguration of ADU-CRI took place at ADU’s Innovation Center, and was attended by Dr Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Daheri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi University, senior ADU leadership, and key healthcare and research stakeholders.
The launch reinforces ADU’s alignment with the We the UAE 2031 vision and its mission to drive innovation in science, healthcare, and education while tackling the region’s critical cancer challenges.
Through ADU-CRI, the university aims to become a globally recognized hub for cancer research, fostering collaboration between academia, government, clinical experts, and industry to advance precision and personalized medicine and improve patient outcomes in the UAE.
ADU-CRI is organized into five pioneering research divisions, each addressing critical cancer care challenges including Genomics and Bioinformatics Research, Biomarker Research, Drug Discovery and Development, Biosensors and Bioengineering, and Public Health Research.
Equipped with advanced technologies such as flow cytometry, Luminex, qPCR, a sequencer, and specialized tissue culture labs, ADU-CRI conducts preclinical and clinical cancer studies. Its bioengineering lab supports biosensor development, computational analysis, and next-generation research.
Professor Ghassan Aouad Chancellor – ADU
“The establishment of ADU-CRI 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. 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.”
Dr Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of Health Life Sciences Sector at Abu Dhabi DoH emphasized that, “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.”
Image credits: ADMO | Cropped by GBN
The institute fosters strategic partnerships with the DoH, Burjeel Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, National Reference Laboratory, and Mediclinic. Ongoing projects include a DoH-supported breast cancer study with Burjeel Medical City and innovative research using biobanked samples with M42.
The institute is leading pioneering research, including biomarker identification in triple-negative breast cancer, liquid biopsies for lung cancer, and APOBEC3’s role in breast cancer metastasis. These projects advance personalized cancer medicine, integrate clinical and biomedical expertise, and inform high-impact translational research and policy in the UAE.
