Research students in Al Ain will now have access to groundbreaking technologies aimed at curing diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, thanks to the opening of the UAE University (UAEU) Stem Cell Research Centre. This facility, the first of its kind in the UAE, is designed to advance regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies, offering state-of-the-art tools to expedite important research in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Rami Beiram, associate provost for Research at UAEU, emphasized the importance of the centre in enabling ‘significant breakthroughs in stem cell therapy and its clinical applications’. The new facility is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the country’s future healthcare industry, particularly in the field of regenerative medicine.
The centre is equipped with advanced technology, such as a cryogenic freezer, 3D bioprinter, and automated cell culture platforms, which help streamline the research process and reduce the time required to achieve results. This access to cutting-edge tools allows students to focus more on innovation and less on manual work. "Previously, we had to do everything manually, which could take days or even weeks. Now, the new automated machines save us time and reduce manual work, allowing us to concentrate on our research", says Shamsa Fadel Almansouri, a student working on a kidney model project.
One of the most innovative technologies at the centre is the 3D bioprinter, which is used to ‘print’ organs. The process involves using bioink made from polymers, living cells, and growth factors. Students like Shamsa Almansouri and Fatema Khamis AlDhaheri are actively working on printing models of organs such as kidneys and heart patches. These printed organs can be used for disease modelling, drug testing, and tissue engineering. According to Fatema, 3D printed structures offer 100% accuracy in predicting how an organ will respond to diseases or new drugs.
The research centre is also focused on regenerative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. One ongoing project explores gastric stem cell biology, specifically looking at how stem cells contribute to tissue regeneration, carcinogenesis, and stomach diseases. Another project investigates the molecular mechanisms that regulate stem cell fate determination in specific diseases, which could have far-reaching implications for personalized medicine.
Dr. Beiram also highlighted the centre’s efforts to establish a national stem cell bank, where stem cells from umbilical cord blood will be collected, processed, and stored. This initiative will create a valuable resource for future therapeutic use, and provide support for clinical trials of stem cell therapies.
The UAEU Stem Cell Research Centre not only equips students with the latest technology but also nurtures them as future leaders in the rapidly evolving field of regenerative medicine. With promising projects underway and the support of advanced technologies, the centre is positioned to make significant contributions to the healthcare industry, both locally and globally.
