Ajman: Gulf Medical University (GMU) opened its innovation and research centre — the Thumbay Institute of Precision Medicine and Translational Research (TIPM & TR) — in Ajman on Monday.
The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman. Thumbay Moideen, founder and president of the Board of Governors of GMU and Professor Hossan Hamddy, chancellor of the university, were also present.
The new research centre will lead a new dimension in medical research by introducing precision medicine. Two other institutes are in advancing phase of development — The Thumbay Institute of Population Health and The Thumbay Institute of Health care Workforce Development and Leadership.
GMU has invested over Dh20 million in the innovation centre.
The institute will focus on two main research domains — diabetes and cancer.
The researchers at the institute will work on tailoring the treatment protocol for each patient according to their genetic footprint, lifestyle and environment. The researchers will also look at new diagnostic investigations for the early detection of cancer and response to different modalities of treatment.
The institute will serve as a hub for researchers, faculty, clinicians and students interested in medical research and become an incubator for innovation start-up companies, and launch innovative products and services. The institute also aims to spur medical innovation and offer a platform for health care researchers, biomedical innovators and medical scientists in the region and foster collaborations and partnerships with international institutions like Wisconsin Medical University USA, Gustave Roussy from Paris, leading universities from Bahrain, Switzerland and Italy, research labs, pharma companies and the health care industry.
Professor Hamdy said: “We would like to initiate international collaboration by bringing together leaders in science and the entire scientific community including the academia and industry to foster creativity and enhance innovation in a rapidly changing world. Centres of Excellence will form an important part of the university’s strategic and thematic planning, to significantly raise its profile and reflect it’s considered long-term priorities.”
He added that the institute would have state-of-the-art research laboratories with new technology in genetics, next generation sequencing (NGS), 3D tissue printing, bio innovation incubator, health robotics and artificial intelligence innovation, stem cell research and bioavailability and bioequivalence studies among other innovative cutting edge diagnostics.
Professor Hamdy added: “We wish to create opportunities for graduate students and other young researchers to connect with other international institutions and support them in their careers. We welcome collaboration, input, participation and engagement.”
