Two of the 10 research teams who had applied for cancer research funds by the Emanuele Cancer Research Foundation have been collectively awarded around €1.2 million to be able to carry out their respective research.
This was announced during a press conference addressed by President Emeritus and Chairperson of the National Cancer Foundation, Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, who commended the work of the growing network of researchers who are putting Malta on the map when it comes to advancements in tackling the disease.
A call for proposals was issued in November 2019 for research projects supporting University of Malta academics in their research into the causes, mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer.
Led by Dr David Saliba and Prof. Godfrey Grech respectively, the two chosen research teams will further investigate the mapping of the immune landscape to treat pituitary neuroendocrine tumours, and to classify colorectal cancer patients into groups of clinical relevance.
This funding is the first of two allocation of funds and part of a €2.5 million boost for cancer research over a period of five years. The Foundation, together with the University of Malta and the Fondazione Terzo Pilastro-Internazionale, will be issuing a fresh call for applications for cancer research grants to allocate the rest.
University of Malta Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, who was present at the Presentation of Results, said this fund drew a considerable number of applications, and hopes this initiative is emulated in other areas.
In the past few years, a few million euros have also been invested in state-of-the-art equipment by the Foundation, and this is housed at the University of Malta.