Thanks to its long-standing collaboration with and the unyielding financial support of the Emanuele Cancer Research Foundation, the University of Malta’s Centre for Molecular Medicine & Biobanking has had new, state-of-the-art equipment installed at its premises on Msida campus.
This equipment housed at the Biomedical Building has, since 2018, been used by University researchers in their cancer research work. Prof. Richard Muscat, the Director of the CMMB, has disclosed that work on aspects and the identification of chest cancer, intestinal cancer, lung cancer and brain cancer in adults and children is being conducted.
The equipment includes no less than 149 items, such as a DNA Next Generation sequencer, a micro-volume cell separator, a refrigerated Centrifuge, a fluorescence cell counter, and several computer units.
At the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding that took place on Monday 13 September at the offices of ECRF situated in Floriana, the two entities re-endorsed their commitment to the advancement of medical and scientific research. 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 more funds in the near future.
Prof. Alfred J. Vella, University Rector, said that whilst this is the fourth consecutive time that the University is proudly collaborating with the ECRF, it certainly won’t be the last. “Our research standards are high, and our colleagues share this belief with us to the extent that they are entrusting us with innovative equipment to enhance cancer research in Malta. We look forward to continuing to yield excellent performance and results.”
University Rector, Alfred, J Vella expresses that he is grateful for the support received by the ECRF in order to keep escalating Malta’s research profile and for investing not just in the research itself but in the outstanding talent that the University is proud to be a home of.
Her Excellency, Mary Louise Coleiro Preca, who chairs the ECRF, said that “The ECRF will continue to support UM, it is a pleasure to be part of this fruitful collaboration which will facilitate cancer research with the availability of innovative resources. The ECRF is not only investing in research grants but mostly in the equipment to be utilised by students and researchers at UM, we look forward to further improving the research development in the best way we can.”
By signing this MoU, the University and ECRF will in fact endeavour to share the Intellectual Property rights of any results of this research.