The UAE University (UAEU) in Al Ain has opened a stem cell research center that will allow students to test cutting-edge 3D bioprinting technologies and accelerate the search for new treatments for complex diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, Khaleej Times has reported. According to Dr. Rami Bayram, deputy vice-chancellor for research, the center’s goal is to “advance regenerative medicine and create significant breakthroughs in stem cell therapy.” He is confident that the university’s projects will make a significant contribution to the future of the UAE’s healthcare system and add new opportunities for the international scientific community.
Students Shams Fadel Almansouri and Fatema Khamis Al-Dhageri have already worked on 3D bioprinting technology to “print” organ models for studying and testing drugs. “The process involves mixing cells grown in culture with a bioink made of polymers and growth factors,” explains Shamsa. Fatema adds that such “printed organs” are key to studying complex diseases: they recreate realistic conditions in which drugs can be tested without risk to patients. Already printed heart “pads” have proven useful for understanding the impact of heart disease, and a kidney model has been used to test the effectiveness of various treatment protocols.
How 3D bioprinting works and why it is needed
The research center has installed modern equipment – from a cryogenic freezer for 47 thousand samples to robotic arms and a biosafety cabinet. Such high-tech solutions, according to teachers, reduce errors and speed up the pace of research. “Previously, manual manipulations took up to several weeks,” Shamsa notes. “Now, thanks to automated processes, we can concentrate on the essence of research, and not on routine.”
The principle of operation of a 3D bioprinter is that after modeling an organ on a tablet, a special bioink is applied layer by layer, creating a three-dimensional structure. This way, scientists can model kidney or heart diseases and check the organ’s response to a particular drug. Such technologies are especially relevant in the search for drugs against neurodegenerative diseases, where one error in the experiment can cost researchers months of lost work.
Treating Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
Among the areas that students are currently working on is the study of stem cells in the context of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and gastric disorders. Dr. Rami emphasizes that the results of this work can become the basis for creating advanced methods of regenerative therapy and open new doors for clinical applications. “Our goal is to study how stem cells can restore damaged tissues and what their role is in the processes of carcinogenesis,” he says.
In addition, the center is launching an initiative to collect umbilical cord blood to create a bank of high-quality stem cell samples. This will allow us to prepare for future clinical trials and create a national reserve for the treatment of serious diseases. “In this way, we are not only focusing on current programs, but we are building a foundation that will serve future generations of scientists and doctors,” concludes Dr. Rami.