UAE: New stem cells research centre launched to boost market growth to Dh4.7 billion by 2030
The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has officially launched a pioneering Stem Cells Research Centre, marking a first in the country's academic landscape.
The centre is aims to enhance local manufacturing capabilities and establish international partnerships to boost the stem cell market in the Middle East. The market is projected to grow from $711.8 million (Dh2.6 billion) in 2024 to $1.3 billion (Dh4.7 billion) by 2030. This growth is expected to be fueled by increased government investments and rising demand for innovative medical treatments.
The lab aims to drive innovative stem cell research and therapies, marking a key milestone in the UAE's efforts to advance healthcare and establish itself as a global leader in regenerative medicine. It also aligns with the nation's broader ambitions to establish itself as a global leader in advanced medical sciences.
The research facility is also fostering collaborations with key local and international partners, most notably the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre, which has been working with UAEU since 2019. This partnership has helped fund innovative research projects, organise clinical trials, and facilitate knowledge exchange between researchers and experts.
In her remarks during the inauguration, Prof Fatma Al Jasmi, acting dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at UAEU, highlighted the importance of the new centre, saying, "The opening of the Stem Cell Research Centre is a significant achievement that reflects the university's vision to promote research innovation and build national capacities in medical sciences.
"Through this centre, we aim to prepare a new generation of Emirati scientists capable of offering advanced medical solutions and solidifying the UAE's position as a global leader in regenerative medicine."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
7 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
UAEU team to represent UAE in Asian Try Zero-G 2025 competition
The competition offers university students from across the Asia-Pacific region to propose physics experiments to be conducted aboard the International Space Station. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced that a student team from the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) will represent the UAE in the final phase of the Asian Try Zero-G 2025 competition. Organised in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and other regional partners, the competition invites university students from across the Asia-Pacific to design physics experiments to be conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS), according to a report by WAM. This years edition saw participation from 74 students across eight UAE universities, who submitted a total of 17 experiment proposals to MBRSC. After a rigorous internal selection process, three teams were nominated to move forward, with UAEUs submission advancing to the international finals. Their experiment, created by a group of six students, explores harmonic motion and damping effects in microgravityan area of study that could yield new insights into the behaviour of physical systems in the absence of Earth's gravitational pull. Out of numerous entries from the region, only 11 teams from nine countries have qualified for the final round of the competition. The chosen experiments will be carried out inside the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo on the ISS by a Japanese astronaut, with execution scheduled between late 2025 and early 2026. MBRSCs involvement in the Asian Try Zero-G initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to fostering scientific curiosity, promoting STEM education, and encouraging collaboration with academic institutions throughout the UAE. By supporting student engagement in real-world space research, the Centre aims to nurture the next generation of scientists and innovators poised to shape the future of space exploration.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
From breeding to cloning: UAE centres on a mission to preserve elite camels and safeguard cultural heritage
22 June 2025 22:12 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)With camels regarded as a key part of the UAE's cultural and natural heritage, specialised centres and organisations have made concerted efforts to conserve these 'ships of the desert' and ensure they continue to shine — from racing to serving communities — for future generations. On World Camel Day, marked annually on June 22, Aletihad looked into remarkable initiatives dedicated to this well-loved desert animal. Advanced Scientific Group (ASG), one of the oldest institutions specialising in camel research, has been making an impact worldwide since 1989."The group is considered the primary centre and global reference for everything related to infertility, reproduction, cloning, genetic analysis, and genomics in camels,' Khalifa Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Advanced Scientific Group, told work has been a trusted source of information when it comes to camel diseases, infertility treatment, and reproduction. Years of research has yielded crucial innovation, with many of these technologies now used in preserving distinctive camel breeds. Genetic testing has enhanced breeding programmes, Al Nuami said. "Genetic analysis creates a roadmap for production, as we match and combine the best breeds available in the Gulf region, helping us achieve our goal in the shortest possible time, especially in camel racing or milk production. However, our primary focus is currently on camel racing,' he told Aletihad. A purebred camel mother can also be spared the risks of childbirth through embryo transfer, with incubators then taking over delivery and rearing—thereby helping to preserve specific breeds, he camels from rare and valuable lineages can be cloned, too, to ensure their survival, Al Nuami said. 'Some stallions have been cloned despite having died more than 20 years ago,' he said. "Cloning has played a major role in preserving extinct breeds. Cells can also be preserved and cloned when needed, and even multiplied if they possess distinct traits."For camel owners, cloning comes with sentimental value. "Owners often have a strong emotional bond with their camels, and cloning strengthens these bonds by keeping their beloved mounts close at hand,' Al Nuami Smart Camel Center (ESCC), based in Umm Al Quwain, is also committed to advancing camel racing and protecting purebred camels through modern techniques and advanced veterinary care.'The centre integrates rich Emirati heritage with modern technologies and methodologies,' said Dr. Mahmoud Moussa, Head of the Veterinary Department at the ESCC, in an interview with Aletihad. 'We preserve the cultural value of camels while improving performance through scientific studies, biotechnology, and eco-friendly operations powered by solar energy—all in line with the UAE's Green Vision.' Supporting Camel Owners The centre houses top camel breeds, famed for their racetrack strength and stamina.'Through embryo transfer, we can produce up to 10 offspring from a single camel in one season — each with a different father. This enhances genetic traits while preventing inbreeding, which could compromise the health of future generations,' he said. The hub provides all necessary medical services to camel owners using state-of-the-art medical equipment and highly qualified staff. Health advice, care tips, and advanced breeding support are also offered. 'We help owners choose the best males and females from rare breeds to ensure strong future generations. We also maintain some of the top male camels with purebred, high-genetic value to preserve biodiversity and breed integrity,' Dr. Moussa said. Beyond caring for camels, both ASG and ESCC have made it their mission to engage younger generations and keep the interest in these iconic animals alive. '(The ESCC) works annually with UAE University and the Higher Colleges of Technology in Sharjah to train undergraduate students, giving them hands-on experience and knowledge of the latest biotechnologies to improve breeding and maintain breed purity,' Dr. Moussa also collaborates with universities, whether in the fields of reproduction, diseases, or even new medicines and vaccinations. 'We have a training partnership with the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain, where our students receive ongoing training, in addition to our cooperation with hospitals and relevant official authorities in the country,' Al Nuaimi said.
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Al Etihad
From lab to market: ATRC entities turn breakthrough research into real-world technologies
20 June 2025 02:27 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Fuelling the UAE's push for innovation and a knowledge-based future are local labs and institutions that transform cutting-edge research into homegrown Advanced Technology Research Council's (ATRC) key entities - TII, ASPIRE, and SteerAI - are translating advanced science into real-world solutions that serve communities and national priorities, from AI to robotics and automation. "We are helping the UAE shift from adopting technologies to building them - delivering real economic and strategic value," said Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, in an interview with Aletihad . "Whether it is AI, quantum, robotics, or advanced materials, we are working on scalable, secure systems that support industrial resilience and self-reliance."Radar systems, edge AI tools, and impact-responsive body armour are some of the technologies that are moving "steadily from lab to market", supported by TII's commercialisation partner VentureOne, Dr. Aaraj ProjectsTII has been working with major government entities to advance next-generation technologies across sectors, from aerial systems and quantum-secure space communications to AI-enabled healthcare."Our robotics centre worked with the GCAA on autonomous aerial corridors. In quantum, we are partnering with the UAE Space Agency on secure communications for space infrastructure," Dr. Aaraj said."In AI, we enable edge-based models for healthcare and government, while in autonomous robotics, we are advancing GPS-free navigation for logistics and inspections."TII also invests in local talent. "Programmes like NexTech embed top Emirati STEM students in international universities and bring them back to our research centres to build the next generation of UAE scientists," she with Real-World ImpactATRC's ASPIRE also seeks to "bridge the gap between breakthrough research and tangible, real-world impact", turning lab ideas into deployable tech across key sectors. Speaking to Aletihad , Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE and A2RL, said: "From tackling carbon storage monitoring to shaping air corridors for autonomous mobility, our work ensures that emerging technologies meet real industrial and societal needs." ASPIRE focuses on "dual-use, high-impact technologies", including AI, robotics, and advanced materials."We are proving high-performance systems can be designed and built in the UAE," Timpano said, highlighting projects like A2RL's EAV-24 autonomous lab-to-market process starts by identifying real-world challenges in priority sectors, he said."Then, we invite global and local innovators to solve (these challenges) through competitive, milestone-driven programmes. Once a solution proves viable, we help de-risk and scale it."The goal, Timpano added, is to "forge new collaborations and show how the UAE is not just buying innovation but building it"."Everything we do is designed to grow the UAE's intellectual capital," he SolutionsSteerAI, on the other hand, seeks to drive the UAE's shift from tech importer to innovator through sovereign autonomous mobility Michael Sonderby, Acting CEO of SteerAI, told Aletihad that the company is helping drive the UAE's shift from tech importer to innovator through sovereign autonomous mobility solutions."SteerAI is a direct product of the UAE's ambition to become a global leader in advanced manufacturing and AI innovation," said Michael Sonderby, Acting CEO of an instance, its autonomous GPS-free system, CoreX, was developed at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and is now being deployed with partners like A2RL and Milrem Robotics."CoreX allows our vehicles to navigate unmapped terrain in real time without relying on GPS or maps," Sonderby said. "It has huge implications for defence, ISR, search and rescue, and more." SteerAI's CoreX system is designed to keep humans out of danger zones, he said. "It does not tire, get distracted, or miss signals. We detect and avoid obstacles faster than human drivers." By supporting the country's autonomous tech ecosystem, SteerAI's "goal is to contribute to the UAE's vision of becoming a global tech hub", Sonderby said.
