Suha Alsubaihi
The Director of the Cell Therapy Center (CTC) at the University of Jordan (UJ), Prof. Abdalla Awidi Abbadi, discussed today with a delegation from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Medical University of Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) prospects for research and academic collaboration in the fields of cell therapy and postgraduate studies. The meeting was attended by his deputy, Dr. Hanan Jaafar, along with several researchers and specialists from the Center.
The delegation comprised the Director of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Prof. Stephen Atkin, accompanied by the Head of Biomolecular Sciences, Prof. Alexandra Butler, and the Manager of the Stem Cell Unit, Dr. Manjula Nandakumar.
During the meeting, Abbadi presented an overview of the establishment of the Center and its pioneering role as a national and regional hub in cell therapy and tissue engineering, highlighting ongoing efforts to localise advanced technologies, support researchers and postgraduate students, and the Center’s achievements in patents and scientific publications.
In turn, Jaafar reviewed the applied dimension of the ongoing research, outlining the methodology used to transfer scientific outputs from the laboratory to clinical application, as well as the protocols followed in preparing and processing cells according to the highest international quality standards.
The delegation toured the Center’s facilities, including the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) unit, research laboratories, and quality control labs, such as molecular biology units and flow cytometry laboratories. They also received a briefing on key research projects and therapeutic services, including tissue engineering studies and stem cell applications in the treatment of autoimmune and intractable diseases.
The delegation commended the Center’s advanced level of facilities and expertise, affirming their interest in strengthening cooperation and conducting joint research that serves the medical sectors in both countries.