UT's new project will help diagnose cancer sooner in the future
The second large European Commission grant secured by the University of Tartu will help recruit top researchers to advance research in translational genomics, so that in the future, doctors would be able to diagnose different diseases as early as possible, thus improving opportunities for treatment.
The project manager, Tartu professor of pathophysiology Sulev Kõks said that their objective is to bring a highly qualified team to the new chair that would engage in cutting-edge translational genomic research.
“As Europe’s population is ageing and people must live with chronic diseases for longer, efficient treatment opportunities become more important. Thanks to advances in translational genomics research, diseases can be diagnosed earlier in the future and in the most ideal scenarios, doctors can treat patients before the onset of disease,” said Kõks. He added that the supported project will increase research excellence in Estonia and helps the UT to become a world leader in these efforts.
The new chair is expected to forge partnerships with leading institutions to attract top students and researchers from around the world. It is also hoped to popularize genomics and invite young people to study STEM sciences, which are the basis of innovation.
According to Kõks, one means of attracting potential students and young researchers to Estonia is the translational genomics specialization to be created in doctoral studies – the first one of its kind in the entire Eastern Europe.
Tartu also received another ERA Chair grant from the European Commission to establish a center for developing designer cells.
Editor: M. Oll