For the first time in Armenia a biobank will be established in accordance with European standards.
It should be reminded that in 2020 YSMU won the European Union Horizon 2020 Twinning “Armenian Research Infrastructure on Cancer Research – ARICE” program. The program is dedicated to one of the most urgent health issues – cancer research. The duration of the program is 36 months.
Within the framework of the mentioned program, an online opening conference was officially held on February 12.
Welcoming the participants of the opening meeting, YSMU Rector Armen Muradyan noted, that it was a special honour for him to take part in the kick-off meeting of a new EU project at YSMU. “Professor Tamara Sargsyan has already carried out countless wonderful projects, also at YSMU. This has allowed us to continue the Armenian medical research tradition with the EU Twinning “ARICE” project, with the professional support of our team and partners.
Unfortunately, because of COVID-19 and the current war, we cannot welcome you to our beautiful homeland, but we know that this is only temporary. No doubt, you will still be able to enjoy Armenian hospitality during this project.
As you know, Armenians unfortunately suffer from cancer very often, which is also confirmed by statistics. We at Yerevan State Medical University have high hopes that this project will take away or at least reduce the presence of cancer in our lives. We hope that the ARICE project will be the first major infrastructure in a long-term research initiative to explore the ominous interaction between cancer and the environment, especially in Armenia. This is the aim of the European research project ARICE, launched today. We are pleased to be joined by renowned professional partners in this field of research, such as Charles University in the Czech Republic, the Medical University of Graz in Austria and the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Together we are strong, and we can achieve a lot”, Armen Muradyan emphasized.
YSMU, as a coordinator, will implement the program with the participation of the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization in partnership with the Medical University of Graz and Charles University, spreading its capabilities at institutional, national and regional levels.
At the meeting opening remarks were made by the representatives of the European Commission – Wilco Graafmans, PhD, Project Adviser, and Stefan Weiers, Head of Sector – Senior Expert.
Leading experts from partner universities, including Professor Karine Sargsyan, Director General of International Biobank and Education, Medical University University of Graz; Zisis Kozlakidis, Head of the Laboratory Service and Biobank Group of the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer; and Ass. Prof. RNDr. Judita Kinkorová, PhD, Head of International Studies. The latter are European experts in cancer research and will greatly contribute to the development of the field of cancer research in Armenia.
According to Tamara Sargsyan, Head of the Department of Medical Genetics, Director of the Center for Medical Genetics and Primary Health Care, the project aims to increase the capacity of research infrastructure in the field of cancer research in Armenia by promoting digital-molecular diagnosis, integration of personalized genomic medicine to clinique, creation of a modern biobank.
As a result of the project, YSMU will become a leader in the field of cancer genetic research in Armenia. The ARICE program has a high military significance and modernity. It is perspective for the university. An interdisciplinary international group on cancer research, biobank and biomarkers has already been set up in collaboration with European experts.
“The implementation of the program will have a very important scientific and practical significance. The program should explore a number of aspects of cancer: early diagnosis, accurate and individualized treatment. The ARICE program is very relevant for Armenia, as cancer in our country is mainly diagnosed late”, said Tamara Sargsyan, emphasizing that the primary goal of the program is to create a biobank in Armenia.
According to her, the Department of Medical Genetics is ready for such a project. “The huge positive experience with the representatives of the European Union has been taken into account as well,” the professor added.
The head of the Cancer Genetics Laboratory, Associate Professor David Babikyan, in his turn, stated that the YSMU Chamber of Medical Genetics is equipped with the most modern technologies for genomic research. “Genetic diagnosis-pharmacogenetics of cancer is performed here, that is, an individualized diagnosis is provided, individualized treatment is prescribed,” added Davit Babikyan.