About us
Cell Biology Unit (CBU) is an academic unit of research, teaching and social interaction of Functional Sciences Department at School of Medicine, Mayor de San Andres University (UMSA, Spanish acronym).
The activities of this Bolivian academic institution are supported by different international institutions.
Background
Cell Biology Unit was created in 1999 under an interinstitutional agreement among the School of Medicine–UMSA (Bolivia), the University of Milano Biccoca (Italy) and the Paolo Belli Association for the fight against leukemia (Italy).
Regarding the scientific area, this Unit focuses on the study of high altitude pathological erythrocytosis, epidemiology of leukemias in Bolivia, and cell therapy. Within the teaching area, it supports in biochemistry and molecular biology education at undergraduate, as well as, the training programs in oncohematology at postgraduate. Additionally, it develops social interaction activities through a program called Leukemia Diagnostic Service for Bolivia, aside from education and awareness projects for cancer prevention through the program ‘UMSA against cancer’ (LUCC, for its acronym in Spanish).
Later, it was endorsed as a national reference center by the School of Medicine Faculty Council with Resolution HCF 689/2018 and, subsequently, by the UMSA University Council with Resolution HCU 078/2020.
Mission
To develop research projects in cellular and molecular biology regarding hematological diseases of regional importance, and human talent training programs in cancer, together with social interaction projects for cancer prevention, all of this with qualified human resources, standard technology and international cooperation.
Vision
Being an institution of national reference, certified and accredited for research, education and social interaction activities.
General Objective
To develop research, human talent training and social interaction programs, focused on defining actions concerning therapeutic strategies and public health policies for hematological and oncological diseases.
Specific Objectives
- To conduct projects in translational research in hematology/oncohematology.
- To drive training programs for medical students and professionals in cellular and molecular biology.
- To promote social interaction activities for cancer education and prevention.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
ITALY EMBASSY
Francesco Tafuri
Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo
Project: Leukemia Diagnosis in Bolivia
MILANO UNIVERSITY, ITALY
Professor Alessandro Rambaldi
Director, Hematology Ospedale Giovanni XXIII
Project: Leukemia Diagnosis in Bolivia
UTAH UNIVERSITY, EE.UU.
Professor Josef Prchal
Director, Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies
Project: High Altitude Pathological Erythrocytosis
ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, EE.UU.
Professor Damiano Rondelli
Director, UIC Global Blood & Marrow Transplant
Project: Global BMT Training Program / Global BMT Training Program in Bolivia
ASSOCIAZIONE PAOLO BELLI ONLUS, ITALY
Silvano Manzoni
President, Associazione Paolo Belli (En español debe estar como Responsable)
Project: Leukemia Diagnosis in Bolivia