Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1186350
17 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 20 NOVEMBER 2019 A specific research in a particular kid- ney disorder has been boosted by a €25,000 donated presented by Nescafé 3in1 LifeCycle Challenge to University of Malta's Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT). The mon- ey is part of this year's title sponsorship from Nestlé's signature brand Nescafe 3in1 to LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation. LifeCycle Founder Alan Curry said: "Following talks with University of Malta and Mater Dei Hospital, Life- Cycle has been advised to support a research programme in polycystic kidney disease. Since 2014, LifeCycle has made this its mission to further support research programmes at the University of Malta. Thanks to Nescafé 3in1 brand, we are again able to assist in this much needed research." A team of researchers from the Uni- versity's Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology in collaboration with the Division of Nephrology of the Depart- ment of Medicine and Mater Dei Hos- pital, namely Prof Jean Calleja Agius, Prof Emanuel Farrugia, Dr Edith Said and Dr Graziella Zahra, will be investi- gating polycystic kidney disease (PKD). PKD is an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within the kidneys, causing the kid- neys to enlarge and lose function over time. The disorder may be present in childhood and adolescence if it is se- vere, or later on in life if symptoms are mild. The clinical presentation is very variable as well as the disease progres- sion. PKD can be inherited in a domi- nant (ADPKD) or a recessive (ARPDK) manner. "Patients with ADPKD in Malta have so far been diagnosed clinically and the genetic aetiology of this condition is as yet not fully defined. The research project will aim to determine the un- derlying genetic defect in patients with ADPKD in Malta and to offer proper genetic counselling to families with in- dividuals with ADPKD," said lead re- searcher Prof Jean Calleja Agius. "The full study is expected to be spread over three years and will result in the analysis of most families with ADPKD in Malta," added Prof Calleja Agius. Nestlé Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager Alfred J. Borg said: "As part of our mission to enhance the quality of life and contrib- ute to a healthier future for the com- munities, through our Nescafé 3in1 coffee brand, we have partnered with LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation to fur- ther support their noble mission in en- hancing the lives of persons living with kidney disorder." LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation, the only NGO that raises funds to sup- port patients suffering from kidney failure, covers three principle areas: awareness, treatment and research. To achieve these goals, the Foundation works hand in hand with the medical staff at the Renal Unit of Mater Dei Hospital and the University of Malta Research Trust. University of Malta's Rector and RIDT Chairman Prof Alfred Vella thanked Nestlé Malta and LifeCycle Challenge for understanding the need to further their support in medical re- search, said: "We are very appreciative of today's donation to further renal re- search in Malta. In the first year we are aiming to involve in the study at least 50 patients over the age of 18 years that have a positive family history of ADPKD." Nescafé 3in1 LifeCycle Challenge continues to boost kidney disorder research through University Research Trust LifeCycle Chairperson Dr Shirley Cefai presented the donation to Prof Alfred Vella. From left Alan Curry, Nestlé Senior Category Manager Charlene Ellul, Alfred J. Borg, Prof Jean Calleja Agius, Prof Emanuel Farrugia and RIDT's CEO Wilfred Kenely GET Loose is an energy-packed celebration of life, uniqueness and diversity. The super-tal- ented cast will show off their vitality and spirit in a dance-off like you've never seen before. The audience will be able to watch these youngsters show off their skills and go head-to- head in the ultimate dance bat- tle. It is an imagined a compe- tition-show choreographed by Berlin-based artist Gabriel Galindez Cruz and performed by young people who have been training with ŻfinMalta for the past months. They'll be raising the bar – and some eyebrows – with this brand new performance. Get Loose is being held at City Theatre in Valletta this Frisay, Saryrday and Sunday. Tickets, at €5, are available from https://www.ziguzajg. org/project/get-loose/ This is a ŻfinMalta – Zigu- Zajg co-production project supported by the Arts Coun- cil Malta – President's Award for Creativity. Get Loose - a dance celebration Emma Delicata, one of the dancers