Jacobs Alumnus Hashem Al-Ghaili donation: new cancer research equipment arrived

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In 2018, Hashem Al-Ghaili donated 50,000 euros to the research group of Sebastian Springer. With the donation, Springer purchased modern protein purification system. (Source: Jacobs University) ,

 

July 17, 2020

It was the largest single person donation from a Jacobs Alumnus in the history of Jacobs University: In 2018, the science communicator and video producer Hashem Al-Ghaili donated 50,000 euros to his Alma Mater. The funds went to the research group of his patron, Sebastian Springer, Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the international university in Bremen. With the donation, Springer purchased a modern protein purification system that will help advance cancer research. The device now arrived.

, Prof. Sebastian Springer with the newly arrived protein purification system that will help advance cancer research. (Source: Jacobs University)

"I am very grateful to Hashem Al-Ghaili for the donation. It has allowed us to buy the most modern system on the market”, says Sebastian Springer. “This will serve us for years to come on our path to more discoveries in basic and applied research.”

Together with his research group, Prof. Springer is developing MHC tetramers. These novel diagnostic reagents are used for monitoring the immune response against cancer. An important part of this work is the production of proteins. During the production process the proteins need to be cleaned from any other substances. This is done by using the newly arrived protein purification system in Springer’s laboratory.  

"With my donation I wanted to say thank you for the help I received at Jacobs University," says Hashem Al-Ghaili. “The support from Prof. Springer contributed greatly to my success,” he adds. The successful Yemeni social media star and science communicator completed a Master’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology. In 2015, he passed his exams with distinction and gave one of the final speeches at the graduation ceremony.

On Facebook, Hashem Al-Ghaili became famous with his scientific explanatory videos. His channel "Science Nature Page" has more than 32 million followers. He is also active on other social media platforms, such as Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.