The Institute of Regional Medicine of the National University of the Northeast (IMR-UNNE) will have a high-power generator set obtained through an agreement between the UNNE Foundation (FUNDUNNE) and Chaqueña Lottery. This team will ensure power supply for the advanced equipment recently installed at this research and service center.
The institution is devoted to scientific research, modernization and improvement activities; and assistance/advice on the issue of infectious and tropical diseases of regional spread. In recent months, IMR-UNNE agreed to provide equipment that represented a quantum leap in the institution’s technological capabilities, and opened up new research avenues.
Among the new equipment, the MinION Mk 1C DNA and RNA sequencer was obtained at the end of May, currently the most advanced in the world for the study of SARS-CoV-2. The said equipment is used in the SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequencing, but will also be used in investigations of other regional diseases.
Previously, in the middle of 2020, two CFX96 Real Time Cyclers were donated, state-of-the-art equipment that detects the presence of specific genetic material using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. At the time, this donation represented an important contribution to continuing the molecular diagnosis of COVID-19.
This equipment has been highly valuable in COVID-19 research but will also favor the development of new research projects in IMR. Special cooling equipment was also received to maintain a temperature of -80 degrees. But the new infrastructure of technological equipment required new benefits in terms of permanent power supply, which exceeded the capabilities of the generator set available to IMR-UNNE.
Therefore, through the agreement between FUNDUNNE and Chaqueña Lottery, a 44 kVA generator set, soundproofed tanks with an automatic transmission panel will be provided. The new kit will be for the exclusive use of the UNU Regional Institute of Medicine. The signing of the agreement was attended by the President of the United Nations University, Professor Maria Delfina Ferravi, and the President of Lutria Chacinia, Gabriel Lemos.
Also present were Luis Merino representing the Regional Institute of Medicine, Engineer Amilcar Aguirre of FUNDUNNE and Managing Director of Lotería Chaqueña, Patricia Rodriguez,
The Rector highlighted the importance of the University continuing to expand its technological capabilities, particularly in dependencies such as IMR which, in addition to generating advanced knowledge, also shows a distinct transition to the environment. He noted in particular that access to the new facilities is made tangible as a result of UNNE’s interconnection with other institutions, as in this case with the Chaco Government, which will provide the generator set through the Chaqueña Lottery.
