The inauguration ceremony of the new national research infrastructure, BioMERAplusCHEM, took place on Friday, 19 June 2026, at The Cyprus Institute. This state-of-the-art open-access research facility is expected to significantly strengthen scientific research, innovation, and collaboration among academia, industry, and public-sector organizations.
The new infrastructure represents a major investment for Cyprus and opens new opportunities in the fields of health, energy, industry, food technology, life sciences, and cultural heritage by providing advanced capabilities for chemical analysis and imaging of samples at exceptionally high resolution.
BioMERAplusCHEM enables the detailed analysis of an exceptionally wide range of samples, covering applications that extend from advanced materials, geological specimens, and cultural heritage objects to electronic circuit boards, human, animal, and plant tissues, battery components, and many other specialized material categories. This detailed analytical capability contributes to the generation of valuable scientific data in critical areas such as public health, environmental protection, food security, and the energy transition.
At the same time, its ability to map and determine the chemical speciation of elements, combined with high-resolution structural imaging, enables the comprehensive study of complex materials and biological samples, revealing valuable information that until now remained inaccessible.
Cutting-Edge Technology
The event was attended by the President of The Cyprus Institute, Dr Stavros Malas, the Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Demetris Skourides, and distinguished guests, who had the opportunity to learn about the capabilities and applications of the new infrastructure.
Welcoming the guests, Dr Stavros Malas described BioMERAplusCHEM as a particularly important ecosystem, not only for The Cyprus Institute but for the country as a whole. He noted that the operation of BioMERAplusCHEM reflects the mission and vision of The Cyprus Institute, which are founded on scientific excellence, the development of advanced research infrastructures, and the connection of these infrastructures with the economy and small and medium-sized enterprises, with the aim of fostering innovation and sustainable development.
The project leader, Dr Kirsi Lorentz, stated that BioMERAplusCHEM constitutes a strategic infrastructure of advanced analytical capabilities, designed to provide high-quality data and services to researchers, academic institutions, public organizations, and industry. Its objective, she noted, is to provide users with access to advanced technologies and specialized expertise, thereby strengthening scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
A Regional Centre of Excellence
The operation of BioMERAplusCHEM further strengthens the role of The Cyprus Institute, and Cyprus more broadly, as a regional hub for research and technological excellence. By providing access to cutting-edge technologies, the infrastructure will support the development of innovative solutions and contribute to addressing contemporary scientific and societal challenges.
