June 2006

in this issue

Dundee to host core research lab of £50M collaboration

The University of Dundee will host the core research laboratory of a major international collaboration worth almost £50 million to create the world's first Translational Medicine Research Collaboration in Scotland.

The collaboration will see the creation of 50 jobs at the state-of-the-art laboratory in Dundee, rising to as many as 120 over five years in a collaboration between the four Scottish medical schools, the NHS and Wyeth, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.

Translational Medicine is broadly defined as 'bench to bedside' research where laboratory findings lead to the development of therapeutics for treating and preventing diseases.

Senior representatives from Dundee's Schools of Medicine and Life Sciences together with Research and Innovation Services and Strategic Planning were heavily involved in the complex negotiations to ensure Scotland became the home of the first TMRC - and that Dundee was the site for the core research laboratory.

Professor Andrew Morris, Chair of Diabetic Medicine at the University and a member of the Dundee negotiating team, said the first projects would be starting imminently.

"This is a very exciting research programme which has the potential to put Scotland on the map internationally in the field of translational medicine. The spirit of collaboration between the University and NHS and the fantastic support of the people of Tayside for clinical research was a major factor in Dundee being selected to host the core laboratory. We estimate that the first tranche of over 30 research projects will be underway very soon indeed!" said Professor Morris.

The University's excellent record in working in translational medicine and the strength of its international reputation were major factors in ensuring the decision to site the core research laboratory in Dundee.

The University is joined in the collaboration by the Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scottish Enterprise, NHS Scotland Grampian, Greater Glasgow, Lothian and Tayside, and US-based Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Wyeth will invest an estimated £33m in the first five years with an option to extend for a further five years. Scottish Enterprise will invest up to £17.5m. The Collaboration will consist of a central core Research Laboratory, based at the University of Dundee, which will work with "Centres of Excellence" in each of the four university medical schools.

"I think this is a fantastic thing for the University and for Dundee in general," said Professor Roland Wolf, Director of the University's Biomedical Research Centre.

"The whole basis of this collaboration is to develop new diagnostic tests for human diseases so that we can diagnose disease early and subdivide diseases into treatable groups most likely to benefit from new treatments."

Principal's Column
Dundee biosciences no.1 for impact factor
Pioneering research aids Romanian orphans
Major fundraising campaign for diabetes research
NetComms: An invisible revolution
Pills & Potions - Pharmacy in Tayside
Work begins on gateway University building
Grants for green buildings
International recognition for Dundee maths research
New MSc in Social Work marks end of an era
Dundee to host Scotland's first interdisciplinary gender research centre
Wonder women celebrated
Dundee Doctor awarded for global contribution to meducal education
Mineral water for healthy teeth
Advancing asthma research
Languages for All celebrates successful start
Exploring the digital city
E-Gym celebrates a successful firth year
Dundee-based cystic fibrosis datebase to be extended across Europe
Art in Dundee - work from the RSA Collection
Software Innovations on show
Lord Patel installed as Chancellor
Cow floats in for parade
Design student wins first Jim Campbell Award
Digest
Urban ramblers marching on!
Academic professional development conference
Dundee joins international research network
'Distilling Value from Legal Mash'
Mercury Prize Art Comp Finals for DJCAD student
Tokyo trip to inspire Dundee artist
Dundee Degree Show 2006
Events
Court
Research Grants
Retirals - Flyin' Jannie Retires
E&B say goodbye to four familiar faces
Appointments
Books
DUP print guide to family law
Education-industry link in design
"Flamin' Fifers" get off to a flying start
Life on the River Tay - annual conference
Tayside Centre for General Practice Conference
Dementia work webcast to the world
Royal Literary Fund hails Dundee writing skills programme
Dundee hosts SOMA Festival
Illusion, tricks and poetry explored at Eye-Cons