7 September 2005

TICR phase three opening

Photo opportunity: 11.30am, Thursday 8 September, TICR, Level 7, Vascular Diseases Research Unit, Division of Medicine and Therapeutics, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee

The opening of state-of-the-art laboratories on Thursday 8 September marks the completion of phase three of the University of Dundee's Institute for Cardiovascular Research (TICR).

The new laboratories will host major research projects funded by the Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, and the Scottish Executive including a study of heart and blood vessel behaviour in Primary 6 children. Researchers will advise these children on how they can improve their cardiovascular health through changes in lifestyle and dietary change.

Another project involves screening people with no symptoms or signs of heart disease, detecting early signs by a scan of the heart, and treating these patients actively in an attempt to prevent future heart attacks, stroke and leg amputation.

At a cost of £250,000 phase three of the TICR project has been largely funded by the Sir John Fisher Foundation. The TICR Appeal has now raised over £4m with Phases 1 and 2 already up and running.

Mrs Diane Meacock LLB, trustee of the Sir John Fisher Foundation, will open the new laboratories. The facility will be named the Sir John Fisher Laboratories.

Professor Jill Belch of The Institute of Cardiovascular Research said, "These new laboratories bring us into the 21st Century and will allow us to make the advances required to save lives, prevent heart attacks, strokes and leg amputation. Funds are still very much needed for cardiovascular research, but this opening marks a milestone for Tayside in terms of creating excellence in science in the cardiovascular field.

For further information please contact Press Office on 01382 344768

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk