December 2005

in this issue

Queen's Anniversay Prize for Dundee

The University has won a prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher Education for its work in drug discovery.

The announcement was made by the Founder and Chairman of the Royal Anniversary Trust Mr Robin Gill CVO at a ceremony at St James's Palace attended by the Principal Sir Alan Langlands, and Professor Sir Philip Cohen and Professor Peter Downes, both of the School of Life Sciences.

The award recognises the work of the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) - a unique consortium bringing together the research expertise of 12 research teams based in the School of Life Sciences and its associated Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation Unit, with six leading rivals from the pharmaceutical industry to drive the development of new drugs combating major diseases including cancer and diabetes.

University Principal Sir Alan Langlands said, "We are honoured that the work of our life scientists in this important area has been recognised with such a prestigious award. The DSTT is a unique, extraordinary and highly successful operation which is enabling the discovery of new drugs to treat major global diseases. It is a great tribute to the drive and vision of Philip Cohen, Peter Downes and other leading scientists that the DSTT has gone from strength to strength in spite of the complexities, not only of the science, but of the international business environment in which it operates."

Co-director of the DSTT, Professor Peter Downes said, "Scientists at the DSTT are no strangers to international awards but The Queen's Anniversary Prize is a particular honour and one of which we - and all our partners in the consortium - feel immensely proud.

"The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy has enhanced drug discovery programmes against diabetes, cancer and inflammatory diseases, contributing to the research and development pipelines of several of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.

"It has stimulated biotechnology in the region by training scientists with knowledge of the needs of the commercial sector. Several of these staff helped to establish Upstate Inc., a company selling specialised reagents to the pharmaceutical industry, which was recently acquired by the Serologicals Corporation for $205 million.

"The Queen's Anniversary Prize acknowledges Dundee's success as a global player in signal transduction research and its innovative approach to knowledge transfer. More than anything it is recognition for the efforts, dedication and commitment of all of the staff of the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy."

The Queen's Anniversary Prizes are awarded biennially to institutions of higher and further education for work of exceptional quality and of broad benefit either nationally or internationally. They form part of the honours system and constitute the highest honour in UK higher and further education. The awards will be presented by The Queen at Buckingham Palace in February 2006.

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