27 November 2007

New TICR Laboratory to open today

Photographers are welcome, but please call Anna Day -
01382 384768 for details

3:30pm, Tuesday 27th November
Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Level 7 The Institute of Cardiovascular Research.

A new Tissue Culture laboratory is opening today, thanks to the generosity and dedication of one man, Walter Craig.

Walter Craig is a patient of Professor Jill Belch and has come to know of the work of the group. He decided to say "thank you" in a big way!, and has raised the funds for a new research lab.

The new lab, part of the University of Dundee, will allow researchers to test potential new cures for diseases on small sections of cells. Cell Culture is an essential part of almost all laboratory based scientific investigations as it bridges the gap between the test-tube and the whole body.

The lab, funded by Walter Craig , will be used by Dr Will Fuller, amongst others, from the Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases Research Unit, part of the Institute in Ninewells Hospital, led by Professor Jill Belch. Dr Fuller uses cells harvested from the heart. The results of and his investigations on the cells will allow him judge how the real heart is likely to respond. Another group will be looking at blood vessels. The laboratory will be called the Walter Craig Tissue Culture Facility.

Shobna Vasishta Chair of the TICR Appeal says this is a very valuable addition to our research facility and all of us are extremely grateful to Mr. Walter Craig for his generosity.

Walter Craig an active member of the Abertay Rotary Club Dundee, who have also supported the building of this Laboratory, is going to perform the official opening of the Laboratory. He is going to be accompanied by around 25 members of the Abertay Rotary, who will then be given a guided tour of the facilities and witness some of the Pioneering research being carried out in the TICR Unit.

Also accompanying Walter Craig will be Dr Norman Robertson from the William S. Phillips Trust Fund whose support over the last few years has been invaluable.

Professor Jill Belch, said today, ‘We are pleased indeed to be opening this facility today, thanks to the generosity of Mr Craig. Mr Craig has supported the Institute for many years, and we are lucky to have had this major contribution. Hopefully this will allow study of tissue and its growth to increase our knowledge about tissue repair, and will impact on the care of patients with heart and blood vessel disease’.

For media enquiries contact:
Anna Day
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: a.c.day@dundee.ac.uk