17 October 2007

Scientists in Dundee given hearty grant for research

Researchers from the University of Dundee have been awarded a prestigious grant by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) as part of a £3.6 million boost for heart research in the UK.

The charity's special grants are made every two months to fund research into the causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, the UK's biggest killer. In 2006, the BHF awarded over 260 research grants totalling over £43 million.

Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the BHF, said: "The scientists we are funding are undertaking research that will delve into new areas of heart research, and take us closer to finding new ways of understanding, preventing, diagnosing and treating heart disease."

"Researchers in Scotland are making a fantastic contribution: with their important work and generous contributions from the public, we are helping to beat heart disease and save lives together."

The grant announced to the University of Dundee is:

Grant recipient
Prof Allan D Struthers et al

Research institution
University of Dundee

Grant amount
£154,801

What the project will aim to achieve
Many people who have kidney disease also have heart disease. The link between these two diseases is thought to be caused by stress in the circulatory system that leads to thickening of the heart muscle and hardening of the arteries such that the heart cannot function normally. This Scottish research team will investigate whether a drug called allopurinol, which is used to treat gout by reducing stress in the circulatory system, helps to reduce thickening of the heart muscle and hardening of the arteries in patients who have both kidney disease and heart disease.

For more information, or to arrange an interview with a scientist, please contact Marjory Wood at BHF Scotland on 0131 561 3351 or email woodm@bhf.org.uk. Out of hours please contact the BHF Press Office on 07764 290381.

Notes to editors
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the nation's heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information. But we urgently need help. We rely on donations of time and money to continue our life-saving work. Because together we can beat heart disease.

For more information about the BHF, visit bhf.org.uk

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk