19 September 2011

Minister for Universities and Science given insight into Dundee excellence

David Willetts MP, Minister for Universities and Science, gained an insight into Dundee’s standing as an internationally renowned centre for innovation in life sciences - where world class research is harnessed towards health and economic benefits regionally, nationally and globally - when he visited the University of Dundee on Monday September 19th.

Mr Willetts was given a tour of the research facilities at the College of Life Sciences and met with the University Principal, Professor Pete Downes, and senior researchers from Life Sciences and Medicine. They were also joined by senior figures from the pharmaceutical industry.

After completing his tour, Mr Willetts said: 'Dundee has a worldwide reputation for carrying out research which combines academic curiosity with practical application. It is very important for the Government to continue to back world-class facilities like this one I have seen today, and we are committed to doing that. Here in Dundee they have established a model which I think we can learn from and apply across the UK.'

'We are delighted to welcome Mr Willetts to Dundee and let him see first-hand much of the work that has helped us build our international reputation for excellence in life and medical sciences research,' said Professor Downes.

'Dundee is well established as a biomedical and biotech hub, which now accounts for around 16% of the Tayside economy. We have developed key links with some of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies and are leaders in building links between academia and industry.'

Among the areas which covered in the visit by Mr Willetts were:

• The Drug Discovery Unit, which provides a bridge from basic biomedical research to candidate medicines for neglected diseases and also provides industry with innovative opportunities in cancer, skin diseases, antibiotics and other areas
• The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy, one of the UK’s biggest collaborations between academia and the pharmaceutical industry
• Health Informatics, an area where Dundee is leading in the use of co-ordinated medical information to improve patient care and identify new therapeutic opportunities

The University of Dundee has won two of the three major prizes at the 2011 BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) Impact Awards, which were presented by Mr Willetts in March this year.

The College of Life Sciences at Dundee won the award for 'Greatest delivery of impact' while Professor Jason Swedlow was named 'Innovator of the Year'.

Mr Willetts also presented the Max Perutz Science Writing Award to Dundee student Amy Capes at a ceremony in London last week.

The College of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is home to more than 1000 staff and research students, representing 57 nationalities, and has research income in excess of £40million per year. The College enjoys a reputation as an international centre for molecular cell biology.

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