13 March 2013

Diabetes UK recognises distinguished Dundee

* Two lead researchers address major conference

Diabetes UK has awarded two of its six prestigious keynote lectures to leading researchers at the University of Dundee - the latest endorsement of the Medical School's standing as a clinical and research centre of excellence.

"Such an accolade from an outstanding organisation like Diabetes UK has real substance," says Professor John Connell, Head of the College of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing and University of Dundee Vice Principal. "It demonstrates that our research teams are indeed recognised for making a difference in an area of real need - and this is a core value at Dundee, where our stated purpose is to transform lives, locally and globally."

At the Diabetes UK 2013 Professional Conference in Manchester (13-15 March) Professor Andrew Morris, Dean of Medicine, delivers the Arnold Bloom Lecture "Diabetes in the Information Age" - where he focuses on informatics as a powerful research tool to study diabetes, from its biological base to its impact in the community.

"Dundee is at the forefront in health informatics; and this technological expertise has powered internationally recognised research that is making a real impact on the quality of patient care across Scotland," said Professor Morris. "We now lead the UK-wide e-Health Centres of Excellence - and have much that we can share with fellow professionals at important venues like the Diabetes UK Professional Conference."

Prof Morris has published over 230 original papers and attracted over £20million in peer reviewed grant funding. He is the principal investigator on many clinical studies of new therapeutics of diabetes as well as genetics of diabetes, including the Wellcome Trust United Kingdom Case Control Collection for Type 2 Diabetes that has recruited 20,000 individuals and Generation Scotland, a study of the genetic health in 50,000 Scots. He also serves as Chief Scientist at the Scottish Government Health Department and as a Governor of the Health Foundation, which supports innovation and quality improvement in health care.

Professor Morris is joined in Manchester by Professor Ewan Pearson, who became Chair of Diabetic Medicine at Dundee on 1st March 2013. He discusses "Stratified Approaches to the Management of Diabetes" - drawing on his expertise in genetic and other biochemical responses to diabetes in patients.

Working with principal investigators across several disciplines, Professor Pearson says the generated human data yields insight into biology that scientists can then use to discover more effective interventions - including tailoring treatments to specific patient sub-groups.

The theme for the Diabetes UK 2013 Professional Conference is "The future of diabetes: putting evidence into practice." It has a strong basic and clinical science focus with symposia and workshops delivered by over 100 speakers looking at all aspects of diabetes care - clinical, psychological, inpatient, paediatric and primary care.

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Roddy Isles
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