2 May 2013

World Asthma Day marked by call for volunteers

Researchers from the University of Dundee will use next week's World Asthma Day to highlight the role that people with asthma can play in helping to understand and better treat the condition.

Members of the internationally recognised Asthma and Allergy Research Group will be at the Overgate Centre on Tuesday, 7th May to meet with members of the public and provide them with information about the cutting-edge research taking place in Dundee.

In particular they are hoping to recruit new volunteers to take part in clinical trials.

Professor Brian Lipworth, head of the Asthma and Allergy Research Group, said, "People are incredibly generous in giving money for research and taking part in fundraising events and we are grateful for all they do.

"However, for the research they fund to bear fruit we need people to help us conduct clinical trials so we are hoping to recruit more volunteers willing to take part in our studies. We need to hear from anyone with asthma who wants to help.

"By giving their time under the guidance of experienced professionals they can make a truly personal and worthwhile contribution to medical research."

The Asthma and Allergy Research Group was established in 1997, and comprises a team of doctors, scientists, nurses and technicians whose aim is to improve the quality of life for people who suffer from breathing problems like asthma, hayfever and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The group's research is aimed at increasing our understanding of these breathing problems and their treatments. The research takes place at its fully equipped, state-of-the-art centre at Ninewells Hospital.

Each study is different and because of this, volunteers will be invited for a 'screening visit', which will check the subject's health and suitability for a particular trial.

More information is available by visiting www.asthma-allergy-research.co.uk, contacting group manager Patricia Burns on p.burns@dundee.ac.uk or 01382 383297 or visiting the team at the Overgate from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday, 7th May.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277