22 April 2004

On target TICR unveils second phase

Photo opportunity: 12.25pm, Thursday 22 April, meet at Entrance to University Medical School, Level 7, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee

Lord Provost of Dundee, John Letford will officially open the second completed phase of the University of Dundee's Institute for Cardiovascular Research (TICR) on Thursday 22 April.

The £2m second phase of the three stage project includes a new suite of office facilities and a test kitchen to take forward practical nutritional initiatives.

With diet acknowledged as a major factor in Scotland's poor health record, Professor Annie Anderson of the Centre for Public Health Nutrition Research will use the new facility for the preparation and testing of foods for research studies, such as the modification of fat content and type. Intervention studies where individuals are given practical advice on healthy eating and particular therapeutic diets to help in the battle against heart disease will also be conducted.

Professor Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe of the University's Cardiovascular Epidemiology and his team of researchers will also be working from the new research area. They will continue their research dedicated to slowing, stopping and reversing heart disease. Professor Tunstall-Pedoe was responsible for the Scottish Heart Health Study, and played a lead role in the Scottish MONICA project (MONItoring CArdiovascular disease) and the World Health Organisation MONICA Project.

Robert McLaren, Chairman of TICR explains, "We would like to thank all of those who have donated to the TICR campaign. Without the help of the public in their ongoing fundraising efforts we could not have raised the profile of the campaign to encourage further donations from across the UK. We look forward to the third and final phase."

Work was completed on target after starting in October last year. The TICR fundraising committee is on target to reach its £3.5 million target and fundraising efforts are now concentrated on the third and final phase which will see the renovation of existing vascular laboratories and new equipment brought into TICR.

For further information please contact Robert McLaren, Chairman TICR on 07761 145898

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk