11 August 2005

Dundee hailed as world leading centre for diabetes research

Dundee was hailed today as a world-leading centre for research into diabetes by the recently appointed head of the UK's largest charity dealing with the disease.

Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK, was making his first visit to the city since taking up his post. He visited clinical care services available to diabetes sufferers at Ninewells Hospital before attending the Dundee Diabetes Research Centre at the University of Dundee.

"I have been hugely impressed with what I have seen here in Dundee today," said Mr Smallwood, as he toured the facilities at the University. "It is fantastic to see what is undoubtedly one of the leading centres in the world for research into diabetes.

"We are the largest charity in the UK for people with diabetes, with 170,000 members, and it is wonderful to see the resources we provide being delivered so effectively both in care for people with diabetes and in research.

"Dundee has firmly established itself as a leading centre, and that is entirely down to the high quality of work which is being carried out here."

Diabetes UK is a major funder of research projects and individual research posts at Dundee. While at the University Mr Smallwood met with some of the leading researchers and clinicians working in the field including Professor Sir Philip Cohen, Professor Andrew Morris, Professor Dario Alessi and Professor Grahame Hardie.

By Roddy Isles, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, r.isles@dundee.ac.uk