29 October 2004
Diabetes UK donation
Photo opportunity: meet Dr John Petrie at 4.15pm, Monday 1 November, reception, Ninewells Hospital,
Dundee for photo opportunity in the Laboratory Block.
A donation from Diabetes UK will help fund a project at the University of Dundee's Division of Medicine
and Therapeutics that will investigate new treatments for the prevention of heart disease in diabetes
using a technique available in only a handful of UK research centres.
Based in the Diabetes Clinical Investigation Group at Ninewells Hospital, Dr Jamie Coleman has
established the ability to micro-dissect very small blood vessels, about a quarter of a centimetre in
diameter, from biopsy specimens. The team led by Dr John Petrie can then use these to identify key
functional and biochemical differences between vessels from patients with and without diabetes.
The £1,400 donation will go towards continuing laboratory research in collaboration with Dr Calum
Sutherland and Professor Andrew Morris using the technique of 'culture myography' to examine the effects
of specific biochemical compounds on the vessels. As most of the compounds tested are too toxic to
administer to humans directly, this technology provides a unique and direct method for assessing the
effects of potential new diabetes treatments to prevent heart disease and other circulatory disorders.
Peter White, Secretary of Diabetes UK, Angus branch, will join Dr Petrie and Dr Coleman in the Laboratory
Block, Ninewells Hospital, to present the cheque to the team.
Commenting on the donation Dr Petrie said, "Almost 150,000 people in Scotland have diabetes and the
number in Tayside alone has increased by 76% in the last 7 years, such that the prevalence is over 3% of
the population. This is predicted to double again by 2010 due to increasing longevity and rising levels
of obesity. We are delighted to accept this donation that will help us to further research into new
treatments for preventing heart disease in diabetes."
Notes to editors
Contact Press Office for further details on 01382 344021
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk | 
