First MRC Centre in Wales opens
2 July 2009
The first Medical Research Council Centre in Wales will be officially launched by Welsh Assembly Government First Minister Rhodri Morgan on Thursday 2 July, 2009, in Cardiff.
The MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics at Cardiff University is the first UK facility dedicated to harnessing the genetics revolution for research into mental disorders. The Centre will house scientists and postgraduate students undertaking research to understand mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; degenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s; and developmental disorders like dyslexia and childhood depression.
The Centre builds on Cardiff’s strength as a world leader in neuropsychiatric science. The investment totals more than £4m, with funding also coming from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Wales Office of Research and Development (WORD) and the University itself. The Centre will receive £2million from the MRC over five years to:
- Develop collaborations to research ways of tackling risk genes for brain diseases.
- Establish a four year PhD programme, offering training for two new postgraduate students every year.
- Deliver an innovative public engagement and communications strategy to bring results of research closer to patients and doctors.
- Establish a new senior post in Bioinformatics to assist in data management.
The director of the new Centre is Professor Mike Owen, of Cardiff University’s School of Medicine. Speaking at the launch, he said:
“Over the next five years, we want to use technological advances to identify new genes which put people at risk of brain disorders. We then want to work out exactly how these genes affect the operation of the brain and, ultimately, start building treatments which can tackle some of these terrible diseases.”
“We see public engagement as central to our mission. Our research projects need large amounts of data from a large number of volunteers, so public support is vital. A great many myths and taboos still surround both mental illness and genetics. We aim to break down these barriers and bring the results of our research closer to the public.”
Declan Mulkeen, Director of Research and Training, at the Medical Research Council said:
“We are delighted to be opening this new MRC centre in Wales, in partnership with Cardiff University and the Wales Office of Research and Development. The centre will provide exciting new opportunities for future translational research based upon world class expertise in neuropsychiatric genetics. This investment is a key element in MRC’s research strategy in neurodegeneration and mental health.”
The Centre’s main aims are:
- Using genetics to improve understanding of the major disorders of the brain, building on the existing world-leading research expertise at Cardiff University
- Training a new generation of scientists who can put this knowledge into practice with patients
- A series of public events to raise public awareness and understanding of mental disease and genetic science
- Creating a new professorship in translating our genetic knowledge into practical treatments.
The MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics
The Centre has also received £350,000 from WORD to enhance the training of clinical academics and for the public engagement programme. The School of Medicine has provided £1 million for administration, laboratory services and biostatistics. Cardiff University has provided £1 million from its strategic fund to support the creation of the new professorial post.
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain’s leading teaching and research universities and is a member of the Russell Group of the UK’s most research intensive universities. Among its academic staff are two Nobel Laureates, including the winner of the 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine, Professor Sir Martin Evans.
Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, today the University combines impressive modern facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research. The University’s breadth of expertise in research and research-led teaching encompasses: the humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences; engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and a longstanding commitment to lifelong learning.
In the recent independent UK Research Assessment Exercise, almost 60 per cent of University research was assessed as either world-leading or internationally excellent. In Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, 80 per cent was either world-leading or internationally excellent, placing Cardiff joint first in the UK in this field.
Visit the University website at: www.cardiff.ac.uk
Press contact: 020 7637 6011
press.office@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
