New MRC Centre for Reproductive Health awarded to University of Edinburgh
1 December, 2010
A new Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Reproductive Health has been awarded to the University of Edinburgh to further research into conditions that affect reproductive ability and the health of male and female reproductive organs including infertility, endometriosis and premature birth. The new £1m Centre grant is in addition to £12m of research programme grants recently awarded by the MRC to leading reproductive health scientists in Edinburgh. The Centre will host these major groups as well as an innovative training programme for aspiring reproductive scientists.
Inaugural Director of the new MRC Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh, Professor Philippa Saunders, explained her vision:
‘‘The new Centre will bring together scientists who have outstanding strengths in reproductive biology, stem cells, inflammation, development, hormonal disease and imaging. Overall there will be a strong focus on finding ways to translate discoveries made in the Centre for Reproductive Health to benefit patients. I am delighted that the MRC is making this major investment in reproductive health research in Edinburgh.’’
John Jeans, Deputy Chief Executive at the Medical Research Council said:
“The MRC recognises the key importance of reproductive health to the lives of many women and men in the UK and worldwide. This exciting new Centre marks a new era in lifelong reproductive health research and will help ensure links with other cutting-edge areas such as genetics and regenerative medicine. We’re delighted by the range of high calibre collaborations that will be supported by the Centre, opening up creative new opportunities for interdisciplinary research. This offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain added value from the MRC’s investments and major benefits for patients.”
Commenting on the research aims of the new Centre, Professor Jonathan Seckl, Dean of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine in Edinburgh, said:
‘‘Human reproductive tissues are astoundingly resilient. For example the uterus heals without a scar after menstruation every month and stem cells in the ovary (eggs) and testis (that form sperm) are maintained successfully for many decades of life. Research into this remarkable resilience and repair will be a key focus in the new Centre and will show how these processes can be used to treat not only reproductive diseases, but will also reveal insights into conditions that affect other parts of the human body.’’
ENDS
