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University announces major donation for Phase II of its Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS)

Date: 14 November 2000
Our ref: 704

As Principal Rice tomorrow (14 November 2000) formally marks the construction work on Phase II of its IMS facility, the University of Aberdeen announces a major £500,000 boost to its fund-raising activities for its major medical research facility.

The Garfield Weston Foundation has confirmed its donation to the University, one of the largest grants towards a building in Aberdeen ever made by a Trust.  It brings the total so far to £2Million raised from a mix of legacies and contributions from Foundations and Trusts.   The target is £6Million.

Welcoming the grant, the Principal of the University of Aberdeen, Professor C Duncan Rice, said:  “This is a wonderful gift, and a tremendous fillip towards our target of £6Million from private sources

“Phase II of IMS is at the core of our Sixth Century Fundraising Campaign, and our activities have started in earnest.  The concept which underpinned IMS was the bringing together of medical scientists and doctors so that they could more easily work together on problems defined by particular illnesses in a fully integrated research environment.
 
“The success of this increased collaboration between staff of the highest calibre has been demonstrated by the breakthroughs we have already announced in the fields of diabetes, obesity and bone disease.  We are confident that more will follow.”
 
This is the second grant received from the Foundation.  The first, for £275,000, was received in (date to be added) for the Garfield Weston Laboratory which concentrates on research in microbiology.  The team of researchers involved has particular strength in the molecular cell biology of pathogens (Candida albicans
and E-coli) and in the molecular epidemiology of bacterial pathogens causing pneumonia, meningitis, TB and septicaemia.

Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Professor Steve Logan added:  “I share the Principal’s delight that a major foundation has acknowledged our leading position in international medical research in this very tangible way.

“The Univeristy of Aberdeen has already been responsible for major developments in the field of medicine ranging from the discovery of insulin to the development of magnetic resonance imaging techniques and its major diagnostic powers and to the life-changing work of Professor Sir Dugald Baird to revolutionised attitudes to maternity and childcare.   Indeed, we can boast the first Chair of Medicine anywhere in the English-speaking world since Kings James IV endowed a Chair of Medicine here in 1497.

“Phase I of IMS allowed us to enhance this proud record of achievement and we were deeply grateful to the public of Aberdeen as well as to the various private and public sector organisations whose generosity made it possible.   I have no doubt that Phase II will enable us to attract even more staff of international distinction who will work with our existing dedicated teams of researchers to ensure that both this University and the city in which it is based, continues to uphold its world-wide reputation for medical research of the highest calibre.”

The building is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2002 with staff moving in early summer.   The IMS complex will then house a total of 300 staff.
ENDS

Further information from:
Christine Cook
Executive Director of Public Relations, Tel:  01224 272014
 
 
Notes to Editors
 

1. The Garfield Weston Foundation concentrates its major grants on the arts, education, environment and health.  It was established in 1958 with endowments in the family food business from the late Garfield Weston and members of the family.

2. Brief details on a range of IMS research successes are as follows:

? 6 October 1996:  A research team, led by Professor Stuart Ralston of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, discovers a simple genetic test, using a blood sample, to help identify those vulnerable to osteoporosis
? 4 December 1997:  A team at IMS makes a breakthrough which could ultimately lead to an end to obesity – they identify that specific brain cells are receptive to signals for the hormone, Leptin, which regulates food intake and body weight
? 17 August 1999:  Aberdeen scientist takes a step closer to diabetes cure – thanks to a grant from the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (UK), Professor Docherty hopes within the next five years to have developed an alternative to dependency on the drug insulin for millions of suffers of the condition
? 10 January 2000:  International team of scientists, including professor Stuart Ralston of the University of Aberdeen, identify the gene responsible for Familial Expansile Osteolysis – a sever form of Paget’s disease of bone.
 
 Copies of full press stories available on request

University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.