Britain's University of Glasgow today received 10 million pounds in grant to support world-leading research into more effective forms of medication tailored to the genetic makeup of patients.
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Dr Vince Cable, MP, confirmed the investment from the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF) during a visit to the University.
UKRPIF is designed to support investment in research facilities at leading higher education institutions and strengthen their contribution to economic growth.
The funding will support the development of new clinical research facilities and the installation of state-of-the-art imaging equipment at the new South Glasgow Hospitals Campus, including a 7 Tesla MRI scanner, the first of its kind to be installed in a clinical setting in the UK.
Highfield 7 Tesla MRI provides high resolution anatomical imaging and dramatically improved image quality.
This is particularly valuable for brain diseases including stroke and brain tumours as well as dementia and psychiatric disorders.
The Clinical Research Facility is purpose-built to support advanced clinical trials, to benefit patients including adults, adolescents and children.
Researchers will find ways of predicting which treatments will be the most effective in treating chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory and infectious chronic diseases.
This approach, known as stratified medicine, will provide patients of the future with more targeted and efficient treatment than has ever been possible before.
Professor Anna Dominiczak, Vice Principal and Head of the University's College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, said: "We are very pleased to have received this substantial award from UKRPIF, which represents a major endorsement of the clinical research skillbase in Scotland and closely follows the Scottish Government's recent announcement of 3 million additional infrastructure funding for the clinical research facilities.
