Virus research centre to open in Glasgow

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 19:54

A MULTI-million-pound centre is being set up in Glasgow to find ways to tackle the spread of viruses across Britain.

The Medical Research Council is investing 28 million over five years in a partnership with the University of Glasgow to fund a centre of excellence in virology research. The university will contribute an additional 10m.

The Centre for Virus Research will combine the existing MRC Virology Unit in Glasgow and the University of Glasgow's Institute of Comparative Medicine.

The principal of the University of Glasgow, Sir Muir Russell, said: "Virology research has long been a great strength at this university and the MRC's decision is a resounding vote of confidence.

"With this investment, virology will take its place alongside the existing world-class research themes at Glasgow University, namely cancer, cardiovascular disease and immunology. I welcome the Medical Research Council investment and look forward to the establishment of The Centre for Virus Research."

Glasgow won the MRC's backing after 12 universities across the UK submitted bids to host the centre.

Professor James Neil, who led the joint University of Glasgow/MRC Virology Unit bid, said: "An important feature of the new centre will be the integration of human and animal virus research. Many of the emerging threats to human health come from viruses that can jump from animals to humans, and the strategy of combining expertise across these fields is timely.

"We welcome the opportunity to bring the expertise of the current MRC Virology Unit to the facility at Garscube and look forward to working together to ensure that the Glasgow centre is recognised as an international as well as a UK leader in this field."

Current areas of research include Hepatitis C, HIV, Herpes and the Human Papilloma Virus, which causes cervical cancer.

Research programmes at the new centre will tackle questions about viruses at all levels from the fine details of virus structure to the spread of viruses in human and animal populations. As viruses continually evolve, the centre will investigate new approaches to virus detection as well as the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines.

It is expected that the centre will be located in a new building on the university's Garscube campus. This would enable researchers based there to share expertise, build upon existing collaborations and strengthen virus research in the UK overall.