New Centre Could 'lead The World' In Neuromuscular Research

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New Centre Could 'lead The World' In Neuromuscular Research

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=64948

Researchers into neuromuscular disease and those affected by these

conditions have welcomed a significant MRC grant to create the MRC

Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, turning our growing understanding

of the mechanisms of neuromuscular disorders into practical

treatments and cures.

The centre is a result of a partnership between a group of academic

and medical institutions committed to translating research into

patient care. These are UCL's Institute of Neurology and Institute

of Child Health, the University of Newcastle, University College

London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), Newcastle Hospitals

NHS Trust, and Great Ormond St Hospital for Children (GOSH). It can

draw on significant populations of affected patients at the partner

hospitals and a wealth of basic science and translational expertise,

which will ensure major benefits to the treatment of patients with

neuromuscular disease throughout the UK.

The external international peer review undertaken by the MRC stated

that this centre had the potential to lead the world in this area.

" Although there have been impressive advances in understanding the

molecular basis of many neuromuscular diseases, this has not yet

been translated into clear patient benefit or new treatments. We

have identified a number of key obstacles to delivering this

translational benefit and the centre aims to specifically address

each of them. By uniting an impressive team of experts in London and

Newcastle, we are hoping to make progress in tackling these

diseases, " say Professors Mike Hanna, Director, and

Koltzenburg, Deputy Director of the new centre.

UCL Institute of Neurology (IoN)

Lemon, Director of the Institute of Neurology, said: " The

mission of the IoN is to carry out high quality research in the

basic, clinical and translational neurosciences. Together with our

associated specialist hospital, The National Hospital for Neurology

and Neurosurgery, (UCLH), the Institute promotes translation of

research that is of direct clinical relevance to improved patient

care and treatment. As a Postgraduate Research Institute of UCL we

also carry out an important role in teaching and training

researchers for careers in clinical neuroscience. There are major

groups undertaking basic and clinical research in neuromuscular

disease that will play a major role in the new centre. "

UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH)/ Great Ormond Street Hospital

for Children (GOSH) ICH and GOSH are the country's only Biomedical

Academic Centre specialising in paediatrics, and the largest centre

for paediatric research and training outside the US. They form the

leading centre for paediatric neurosciences in the UK. Both are

consistently rated excellent in their research and the joint centre

is of world class significance. Both have long established links

with the National Hospital for Neurology (and UCLH more broadly) and

the Institute of Neurology. Professor Koltzenburg,

Neurosciences Theme leader at ICH, will be a Deputy Director of the

Centre.

UCL

" The impact of breakthroughs in basic medical science on

understanding the cause of many neuromuscular diseases has been

enormous and this will lead to major improvements in diagnosis and

treatment in the years ahead. The development of the new MRC

translational research centre brings together many of the best

scientists in the UK in this field and puts us in a strong position

to lead the world in translational neuromuscular research. " said

Professor Byrne, incoming Dean of the UCL Faculty of

Biomedicine.

UCL Provost, Professor Malcolm Grant, added: " We welcome the

establishment of this centre at the UCL Institute of Neurology and

thank the MRC for their generous contribution and ongoing support.

The centre will play a major role in the advancement of scientific

knowledge in this field and, most vitally, in the development of

treatments to improve the lives of those who suffer from these

debilitating neuromuscular conditions. "

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH)

" UCLH has recently succeeded in becoming one of the five

Comprehensive Biomedical Centres in England, underlining its

commitment to translational research which results in real benefits

in patient care. The Neuromuscular Centre based at Queen Square will

provide a clear focus for this group of patients and will facilitate

a dynamic and multi-disciplinary approach to improving their

treatment " , said Professor Alan , Clinical Director of the

National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (part of UCLH) and

an investigator for the Centre.

University of Newcastle

The University of Newcastle has a long history of research

excellence in neuromuscular diseases, and the four PIs (Professors

Bushby, Struab, Turnbull and Chinnery) together with the incoming

Professor of Experimental Myology, Professor Hanns Lochmeuller,

represent a very strong grouping with expertise in a range of

different neuromuscular diseases in children and adults. The

translational strength of the centre is reflected in the recent

award of an EU centre of excellence co-ordinated from Newcastle in

this field of research, TREAT-NMD. Professor Bushby will be a Deputy

Director of the Centre.