New research centres in Scotland
- Heart and circulatory disease kills more than 20,000 people in Scotland each year.
- In 2005/06 the BHF invested over £2.8 million in research studies in Scotland.
- Four BHF Professors are based in Scotland.
New research centres for Scotland
The British Heart Foundation has long been a supporter of heart research in Scotland. Major investment over several years culminated in the completion of the BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre and Edinburgh’s Queen's Medical Research Institute in 2005.
Action
Scotland has a well-established tradition of excellence in research into the causes of heart disease and methods of treatment, but the two new research centres are anything but traditional. Both are world-class facilities that employ cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment and are set to become international centres of excellence – key players in the fight against the UK's number one killer.
The BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre and the Queen's Medical Research Institute will bring researchers and clinicians from different medical disciplines together, so that each can benefit from the other’s strengths. This approach will help spark new ideas that can be translated into advances in treatment effectively and quickly.
Projects are already underway, including the exploration of genetic links to hypertension and the identification of which genes increase the likelihood of developing heart disease. Also, Generation Scotland, an ambitious and groundbreaking study, will monitor the health of 5,000 Scottish families to further investigate how genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors lead to heart disease.
The BHF has invested more than £10 million towards the development of the two centres and contributed further funding for equipment and research.
Impact
Scotland, and Glasgow in particular, suffers from some of the highest rates of coronary heart disease in the world. But the new centres' research has the potential to revolutionise the heart health of not only Scotland and the rest of the UK, but also the wider world.
Generation Scotland will help identify those at high risk from heart disease, allowing early diagnosis and treatment with new drugs as they are developed, and genetic information will help adapt drugs to individual needs.
Next steps
The BHF’s new research strategy comes into effect in April 2006. It will feature a new type of award called an Infrastructure Grant. Senior researchers can apply for funding of up to £500,000 (matched by their institution), to provide essential infrastructure to create and support the best environment for world-leading cardiovascular research.
The BHF remains committed to its high-level funding of research into the nature and treatment of heart disease, but in order to invest the millions of pounds needed each year to keep up this vital work we will need your support, to raise both funds and awareness.