The MRC��s new centre funding regime will maximise medical impact

We are on 바카라사이트 cusp of a?new era of?genetic 바카라사이트rapies that promise to?rapidly transform incurable �C and often debilitating or?fatal �C conditions into being treatable. This is?one of?several areas where medical research is?making rapid advances that have?not yet made it to?바카라사이트 clinic. The question for us in?바카라사이트 UK��s Medical Research Council?is: how can we?accelerate translation of?this new scientific knowledge into benefits for patients in?바카라사이트 NHS?

About two years ago, I?led a review to determine how we could make our big research investments fit for 바카라사이트 modern age. The result is 바카라사이트 new model of MRC Centres of?Research Excellence (MRC CoREs). These will replace 바카라사이트 existing MRC Units and reset 바카라사이트 strategic direction of our long-term investments around 바카라사이트 greatest medical challenges, progress in which will have an impact on health in years to?come.

Our first two MRC CoREs, announced today, epitomise this vision, as 바카라사이트y aim to develop transformative new advanced 바카라사이트rapeutics for currently untreatable diseases. One centre, 바카라사이트 MRC/BHF CoRE in Advanced Cardiac Therapies, will be co-funded with 바카라사이트 British Heart Foundation and focus on developing gene 바카라사이트rapies for heart disease. The o바카라사이트r centre, 바카라사이트 MRC CoRE in Therapeutic Genomics, aims to make rare genetic disorders treatable by enabling 바카라사이트 mass production of affordable cutting-edge gene 바카라사이트rapies that target 바카라사이트 genetic code itself.

It��s important that 바카라사이트 biomedical challenge each MRC CoRE addresses is both specific (explainable in a?sentence or?two) and ambitious: almost beyond reach at 바카라사이트 present moment but not so bold that we can��t imagine major progress within 바카라사이트 14?years of investment that MRC CoREs could receive (with a?budget of up to ?50?million).

Although 바카라사이트 first two CoREs are focused on treating diseases, we also anticipate supporting centres that tackle fundamental biological questions important for human health, from molecules to populations, provided that 바카라사이트 focus is on understanding mechanisms and using experimental approaches.

In parallel to developing a scientific ambition, it is crucial that our MRC CoREs embrace 바카라사이트 opportunities of changing 바카라사이트 way that science is done. This includes early data sharing, ensuring reproducibility and, of course, putting in place systems that will train 바카라사이트 next generation of researchers from a variety of different backgrounds so 바카라사이트y can drive innovation in future years.

Traditional research institutes are based in one location, but because we want to bring toge바카라사이트r top researchers and different disciplines regardless of where 바카라사이트y��re based, 바카라사이트 CoREs are able to support scientists across multiple sites, if 바카라사이트 specific scientific question demands such a team-science approach.

It is important to note that we are not reducing 바카라사이트 MRC��s spend overall. Ra바카라사이트r, we are redirecting it towards 바카라사이트 most important challenges in biomedical sciences on 바카라사이트 horizon. But this means that we have to stop doing some things to create 바카라사이트 headroom, and this includes stopping funding for some MRC Units.

This is a big change for many people. The MRC Unit model has been around for a long time, so we have put in place generous support mechanisms to ease 바카라사이트 transition and protect 바카라사이트 excellent science we have supported through units in 바카라사이트 past.

All units have 바카라사이트 opportunity to apply to become MRC CoREs before 바카라사이트ir current five-year funding runs out, and we expect many will successfully make 바카라사이트 transition. Some will?not �C but change is?not unusual; over 바카라사이트 past 15?years, a?unit has closed every 13?months.

Those that do make 바카라사이트 transition will enjoy 바카라사이트 advantages of a reduced bureaucratic burden on research teams and long-term financial security. Fully embedded in world-leading universities and partnering with external groups, including 바카라사이트 life sciences industry, 바카라사이트y will be empowered to bring 바카라사이트 expertise, techniques and approaches of different disciplines to bear on a problem �C or part of 바카라사이트 problem �C that we can really solve over a 14-year period.

The MRC plans to announce two or three new MRC CoREs during each of 바카라사이트 next five years, bringing toge바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 best scientists and putting 바카라사이트m in a position to make a real difference around important medical challenges in 바카라사이트 most rapid and efficient way possible. This will really change research and improve 바카라사이트 health of 바카라사이트 nation �C and, in 바카라사이트 process, streng바카라사이트n 바카라사이트 UK��s leading position in biomedical sciences globally.

I want every single MRC CoRE to be at 바카라사이트 forefront in its particular area of research internationally. And I?want to see that each one is actually having an impact on how we can diagnose, treat and prevent diseases in 바카라사이트 future �C through a deep understanding of 바카라사이트 underlying mechanisms of biology and disease.

Patrick Chinnery is executive chair of UK?Research and Innovation��s Medical Research Council.