Glasgow Biomedicine

Glasgow Biomedicine


Clinical Research Expertise

Investment of over £77M in state-of-the-art capital infrastructure in biomedicine, ensures the University provides an optimum environment to enable leading-edge, internationally-competitive research.  In partnership with NHS GG&C, we play a crucial role in understanding Glasgow’s and Scotland’s health and tackle health inequality.

 

Cancer
Through a coordinated programme of investment and partnership involving the University, NHS GG&C, Cancer Research UK, the Leukaemia Research Fund and the Scottish Government, the environment for cancer research in Glasgow has been radically changed by establishing the Glasgow Centre for Cancer Research (GCCR), a major international centre for both cancer research and treatment. In the RAE (2008), our research into cancer was rated top in Scotland and placed well within the top 10 submissions across the UK.

Image of nurse with patient in hospital wardThe GCCR is linked to the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre (BWSCC), a state-of-the-art treatment centre with a staff of 50 oncologists, haematologists and palliative case physicians, and which serves 2.8 million people. This outstanding bench-to-bedside research centre, integrating strong basic science together with a world-class clinical trials centre, creates a highly attractive environment for first-in-man trials of novel therapeutics, in addition to our own experimental therapeutics.

Forming the hub for the West of Scotland Scottish Cancer Research Network, it typically coordinates non-commercially and commercially funded trials:

  • 80 trials at any one time
  • 1500 patients per annum

A strategic alliance between the BWSCC and the Information Services Division (ISD) forms the only National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) accredited trials unit in Scotland - CaCTUS (Clinical Trials Unit for Scotland). This virtual organisation is the nexus for all clinical investigators in cancer in Scotland and enables us to develop and conduct large-scale studies with add-on translation and correlative science projects e.g the SCOT study in colorectal cancer.

Image of Paul O'Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre
The Paul O’Gorman Leukaemia Research Centre is a key element of our future strategy in Glasgow, bringing together six clinical and non-clinical research groups and 30-40 research scientists. The Centre will lead clinical trials in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia Scotland-wide.


 

Cardiovascular Medicine
Image of surgeon observing monitor in surgical wardCardiovascular research is a strategic priority, led by the challenges and opportunities offered by the health problems of the West of Scotland. Rated top in Scotland (and well within the top 10 submissions across the UK) for Cardiovascular Medicine (RAE 2008), our research centres on molecular regulation of cardiovascular function and translation of these findings to clinical and epidemiological studies in carefully selected populations. A substantial clinical research programme, embedded within our new state-of-the-art Clinical Research Facilities, is core to addressing clinically important issues such as hypertension, metabolic syndrome, heart failure and stroke. Recent research highlights include:

  • exploiting large-scale population collections e.g MRC BRIGHT study to identify candidate loci that contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality
  • important advances in our understanding of vascular biology, with a focus on regulation of endothelial function
  • strengthening our reputation in clinical trial design, conduct and analysis, providing leadership on a wide range of keynote studies in cardiovascular disease e.g PERFORM, SHIFT, DOT-HF, BEAUTiFUL, NSAIDS (SCOT).
  • developing international collaborations with key cardiovascular institutes including NIH, Baker Cardiovascular Research Institute (Melbourne), Harvard and Columbia Universities.

 

Inflammation
Recent infrastructure investment (£26M) establishing an interdisciplinary, state-of-the-art facility the Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, combined with its strong links to clinical centres (Centre for Rheumatic Diseases in GRI and Respiratory Medicine Department in Gartnavel Hospital) has achieved remarkable integration of basic science and clinical studies. Several basic molecular pathways elucidated by immune-based scientists and clinicians have been translated from laboratory discovery to clinical trials at phase II level, informing global practice as a result.  In the recent RAE (2008), our infection and immunology research was not only top in Scotland, but amongst the top 10 submissions in the UK.

Clinical translational priorities in inflammation have focused on unravelling the pathogenesis of:

  • inflammatory arthropathies
  • inflammatory lung disease (COPD, asthma). 

Inflammatory arthopathies research, on effector and regulatory function of inflammatory cytokines in mediating synovitis and articular destruction, has been integral to the development of biologic therapeutics targeting IL-15 and IL-18 in on-going phase II clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. A number of clinical studies, evaluating a range of novel biologic and small molecule therapeutic agents in inflammatory arthritis, are also conducted in our extensive clinical trials facilities.

Image of doctor carrying out test on patientResearch into inflammatory lung disease aims to:

  • identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling airway inflammation and repair in asthma and COPD
  • determine optimum therapies for treating asthma and COPD.  Novel translational approaches are being adopted to develop small molecules/biologics which specifically target asthma and COPD.  

Complementing this work is a number of clinical studies in a range of respiratory pathologies such as:

  • corticosteroid insensitivity in smokers with asthma
  • statins in airway disease
  • biomarkers and regulatory proteins in asthma and COPD