In a novel approach to international biomedical research, the French Government's national medical research funding agency INSERM has joined with the Wellcome Trust with the purpose of creating a co-operative programme of research in molecular and biochemical parasitology in the Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology (WCMP), University of Glasgow.

INSERM have overcome national boundaries to relocate one of its research teams to Glasgow, aiming at establishing 'The INSERM-Wellcome Trust Laboratory in Glasgow'. The team, headed by Dr Christian Doerig, will continue to be funded by INSERM but will also be able to seek further funding within the UK. The Wellcome Trust, besides opening its Centre's facilities in Glasgow for the use of the INSERM group, has made a generous contribution to help the French team relocate and establish their research. The University in turn has allocated the use of laboratory and office space to help with this expansion of the Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology. This first in European scientific collaboration and funding represents considerable vision by both INSERM and the Wellcome Trust in an era where joint research is becoming essential. An added benefit is that INSERM's policy of facilitating movement of staff amongst its many research units in France is being extended to the INSERM-Wellcome Trust Laboratory in Glasgow.

The Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology is an internationally renowned centre for molecular and genetic study of some of the major human and animal parasites of the world. Dr Doerig's research programme, which is directed at unravelling the mechanisms whereby malaria parasites multiply and develop in the human body, is complementary to a number of the projects within the Centre. It is envisaged that the co-operative venture will evolve further in the new multidisciplinary Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, which is planned to open in two years.

Professor Barry, Director of Wellcome Centre For Molecular Parasitology commented that ' We are delighted at this progressive development by Inserm, the university and The Wellcome Trust and look forward very much to fruitful collaboration with our French colleagues'

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For any further information please contact

Professor J D Barry, Director, Wellcome Centre For Molecular Parasitology on 0141 330 4875
Dr Christian Doerig on 0141 339 8855 ext. 6201
Glasgow University Press Office on 0141 330 3535

First published: 19 November 2002