Leading experts from the fields of medical research, ethics, biotechnology and clinical medicine will be taking part in the first Nexxus Christmas debate: The Challenges of 21st Century Medicine.

The panel of experts will weigh up the benefits and challenges of using new research tools in order to accelerate the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics but at what cost?

Chaired by Professor Chris Packard, Research and Development Lead Officer for North Glasgow University Hospital NHS Trust, keynote speakers will include Professor Sheila McLean who is respected worldwide as a leader in the study of medical ethics and the law. She established the Institute of Law and Ethics in Medicine at the University of Glasgow and is its Director. Professor McLean will consider the consumer's wish list for 21st century medicine.

She will be joined by Professor Anna Dominiczak of the University of Glasgow who currently holds a British Heart Foundation Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics and Headship of the Division of Laboratory Research.

Professor Dominczak has a major research interest in cardiovascular genetics and she leads the BHF Blood Pressure Group ﾖ two areas of particular relevance in the West of Scotland

Dr Ron James is an advisor within the Scottish Enterprise Bioscience Business Advisory Service, formerly the Managing Director of PPL Therapeutics. PPL is a biopharmaceutical company formed in 1987 to commercialise some technology developed by the Roslin Institute ﾖ famous for 'Dolly the Sheep'.

The company's core business is the production of therapeutic proteins for human healthcare, some of which have been used in clinical trials for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients. He will discuss some novel research strategies for use in biomedicine.

Finally, Dr Chris Hillier, CEO of Biopta Ltd, a spin out from Glasgow Caledonian University, will look at the tools of the trade - using human tissue for biomedical research. His area of research focuses on heart failure and diabetes.

Gillian Cay, Nexxus Manager, said: 'I am delighted that this first Nexxus Debate has attracted such a high calibre panel of leading experts in their fields. I have no doubt that there will be stimulating and challenging ideas from both the panel and the audience. We hope to hear from the 'consumer' as well to get a better insight into the needs and wishes of a patient who wants to be cured. We need to ask ourselves if society is willing to pay the price.'

For further information, Nexxus Christmas Debate

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

The Nexxus Christmas Debate will take place on Monday 8 December at 6.00pm in the Lecture Theatre at the Glasgow Science Centre.

Due to the popularity of this event, it is currently at full capacity. However, a small number of places have been reserved for the media. These will be allocated on a first come first served basis and any journalist wishing to attend must contact Andrea Montague on 0141 330 5381 by Monday 8 December at 12 noon.

First published: 4 December 2003