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| University opens research centre |
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Originally published September 29th, 2009 THE UNIVERSITY last week celebrated the opening of a new research facility. The CH Waddington Building, which cost around £7.2 million, was opened during a ceremony that included an address by Nobel Laureate Sydney Brenner, a noted pioneer of genetics and biology. The building is part of the Centre for Systems Biology Edinburgh (CSBE), where researchers ‘combine maths and computer modelling to answer biological questions’, including research into pharmaceuticals. The Centre will be home to 62 scientists, and features both lab and office space. The construction of the building was funded by the Biological and Biotechnology Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Dr. Elizabeth Elliot, CSBE Centre manager, told The Student: “The building is purpose-built for interdisciplinary research. I think the building reflects the priority the University of Edinburgh attaches to this systems-type approach to research. CSBE also includes members from Heriot-Watt University and Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS) so the new building gives a real base for this multi-institution collaboration.” Dr. Elliot added that the facility will provide many enrichment opportunities for students pursuing masters and PhDs, and has just begun offering an undergraduate vacation bursary program, which provides a cash sum to support a summer placement for a student to get a first taste of hands-on research. The Centre has begun three main biology projects, relating to issues such as food security and climate change. Meanwhile, results of a study of premature births conducted by Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health Research at the University were released this week. The study found that while premature births have increased, survival rates for babies born early have also increased. University scientists analysed data from 90,000 Scottish births between the years of 1980 and 2005. During that period, the number of premature births rose from 54 per 1,000 births to 63 per 1,000 births. Director of the Tommy's Centre Jane Norman commented: "The increase in diabetes as a factor in premature births is also interesting and may be because there are more women with pre-existing diabetes – which is linked to obesity – as well as better diagnosis of expectant mothers with gestational diabetes." Newer news items:
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