Kelly impressed with BMSRI facility

THE University of Ulster is at the forefront of solving some of the world's biggest health problems according to U.S Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland, Declan Kelly, who toured the world-leading Biomedical Sciences Research Institute (BMSRI).
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Sep 2010, 10:01 BST
Updated 13th Sep 2010, 12:07 BST

The BMSRI, situated on the university’s Coleraine campus, is one of six research institutes within the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences and was established in October 2004 and since then has been one of the pioneers in research of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis.

Mr Kelly was briefed on the pioneering research taking place in the Institute where researchers investigate the underlying causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of human degenerative diseases.

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Mr Kelly said: “I think the research institute is very impressive and I am glad I came, because I had no idea of the depth and granularity and the excellence of the work that’s being done here.

“Most importantly several of the things that are being done here are key to solving several of the world’s biggest problems, including consumption habits, critical illness such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s and different forms of cancer.

“I’m confident after seeing what I have seen today that we have no difficulty identifying a number of companies that may be interested in talking to the University about partnerships potentially down the road.”

The US delegation was given a presentation on the work of the Institute, which is the only biomedical science research unit in the UK university system to achieve the top accolade of 5-stars in each Research Assessment Exercise since 1996.

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Professor Tony Bjourson, Director of the BMSRI, said that the visit of U.S Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland could advance the opportunities of the world-renowned research centre:

“The Institute is delighted to have this opportunity to showcase our world-leading research which is of immense importance to Northern Ireland.

“The BMSRI can use this research to transform our understanding of human biology and pathology by giving us a real understanding of their very complex molecular aspects.”

Across the whole of the University of Ulster, research generated over 29 million for the Northern Ireland economy in 2008/09 academic year

Related topics:Northern Ireland