Scientists join forces in medical centre to tackle biggest killers

Artists’ impressions of the new building were released yesterday, ahead of the start of preparatory work next month. Construction proper is due to start in the autumn.

The Allam Medical Research Institute, which should open next August, aims to find new ways of detecting and treating cancer and heart disease.

Its work ties in with the project to develop a new PET/CT scanner at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham.

The new building, with a striking three-storey curving wall, physically links the existing biological and chemistry buildings on the Cottingham Road campus and will have enough space for 50 researchers. Its development has already led to around half a dozen new appointments by the biology and chemistry departments as well as the Post Graduate Medical Institute and Hull York Medical School.

Director of Clinical Biosciences at the University Prof John Greenman said Mr Allam’s gift, which the University had matched, made an important statement at a time of cuts.

He added: “This is bringing people from different disciplines together under one roof to pursue a common goal, rather than saying we do biology for the sake of biology, or chemistry for the sake of doing chemistry.

“Communication is crucial. It is very much that the sum of the parts is greater than individual efforts.”

Two new research centres will make their home in the building, one focusing on cardiovascular and metabolic research and the other on cancer.

By involving both scientists and doctors, the laboratory work will translate as quickly as possible into tangible benefits for patients.

Some work will be focussed on novel approaches to tackling diseases, while other research will hone existing methods. Prof Greenman said: “One of my colleagues Dr Ross Boyle is doing some very innovative work in the area of photo-dynamic therapy, using red light to activate a synthetic chemical made in the lab, which kills tumour cells.

“Here in Hull he is making the molecules which ultimately we hope to use on patients. It is just one example of the very varied work we will be doing in this new building.”

A further donation by the Daisy Appeal is allowing the purchase two mini-cyclotrons, machines which create high-energy beams for use in medical applications.

One will be at the University, the other at Castle Hill will be used for medical imaging with patients.

Close collaboration between the two new facilities will ensure novel developments can reach patients quickly.

Researchers hope to develop new medical applications by combining the mini-cyclotrons with lab-on-a-chip devices which uses tiny glass or polymer chambers through which liquids and gases can be passed for analysis or to study chemical reactions.

Studies are already under way using this technology for improving cancer treatments, but the new biomedical development will open up additional avenues of research for both cancer and cardiovascular disease.

University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Calie Pistorius, commented: “This is a very exciting development as health-related research is such an important area for the university.

“This building – and the associated developments both on campus and at the local hospitals – will create a unique research infrastructure, strengthening Hull’s position as a world-leading institution in biomedical research.”

Generating enterprise

Egyptian-born Assem Allam is one of East Yorkshire’s most successful businessmen. His business Allam Marine, in Melton, makes generators and was awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2010, for the second time in four years. Mr Allam said: “Seeing the designs has really brought the building to life and I’m very pleased to see how well it integrates into the University campus.”