Skin research centre 'living memorial' to football fire victims

The unit at Bradford University, being launched on Tuesday 25 years to the day after the tragedy, will be the UK's largest academic research facility in skin sciences.

It will further build on the work of the internationally-recognised Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit which was set up following a major fund-raising effort in the wake of the devastating fire which claimed the lives of 56 people and injured more than 200.

Plastic surgeons in the UK and beyond have been given a cutting-edge research base thanks to its work which has expanded to cover all areas of skin science including pigmentation, hair loss, acne and cancer.

Leading researchers, who have been attracted to Bradford from around the world to create the largest group of academics in the UK working on skin and hair, will be brought together in the new Centre for Skin Sciences.

Its director Prof Des Tobin said the move would give them added strength.

"For example, hair follicles are a source of adult stem cells which promote healing, so the hairier the skin, the quicker it heals," he said.

"Our experts in hair follicle research will now be able to work more closely with those researching wound healing and skin regeneration and we hope to see the centre foster many more such collaborations in the future."

More than 30 researchers will work alongside consultants from local hospitals in state-of-the-art laboratories in work investigating cell culture, human tissue handling, microscopy, molecular biology and biochemistry.

Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit director Prof David Sharpe said: "The unit was created to ensure that the UK had the best possible plastic surgeons with an in-depth understanding of the latest research in wound healing and scarring – and in that we've been successful."

He added: "Our unique history, created as we were from the overwhelming response of people to the 1985 fire, means the unit will always retain a special connection to the city, the football club and to those who support our work through donations."