network Spring 2004 News, views and information from the Medical Research Council

In this issue... MRC funding innovations: Ringing the changes Details of major changes to the MRC's funding schemes a message from Colin Blakemore and Research Boards pages 2,3,4 & 5 Welcome to the Spring 2004 issue of Network. As many We have also taken this opportunity to simplify the Unit profile of you will already know, since our last edition the MRC's MRC's committee structures and to reorganise its Council has approved major changes in our approach to Boards.To support our drive to boost clinical research, Celebrating the 60th funding. Following extensive review of the MRC's funding we have converted the Physiological Medicine and anniversary of the MRC structures, and widespread consultation with the UK Infections Board into a new Physiological Systems and Cognition and Brain scientific community, we have simplified and consolidated Clinical Sciences Board, and created an Infections and Sciences Unit the 12 former grant schemes to create just five schemes. Immunity Board. All five MRC Research Boards will have pages 6 & 7 A new, highly-flexible Research Grant will cater for most their own budgets to administer, and will be responsible of the needs of established scientists. And the New for actively managing their portfolios and helping to Forward thinking Investigator Award that is now being piloted is designed to develop the MRC's strategy in their areas. The Government Foresight attract budding scientists and help them to establish Programme has teamed themselves as independent researchers.We are also This raft of changes has been achieved in record time and I experts in artificial introducing measures to simplify peer review, speed up am very grateful to all the staff for the effort that they have intelligence with brain grant processing, and 'smooth' our funding for grant devoted to this considerable task.We hope the new scientists to come up with support from year to year. systems will help MRC scientists and support staff to biologically inspired continue to deliver top-class medical research and real approaches to creating See pages 2 to 5 to learn more about the changes. health benefits well into the future. smart technologies page 8

NIMR Task Force New MRCT CEO Curriculum Vitae interim report Dr Roberto Solari has been appointed the new Chief 1978-81 PhD physiology and cell biology The MRC's Task Force on Executive of MRC Technology (MRCT), the technology 1981-86 Post-doctoral research the National Institute for transfer company responsible for turning MRC know-how 1986-90 Glaxo, anti-inflammatory drug discovery 1990-92 Yamanouchi Research Institute, Oxford Medical Research into commercial products. He joined MRCT in January, recommends that the 1992-99 GlaxoWellcome, head of Cell Biology Unit bringing valuable experience gained during his career as a 1999-03 Biotech start-up advisor to venture capital firms Institute should remain in biotechnology entrepreneur in the venture capital sector. London with a renewed research remit "I'm delighted to take responsibility Two of the UK's largest biotech companies, Celltech and page 10 for the future direction of MRCT and Cambridge Antibody Technology, originated as MRC start- look forward to building on the ups. MRCT has maintained a constant flow of MRC 'spin- EU Framework company's past success and the opportunity to play a key role in the out' companies including Avidis, Cobra Therapeutics Ltd, Programmes future of British research." Prolifix Ltd, Gendaq Ltd, Oxxon Pharmaccines and AERES Find out about European Biomedical Ltd. Ardana, which was set up in 2000 to Union funding opportunities Dr Roberto Solari, exploit research from the MRC Human Reproductive for biomedical researchers, Chief Executive, MRCT Sciences Unit, has recently won the Scottish Enterprise and how the MRC is Award for Outstanding Contribution to Biotechnology. shaping UK input into In the last four years the MRC has earned over £60m in European research strategy licensing income and entered into 150 licensing agreements MRC Chief Executive Colin Blakemore emphasised the page 11 with industry. Inventions licensed by MRCT range from importance of partnerships between academia and industry vaccines and gene therapy to scientific instruments. One of at the Bioindustry Association (BIA) 15th Anniversary dinner the greatest successes has been the development of in January. Speaking as he accepted a BIA award for his therapeutic antibody products arising from original personal contribution to bioscience, he said, "Industry and Plus... research at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology academia are not separate worlds.Together we wield huge Opportunities, award (LMB) in Cambridge.These have now provided treatments power and influence for research, for national wealth and, and Board deadlines, for breast cancer, leukaemia, asthma and transplant most importantly, for patients and the public. Every year, research roundup, stem rejection, with another 32 therapeutic products in late- publicly-funded scientific discoveries are making their way cell update, events diary stage clinical trials.The biotech start-up Domantis has into new treatments for patients via licensing agreements and more... recently raised £17.5m to further exploit the development with industry partners and through the establishment of of antibody therapies based on LMB science. new biotech companies." 2 MRC|network Spring 2004

Funding changes 2004 MRC introduces new grant schemes

Following extensive consultation with the scientific community, the MRC launched major changes to its grants system in February

The changes have streamlined the number of schemes Consultation with the scientific community from 12 to five, while providing more flexibility for The changes to the funding schemes are based on wide applicants in terms of size and length of grants, and consultation with the community through Colin increased support for researchers at the beginning of their Blakemore's roadshow meetings at major universities. careers.The MRC is also updating its processes for Some are also a response to the recommendations of the handling applications, in order to be able to make MRC Monitoring and Evaluation Steering Group (MESG) decisions more quickly while reducing the number of review of the Co-operative Group Grant scheme, referees per application. A further benefit of the flexibility published in December 2003. of the schemes is enhanced opportunity for working and funding in partnership with charities, other research Both of these exercises have influenced MRC thinking. councils and the UK health departments. While we are as committed as ever to funding top-quality research and to supporting world-class centres of The MRC anticipates that most established scientists will scientific excellence, we need to continue to build closer apply for its new Research Grant.This flexible form of and more open relationships with the scientific support covers a wide variety of work, from a two-year community, both in universities and within MRC units and pilot project to a five-year research programme. Scientists institutes. will be able to specify the work they want to do and the resources and time that they need to do it. In addition, the Find out more online Research Grant can be supplemented with the new Summary of views expressed at roadshows Collaboration Grant awarded to provide infrastructure www.mrc.ac.uk/public-cb_roadshows.htm support for networks of collaboration with other research groups.The third innovation is a New Investigator Award, MESG final report www.mrc.ac.uk/pdf-cog-evaluation-final.pdf designed to complement the existing Fellowship and Career Establishment Grant schemes. Increasing support for clinical research MRC Chief Executive Colin Blakemore said, "We've taken a A key element of the MRC's vision is increased emphasis long hard look at our existing funding structures, consulting on clinical research. After more than half a century of widely with the scientific community, and concluded that very productive biomedical research, we need to simpler, more flexible funding schemes will better reflect demonstrate how this work translates into better scientific needs and opportunities. Decisions about the treatments for patients.To this end, the MRC's duration of awards, as well as the scale of support, will Physiological Medicine and Infections Board has been depend on the scientific case presented in applications." divided into two new boards: an Infections and Immunity Board, and a Physiological Systems and Clinical Sciences All of the changes to the grants system and to the way Board that will provide a natural focus for the majority of applications are assessed, are supported by internal clinical disciplines. structural changes that will simplify the decision-making process and make it more open and responsive to everyone in the medical research community. Future spending In the current financial year (2003/04), the MRC expects to spend approximately £100m on new research grants, The changes reflect the MRC's of which £10m is new money from the 2002 Spending commitment to: Review that is earmarked for particular initiatives. In the • Increasing transparency and accountability, with more coming financial year (2004/05), the MRC expects to opportunity for stakeholder input. spend approximately £168m on new research grants, of • A new, flexible grant structure that encompasses the which £43m is ear-marked money and £5m will fund the best features of our former schemes and meets the New Investigator Award Scheme. All these figures needs of the entire scientific community. represent the full lifetime value of the awards. • Empowering the MRC's Research Boards, by giving them direct responsibility for their own budgets and To avoid any dramatic fluctuations in grant funds in the for developing the research portfolio within their future, the MRC is working to achieve greater specialist areas. 'smoothing' from year to year through, for example, an • Speeding up the processing of grant applications. ability to carry forward funds (with authority from • A strong investment in helping researchers to build a Government).The MRC has also made a bid in the career in biomedicine. current Spending Review for an increase in its non- earmarked budget, to enable it to sustain its support for • Building more and stronger partnerships with universities, industry, charities, the health existing world-class medical research in the UK. departments and other funding bodies. Spring 2004 MRC|network 3

New methods of processing applications Funding changes 2004 A key theme of the feedback from Colin Blakemore's The Physiological Medicine and Infections Board has been university roadshow meetings was the need for the MRC divided into an Infections and Immunity Board, and a new to make its grant processing clearer and simpler.We are Physiological Systems and Clinical Sciences Board.The latter tackling this by changing the kind of information that will cover a very wide range of clinical specialisms and provide applicants are expected to include and the way applications a stronger focus for new thinking on translational research. are processed. But all applications will still go through the The other Research Boards will continue to assess and fund peer-review process to ensure that only those of the clinical research in their areas of expertise.The Molecular and highest quality are funded. Cellular Medicine Board's portfolio of research in immunology will be transferred to the new Infections and Immunity Board, There is now slightly more emphasis on an applicant's giving a more cohesive, rational coverage of immunity and track record and the rationale of their research proposal. infection.The Cross-Board Group will be dissolved. See the Those who have received research funding recently will be box below for details of Board and Panel vacancies. assessed more stringently on recent progress, while for new investigators the emphasis will rightly remain mainly MRC Advisory Board (MAB): In order to align the on future ideas.While applicants still have to show they MAB's work more closely with MRC policy, its members have original, important, and rigorously thought-through are to be grouped into colleges of experts, each of which plans for the future, they will be asked not to provide as will be associated with an MRC Research Board. In the much experimental detail. And for large awards, outlines past many MAB members have not felt fully connected to are no longer required in advance of full proposals, as this how the MRC works. At meetings in January 2004, where has slowed down the process in the past. these proposed changes were explained to them, they welcomed the opportunity to be more closely involved In the previous system, external referees reviewed applications with the Research Boards.These changes will take place before they were passed to the relevant Boards, who then over the next few months. made their recommendations to the MRC's Council through the Awards Advisory Group.The Council then approved or Council Subcommittee on Strategy, Corporate rejected the applications. Now, the Research Boards are Policy and Evaluation (SCoPE): SCoPE is the new responsible for awarding most grants rather than forwarding body for strategy development within the MRC. It will play them to a further decision-making point.This will reduce the a central role in scientific strategy, horizon-scanning and former 26-week assessment process by four to six weeks. It performance evaluation.To help ensure that SCoPE's will also make it less likely that decisions about high-quality strategic aims reflect the needs, interests, and capacity of applications will be held over to later award points. the scientific community, the main inputs to this committee will come from the Research Boards. Another new measure to ensure quick decisions is the increased use of triage, whereby applications with the lowest scores from referees are rejected without consideration by a Vacancies on MRC Boards and Panels full Board.This will reduce the pressure on the Research Boards and speed up their deliberations, and unsuccessful Do you want to contribute to developing the applicants will get to know the result of their applications MRC's research agenda? sooner.We also aim to provide timely feedback to all other We are seeking to fill the following scientific vacancies: applicants, and those whose applications go to a full Board will be able to respond to referees' opinions. Board/Panel Start date Taken together these measures should streamline the grant • New Infections and Immunity Board September 2004 application process and make it more open and accountable. • New Physiological Systems and Clinical September 2004, Sciences Board or April 2005 They will be kept under active review to ensure we meet the • Health Services and Public Health April 2005 needs of the scientific community as effectively as possible. Research Board • Molecular and Cellular Medicine Board April 2005 • Neurosciences and Mental Health Board April 2005 Changes to internal funding structures • Non-clinical Training and Career April 2005 The MRC's Research Boards are now responsible for their Development Panel own budgets, make most of the MRC's scientific decisions, • Clinical Training and Career April 2005 and meet three times a year.Together with the Council Development Panel Subcommittee on Strategy, Corporate Policy and • Special Training Fellowship in Health Services April 2005 and Health of the Public Research Panel Evaluation (SCoPE), they are responsible for identifying • Bioinformatics Training and Career April 2005 future needs and for developing the MRC's research Development Panel portfolio in their specialist areas.This means that the Boards will take a strategic outlook and be more The MRC wishes to appoint high-calibre, committed individuals responsive to research needs, particularly in clinical areas. who are leaders in the research fields corresponding to the They will also have to be aware of opportunities for vacancies, and who are also able to give up an appropriate amount of their time to serve on these bodies.The closing date translating outcomes of research programmes into for receiving applications is 30 April 2004. healthcare and health policy.Their thinking will be used to help SCoPE decide how to allocate money between Interested? For further details, including a full list of Boards.To ensure transparency, each year the MRC will vacancies, visit www.mrc.ac.uk publish the annual budget for each of its Research Boards. 4 MRC|network Spring 2004

Funding changes 2004 Summaries of the new schemes

Collaboration Grant Overview of MRC grant schemes from Our new Collaboration Grant is available to holders of February 2004 MRC Research Grants, Career Establishment Grants and Senior Fellowships who wish to promote collaboration New schemes Former schemes between themselves and other researchers working in Research Grant Programme Grant complementary research. It adds value to the participants' Centre Component Grant research programmes by providing an opportunity to Co-op Component Grant work together that could not be funded through a stand- Strategic Grants alone research grant. Innovation Grant

Collaboration Grant Co-op Core Grant While other MRC grants will support many types of Co-op Development Grant Equipment Supplement collaboration through funds for travel and shared Scheme equipment, the Collaboration Grant is aimed at the Centre Grant Centre Grant/ investigator who needs a high level of funding for Centre Development Grant collaborative activity compared to funding for direct Trials Grant Trials Grant (no change) research costs. It can be used to: • Support co-operative research with high core costs. Career Establishment Grant Career Establishment Grant (no change) • Support complex co-operative links across several HEIs. New Investigator Award N/A – new scheme • Develop research networks. (pilot) • Promote international 'twinning' and collaborations (if Strategic calls for proposals will continue as a separate source of ineligible for EU or Human Frontiers Science Programme funding and will be announced from time to time. funding).

Please note that funding to bridge grants is not A Collaboration Grant may be awarded for periods of two available through any of the schemes. to five years. It will run in parallel with the parent Research Grant, Career Establishment Grant or Senior Research Grant Fellowship of the leading applicant. This is the MRC's main scheme for supporting high-quality investigator-initiated research in UK higher education Although a Collaboration Grant involving large capital institutions, NHS Trusts or academic institutions. items could total anything from £50k to £1m, the financial support requested should be tailored to the needs of the It encompasses the following former grant types: proposal. In general, support can be requested for shared Programme; Centre Component; Co-operative activities such as: Component; Strategic; and Innovation. • Research infrastructure (equipment or staff). • Seminars/workshops. A Research Grant may be awarded for any period of up to five years, depending on the needs of the research New Investigator Award being supported. Grants of two years or less are only This three-year award provides support for clinical and available for proof-of-principle or pilot work. non-clinical researchers at the first stage of establishing themselves as independent principal investigators. It is The grant is intended to support the full range of open to scientists with three to 10 years research researcher needs, from focussed short- and long-term experience, so applicants are likely to be at the start of projects to broad-based programmes of work. It can also their first academic appointment or in a senior post- be used to support method development. doctoral post.

The financial support requested should be tailored to the The New Investigator Award offers funds for: scientific needs of the proposal and may include: • The salary of the principal investigator where they do • The salary of the principal investigator for up to three not hold a tenured position. years (where they are not in an academic post funded by • Support for an additional research, technical or other post. a higher education funding council or equivalent). After three years, the host institution is expected to meet • Consumables. their salary. • Equipment. • Support for additional research, technical or other posts. • Travel costs. • Consumables. • Equipment. The maximum that can be applied for is £240k over three years, inclusive of personal salary support if necessary. • Travel costs. • Data archiving, data sharing and dissemination costs. Holders of the New Investigator Award will be able to apply for a further three years support under a separate scheme, details of which will be announced in February 2005. Spring 2004 MRC|network 5

Opportunities Your application The MRC offers support for talented individuals who want to develop research careers in the biomedical sciences, public health, and the health services.We have a Eligibility criteria comprehensive range of personal award schemes, each tailored to particular stages in The eligibility criteria for all MRC grant schemes are clinical or non-clinical careers. For further details visit www.mrc.ac.uk available at www.mrc.ac.uk. If you would like to discuss your eligibility for a scheme, please email the Operational Manager at Board applications 2004 [email protected] Board Closing date Meeting date Infections and Immunity 24 May 2004 14/15 October 2004 If you would like to discuss any scientific aspects of 30 August 2004 18/19 January 2005 your proposal, or its relevance to the MRC's research Physiological Systems and 31 May 2004 18/19 October 2004 strategy, please contact the relevant Programme Clinical Sciences 6 September 2004 24/25 January 2005 Manager (contact details available at www.mrc.ac.uk). Neurosciences and 16 June 2004 3/4 November 2004 Mental Health 20 September 2004 7/8 February 2005 Health Services and 23 June 2004 10/11 November 2004 Application procedure Public Health 29 September 2004 16/17 February 2005 There is no longer a requirement for applicants to Molecular and Cellular 1 July 2004 18/19 November 2004 provide outline applications, except for the unchanged Medicine 15 September 2004 2/3 February 2005 Centre Grant and Trials Grant schemes. However, in order to help the MRC manage demand, investigators are asked to email an intention to apply to the New studentships Operational Manager at and fellowships MRC awards [email protected] Competition Closing date ESRC/MRC New Investigator Awards 4 May 2004 interdisciplinary research Investigators must submit their full application by the Department of Health 17 May 2004 studentships and Clinician Scientist Award deadline date for the Research Board which they would post-doctoral fellowships like to consider their application. See the Board The Economic and Social Centre Grant outline 2 June 2004 applications applications 2004 box opposite for dates, or visit Research Council (ESRC) Discipline Hopping Awards 23 September 2004 www.mrc.ac.uk. Applications that miss the closing date and the MRC have will be considered at the next appropriate Board meeting. developed a new joint scheme to fund inter- disciplinary research All investigators are required to submit a case for students and post-doctoral Calls for proposals support with their application.Visit www.mrc.ac.uk for fellows whose research is of Competition Closing date guidance notes on making cases for support for each interest to both Councils and requires a combined 2nd RCUK basic technology 4 April 2004 type of grant scheme, including general points that an call for consortia building approach involving both investigator needs to address, details of page limits, etc. It networks and proof of medical and social science. concept studies is the investigator's responsibility to ensure that their Up to 20 research students 4th RCUK basic technology 3 May 2004 proposal includes answers to all reasonable questions and 10 post-doctoral call for research projects that the referees and the MRC's Research Boards need fellows will be funded in to address. 2004/05, the first year of this scheme. Closing date 4 May 2004. Training for working with human Assessment procedure embryonic stem cell lines A shortlisting stage has been introduced into the Dorothy Hodgkin Awards assessment procedure for the Research Grant and These new awards are Are you a postgraduate, postdoc, The course runs from 4 to 9 Collaboration Grant Schemes. After submission all designed to enable talented or senior researcher intending to July at the University of applications are sent to referees for comment and overseas students to study work with human embryonic Sheffield Centre for Stem Cell for science PhDs in highly- stem cell (hESC) lines? If so, you Biology, and will conclude with scoring and are then ranked accordingly. Only the top- rated UK university may be interested in this MRC/ a one-day symposium, Human quality applications will go forward to be considered by departments.The first Biotechnology and Biological Embryonic Stem Cells - Progress the Research Boards.This shortlisting process allows intake of more than 100 Sciences Research Council/ towards Cell Therapies.This will the MRC to inform applicants at a much earlier stage of students from India, China, Department of Health-sponsored be open to a wider audience their success or otherwise in the review process. Hong Kong, Russia and the course, which is geared to and will address the current developing world will start providing in-depth practical state of human embryonic stem in October 2004, and will training in basic techniques that cell research (see Events diary, Shortlisted proposals are then considered by the be funded for the duration will enable participants to page 11).The subsidised Research Boards, taking into account the referees' of their PhDs.The scheme maintain and work with hESC registration fee of £700 includes comments and principal investigators' responses to is jointly funded by industry lines in their own labs.The all materials and instruction, full referees' comments. and the UK Research course also includes lectures board and accommodation, and Councils and run by the covering the theory and concepts symposium registration. Engineering and Physical behind current hESC research, Sciences Research Council and the legal and ethical issues The closing date for applications on behalf of the Office of that must be addressed when is 18 June 2004. For full details Find out more online Science and Technology. For conducting such work in the UK. of eligibility and how to apply, further details and a full list The instructors and lecturers visit For full details of the assessment procedure for all MRC grant of eligible countries visit will be acknowledged experts in www.mrc.ac.uk/ schemes, including criteria and scoring system, visit www.ost.gov.uk/research/ the field from the UK and abroad. strategy-es-course.htm wwww.mrc.ac.uk funding_schemes.htm 6 MRC|network Spring 2004

MRC Unit profile – the Cognition and Brain

Established 60 years ago during World War II, the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit has grown to become an internationally renowned centre for research that probes one of biology's last unexplored frontiers – the inner workings of the human mind

In 1944, at the height of World War II, the MRC brought together 11 Cambridge University researchers to form the Unit for Research in Applied Psychology. Headed by the brilliant young psychologist Kenneth Craik, their task was to help the war effort by "suiting the job to the man … the man to the job, and … improving the man's performance". Using simulations and laboratory tests they sought to make it as easy as humanly possible for people to perform vital tasks such as gun and bomb aiming, artillery shell loading, reading maps, radar screens and cockpit instrument panels, and to improve their attention and vigilance in boring, tiring or stressful wartime settings.

Tragically, Craik died aged just 31 in an accident on the eve of VE day when an opening car door threw him from his bicycle into the path of an oncoming lorry. But the research he had instigated into basic human capacities such as memory and attention continued in the post-war years. Prompted by more prosaic concerns in peacetime, the Applied Psychology Unit's later commissions included developing the postcode and designing the 50p piece. More importantly, successive Directors built on Craik's legacy to expand the Kenneth Craik (left) conducting a visual adaption experiment with Unit and consolidate its position as one of the world's largest and longest-standing Oliver Zangwill as subject in 1938. contributors to the development of psychological theory and practice.

Joined-up thinking Already famed for its work in experimental and applied psychology, the Unit's emphasis shifted during the 1990s to embrace more theoretical approaches and the latest brain CBU timeline science. In 1997 the incoming Director, Professor William Marslen-Wilson, was charged 1944 MRC Unit for Research in Applied Psychology set up by with reorienting and reorganising the Unit's work. It was renamed the Cognition and Kenneth Craik Brain Sciences Unit (CBU) in 1998 to reflect this transition.The organisational changes 1946 Sir Frederick Bartlett appointed Director coincided with a major refurbishment of the Edwardian mansion at the heart of the old 1951 Norman Mackworth appointed Director Unit and the construction of a new wing housing state-of-the-art facilities.With nearly 1952 MRC Applied Psychology Unit moves to current 100 scientists, students and research staff, the CBU now hosts one of the largest single location concentrations of cognitive scientists and neuroscientists anywhere in the world.The 1958 Donald Broadbent appointed Director stage is set for a flourishing future as an internationally competitive centre for 1974 Alan Baddeley appointed Director interdisciplinary research in cognitive neurosciences. 1997 William Marslen-Wilson appointed Director 1998 Renamed Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit In its new incarnation, the Unit's main thrust is towards greater integration of cognitive science with neuroscience to marry theoretical descriptions of mental processes and organisation with ever more detailed analyses of how the brain works. Its ultimate goal is to explain the fundamental components of human cognitive function. Four research groups – Memory, Emotion, Attention, and Speech and Language – each concentrate on a particular facet of this ambitious enterprise (see CBU research groups box on page 7, opposite).They conduct behavioural experiments in healthy volunteers and patients to find out how these processes work, study where and when they happen within the brain, build computer models to test their theories, and explore the clinical implications for patient therapy and rehabilitation.Their work demands a multi-disciplinary approach, so each group draws together experts in cognitive and behavioural theory, neurology, and increasingly, neuroimaging. A Methods group provides statistical and R&D support, and expertise in mathematical analysis and imaging. Strong links between CBU's research groups reflect their overlapping areas of interest, and there are also numerous collaborations with other Cambridge University-based programmes, notably the Departments of Experimental Psychology and Physiology, Clinical School Departments such as Neurology and Psychiatry, and the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre at Addenbrooke's hospital. The MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit,Winter 2004.

Picture this Neuroimaging advances over the past decade have revolutionised psychology, giving scientists their first tantalising glimpse of what is happening inside the living, working brain.This new- Find out more online found ability has become the lynchpin of the CBU's research activities; several dozen imaging www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/ projects, involving more than half its research scientists and students, are in progress and Spring 2004 MRC|network 7

Sciences Unit, Cambridge

more are planned.The techniques they use – positron emission tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electro- and magneto-encephalography (EEG and MEG) – might sound like something from science fiction, but in fact provide complementary views of the brain's activities. PET and fMRI measure physiological changes that accompany activation of particular brain regions, and are well suited to showing where things are happening and how they change over timescales of seconds and longer. EEG and MEG, which detect tiny electrical and magnetic traces of neural activity at the skull surface, provide less precise spatial information, but can capture events occurring on the millisecond timescale of nerve signals. EEG and MEG are so sensitive that CBU researchers can track language-related brain activity from the moment the visual cortex registers a written word, to frontal-lobe activation 100 milliseconds later, and on to subsequent word-processing levels.

In sickness and in health Much of the Unit's research relies heavily on the support of its long-running volunteer panel who take part in behavioural experiments testing different cognitive abilities to determine how they work, and functional imaging studies to pin down the parts of the brain involved.The fMRI images showing different views of the parts of the brain Unit also has a strong and highly productive clinical responding to sound in a simple listening task. interface, through its Addenbrooke's Hospital-based Rehabilitation research group and close links with the world famous Oliver Zangwill Centre for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation at nearby Ely. CBU research groups Comparative studies of healthy volunteers and patients • Memory with problems including depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's This group focuses on the basis and organisation of long-term memory and knowledge, particularly episodic memory of past disease, and brain damage after head injuries, cancer and events, and semantic memory of words, people and things. stroke, shed light on how the brain normally works and "Our ability to non-invasively Experiments in volunteers and patients show how these are normally structured, and which abilities are retained or lost in image the activity of the provide important leads for innovations in clinical practice. Over the last four years, the Unit has assembled a unique disorders such as Alzheimer's, semantic dementia, and head brain as it performs its injuries. Computer simulations are used to test theories of cognitive functions is a panel of 1,500 patients with a variety of brain injuries and memory, and structural and functional imaging to reveal where breakthrough of epochal assessed their suitability for research. Regular scanning of memories are seated. Much of the work informs, and is importance." panel members allows their progress to be monitored informed by, the treatment of memory and learning disorders. • Emotion William Marslen-Wilson, over time, and comparing scans from patients with damage The Emotion group investigate the cognitive and neural Director, MRC Cognition in different areas allows researchers to map the brain's processes that evoke and modify emotion. One team is and Brain Sciences Unit functional organisation in ever greater detail. beginning to assign primal emotions, including disgust, fear and anger, to discrete brain structures. Others are looking at how The CBU's Rehabilitation group led by Barbara Wilson (see also MRC People, page 12) has we intuit people's emotions from facial expressions, and working with volunteers and patients suffering from depression, anxiety gained an international reputation for pioneering research on the assessment, treatment, and post-traumatic stress to understand emotional disorders and capacity, and recovery of patients with traumatic head injuries and brain damage caused find ways to treat them. A project involving 300 Huntington's by infections, oxygen starvation and stroke.The group is using imaging to establish patients is investigating why the disease tends to make people whether patterns of recovery from head injury or coma relate to the underlying brain irritable and aggressive, and how to treat its symptoms. damage; looking at ways to teach patients how to cope with reduced mental capacities; • Attention and finding technical solutions to compensate for impaired cognition.Their NeuroPage This programme seeks to find out how the brain copes with conflicting demands for its attention and what systems are system, which sends reminders to recovering brain-injury victims to help them to cope involved.The group's research includes tests of volunteers' with everyday memory and planning problems, is now used nationwide. attention and functional imaging to distinguish the mental processes involved; work on unilateral neglect, where patients – often stroke victims – ignore stimuli from half of their field Into the mind maze of view; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; assessing the Despite the huge strides the CBU has made towards revealing the mysteries of the mind, effects of frontal-lobe damage on head-injury victims' ability to there is still a long way to go. As William Marslen-Wilson emphasises, "Our understanding plan, and to regulate their behaviour; and imaging the brains of of the brain's functional architecture is in its infancy; knowing that a particular part of the patients with different types of lesion to determine how functions are distributed and shared across the brain. brain is active when performing a task doesn't say why it is active or what it is doing." A key challenge is to develop increasingly sophisticated brain-imaging techniques that • Speech and Language This diverse group brings behavioural psychology, linguistics combine and improve upon the complementary strengths of fMRI, PET, EEG and MEG to and imaging to bear on understanding humans' unique capacity analyse structure and function in much finer detail. But imaging technologies are simply for language.They look at where and how the brain tools that open new avenues for exploration, not an answer in themselves.Their power recognises, processes, organises and interprets spoken and must be harnessed in experiments carefully crafted to answer telling scientific questions. written language, and how these tasks are co-ordinated.The work includes tests of peoples' ability to adapt to background The integration of improved technologies with neuropsychological and clinical research noise and unfamiliar accents in everyday speech, work on will be crucial to building on the CBU's core strengths in cognitive theory and language deficits in patients with brain damage or dementia, experimental practice. Only then will it be possible to begin to navigate the labyrinth of and high-speed functional imaging of language-related activity as the brain responds to different tasks. dynamic mental processes that govern our senses, understanding, feelings, and memories. 8 MRC|network Spring 2004

Forward thinking

In our increasingly high-tech world, we are getting used to a host of smart gadgets, from phones and domestic appliances to robots and cars. But what if they could actually think for themselves, and even for us...

Conversations with computers, cars that drive you home, and thought-controlled disability- aids may seem far-fetched, but thanks to an innovative exercise to forge new links between the physical and life sciences, futuristic ideas like these could be reality sooner than we think.

Over the last two years, the Government's Foresight Foresight Cognitive Systems project has brought together brain The Government's Foresight scientists and IT experts and engineers interested in programme aims to produce artificial intelligence (AI) to discuss what their disciplines challenging visions of the have in common and how they might be able to help each future to inform strategic other. A key aim was to find out whether and how policy planning. It brings together scientists and other progress in understanding cognition in living beings might experts to anticipate give new insights to the creators of artificial systems. developments in rapidly moving fields, to consider Cognitive systems, whether human or artificial, sense, think, software with the ability to understand. Speech and Language their implications and to understand, and react to others and the world around is one of several model 'Grand Challenges' – manifestos for explore how new science them.These capabilities have been very hard for traditional research across traditional boundaries – that Foresight has and technology might unlock exciting new capabilities or computer science to reproduce, which has significantly commissioned from the participants. Others include help to tackle significant hampered progress towards artificial cognition. Despite Knowledge, Memory and Learning, Vision, and Self-organisation. challenges.The Cognitive massive advances in technology and computer power, even Workshops have been scheduled for the first half of 2004 to Systems project is the first the most adept of today's robots are still little better than generate tractable inter-disciplinary research proposals, with of the new-style Foresight infants at manipulating objects, finding their way around, or clear science and engineering goals, in all of these areas. projects to be completed since the scheme was understanding speech. And simply beefing up computer relaunched in 2002. Other power is not the answer; the real challenge of AI is how to Fast forward projects involving the MRC deploy that power productively.The Cognitive Systems Having successfully completed the first phase of the include Exploiting the project looked to scientists who investigate the workings of project, the Foresight Directorate and other interested Electromagnetic Spectrum, human and animal brains for inspiration from biology. parties will continue to build on this foundation.The and a new project – Brain project's scientific leaders, Professor Lionel Tarassenko Science, Addiction and Drugs – that recently began Meeting of minds (physical sciences) and Professor Richard Morris (life work and is holding initial This groundbreaking project brought face-to-face more sciences), are drawing up a strategy to take the work workshops this Spring. than 120 scientists, including MRC researchers, from the forward.The MRC, the Wellcome Trust, the Engineering physical sciences and life sciences communities. It gave and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the them free rein to learn each others' jargon, compare Biotechnology and Biological Research Council are keen "The Foresight Cognitive current challenges and identify common ground in their to help strengthen the new links that have emerged, and Systems project respective fields.The experiment was a remarkable are exploring how best to facilitate new research exceeded everyone's success. Scientists from both camps soon realised that approaches.The MRC, the British Computer Society and expectations.When it they share many similar problems, and agreed that not the Experimental Psychology Network are acting as 'foster started there was little only would working much more closely be mutually parents' to nurture new partnerships.The EPSRC and the contact between beneficial, but that progress in certain areas would be MRC have also set aside £50,000 pump-priming money for computer researchers impossible without such collaboration. AI researchers exploratory Cognitive Systems activities. and brain scientists, need to pick neuroscientists' brains to understand the and both sides were processes underlying perception, speech, and learning, and Wired world sceptical. Now there is neuroscientists need powerful information-processing The potential applications of this new branch of research genuine excitement tools to analyse the huge quantities of data needed to are mind-boggling, ranging from cleverer computing in about what they can monitor the brain at work in real time and space. everyday devices to a wired world that blurs the achieve by working boundaries between man and machine. And as smart together." Grand Challenges technology pervades our environment, cognitive systems The Cognitive Systems project has produced new inter- will take centre-stage as essential kingpins in the Lord Sainsbury, Minister for disciplinary partnerships and a research community eager increasingly complex processes that we will rely on to Science and Innovation to move from words to action. For example, Professor deliver essential services. Medicine and health, education, William Marslen-Wilson, who leads human speech and transport and the military will all be affected. Although it language research at the MRC Cognition and Brain is impossible to predict exactly what the future will bring, Find out more Sciences Unit (Cambridge), and Professor Stephen Young, or which innovations will catch-on, one thing is certain: online an expert in computer speech processing at the University cognitive systems research has profound economic and www.foresight.gov.uk/ of Cambridge, are hoping to develop speech recognition social implications for the whole of our society. Spring 2004 MRC|network 9

Skin deep that normally controls production of the protein that The human foreskin may play a key part in passing on activates vitamin K. Professor Ted Tuddenham, who led the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.This finding UK side of the research said, "Pinpointing the target of by researchers at the MRC Cancer Cell Unit (CCU, warfarin will help us find out more about how vitamin K Cambridge) could explain why HIV infects uncircumcised works. And this may lead to the development of more men more often than those who are circumcised. CCU effective blood-thinning treatments for all those whose scientists Elizabeth Soilleux and Nick Coleman investigated health is at risk from the formation of blood clots." whether a molecule called DC-SIGN, which is known to Nature 427, 541-544 bind strongly to HIV and mediates HIV infection in placental and lung cells, might be involved in sexual HIV MgSO4 offers no stroke panacea, but hope transmission.They analysed tissue taken from nine normal to some patients human foreskins and found that in all the samples DC- An MRC trial to find out whether magnesium sulphate SIGN was present in the top layer of skin cells alongside alleviates the effects of strokes has shown that although not the cell-surface receptor proteins that HIV exploits to appropriate in all cases, it can benefit a significant patient enter cells.This is significant because DC-SIGN is thought subgroup. Strokes – sudden blockages or ruptures of blood to help HIV to bind to these receptors, making it easier for vessels in the brain – are the main cause of disability and a the virus to gain entry. Although the study only provides leading cause of death in the UK. Following up research circumstantial evidence about the role of DC-SIGN in the which suggested that magnesium sulphate might counteract sexual transmission of HIV,the researchers speculate that the effects of stroke, Professor Kennedy Lees (University of its presence in foreskin may help the virus to be passed on Glasgow) led a clinical trial to see whether giving magnesium more easily to uncircumcised men. sulphate intravenously within 12 hours of a stroke could Journal of Clinical Pathology 57, 77-78 reduce the severity of disability and the number of deaths. The results showed that it did help in cases of 'lacunar' Guardian of the unborn stroke, where the damage is a small hole deep inside the New insights into pregnant mothers' immune systems may brain. Lacunar stroke accounts for around one in three have solved a long-standing medical puzzle and could lead stroke cases – some 50,000 people – in the UK each year. to new ways to prevent organ transplant rejection.The Professor Lees said, "Whilst we were disappointed that immune system distinguishes between self and non-self, magnesium does not help all stroke patients, this result will attacking and destroying any foreign material that it detects, allow us to plan research into treatment for a group of from invading viruses to mismatched transplants. So the patients for whom we thought very little could be done. question of why a pregnant woman's immune system does These patients often survive for many years with serious not attack her genetically distinct baby has intrigued disability and since treatment with magnesium is extremely immunologists for years. Scientists at the MRC Laboratory cheap and safe, treatment could have a massive impact on of Molecular Biology (Cambridge) may now have the their ability to resume a normal life." answer. In studies of mice they found that soon after The Lancet 363, 439-445 conception, pregnancy triggers the increased production of cells called regulatory T-cells.These suppress the action of Bird bugs the immune system in the womb, preventing it from Scientists from the MRC's National Institute for Medical harming developing embryos. Lead scientist, Dr Alexander Research (NIMR) have solved an 85 year-old mystery by Betz, said, "It is very likely that regulatory T-cells have a revealing the modus operandi of the world's most lethal similar function in pregnant women. As these cells play an influenza outbreak.Their work provides evidence that important role in many human diseases, understanding how the 1918 'Spanish flu' epidemic, which killed an estimated pregnancy increases their function may allow us to develop 40 million people worldwide, was triggered when a bird treatments for transplant rejection and autoimmunity." flu virus jumped the species barrier to humans. Flu viruses Nature Immunology 5, 266-271 latch on to the cells they infect using projecting spike-like proteins called hemagglutinins (HA).These dock onto host

Research roundup A bloodcurdling discovery cell-surface molecules allowing the virus to gain entry. Bird Scientists from the MRC's Clinical Sciences Centre (CSC, viruses cannot normally infect humans because their HAs Imperial College London), and research institutions in do not match human cell-surface molecules. However, on Germany have discovered more about the crucial role that rare occasions, bird flu HA variants that are compatible vitamin K plays in blood clotting. Although blood clotting with humans allow them to spread unchecked from person is essential for wound healing, inappropriate clotting can to person.The NIMR team have discovered that this may be fatal in patients with heart problems.The best current have happened in 1918. Using fragments of the 1918 virus's treatment for these patients is the anticoagulant warfarin. genetic code obtained from preserved tissue samples, they This stops life-threatening clots from forming by were able to painstakingly reconstruct its HA protein in interfering with the action of vitamin K, which is vital to order to determine the 3D structure.The work is an the clotting process, but scientists do not know exactly important contribution to our understanding of how bird how this happens. Now the CSC team and their viruses, which were later responsible for major flu colleagues have identified a key gene in regulating vitamin pandemics in 1957 and 1968 and are claiming victims in the K activity. A genetic comparison of warfarin-resistant rats Far East today, are able to cross species with such and families with impaired clotting caused by an inherited devastating effects. vitamin K-processing defect, revealed a common gene, one Science 303, 1838-1842 10 MRC|network Spring 2004

Stem cell update

International Stem Cell Forum meets in Stockholm

On 15 January the Professor Peter Andrews The results will be collated members of the of Sheffield University's and analysed centrally and essential International Stem Cell Centre for Stem Cell discussed at a workshop step along the road to Forum (ISCF) gathered in Biology, it will use meeting of the study new medical treatments." Stockholm for their third standardised protocols and participants before Australian member the meeting, which was hosted tests to compare the publication.The data will The Forum also approved Australian National Health by the Swedish Medical biological properties of then be posted on the ISCF the design prototype for its and Medical Research Research Council.They existing and new stem cell web site, in a new open- dedicated website. Due to Council, and will appear welcomed the Swiss lines. Participating national access stem cell registry be launched in April 2004, online later in 2004. National Science laboratories worldwide modelled on the existing the site will publicise Foundation as a new will undertake tests using registry of the US National research and training The Canadian Institutes of member, bringing the total reference materials Institutes of Health. opportunities for stem Health Research, the ISCF's membership to 14 provided by the UK Stem cell scientists, along with Canadian member, are organisations representing Cell Bank. Specialist Professor Colin Blakemore, the outcomes of various setting up an ethics sub- 13 different countries. reference laboratories will Forum Chairman and ISCF initiatives. It will also committee on the Forum's perform a broader range MRC Chief Executive, offer a range of resources behalf.The committee will The Forum gave the go- of tests on samples said, "It is the first time and guidance documents be tasked with horizon- ahead to a £400k submitted by all national we've had international for researchers, including scanning to identify collaborative project to researchers.The tests will research collaboration on an intellectual property emerging ethical issues in characterise embryonic determine the number and such a scale in stem cell rights 'landscape' that stem cell research, and stem cell lines.This unique structure of the cells' research.This exciting documents and compares considering how these international initiative is a chromosomes; the stem global effort to international patenting might be addressed.Their key element of the cells' ability to differentiate characterise stem cell legislation.This has been findings will also be posted Forum's work to develop into more specialised cell lines and make the prepared by the Forum's on the new ISCF website. global standards for the types; and any consistent information widely derivation, characterisation variations from standard available will accelerate Find out more online and maintenance of stem genetic and physical progress in this cutting cells. Co-ordinated by characteristics. edge science. It is an The ISCF website is due to go live in April 2004 www.stemcellforum.org

NIMR Task Force interim report

The MRC's Task Force on MRC's vision in the context are very successful A new central London stakeholders. It will also the National Institute for of UK life sciences in future environments for medical location, particularly if consult more widely with Medical Research has now decades.They also looked at research and for close to a medical school/ UK institutions about the met three times, and the relative merits of researchers' training and hospital, would have the best way to ensure that produced an interim report alternative locations, of professional development, particular attraction of the proposed institute of its findings. Its key dispersing NIMR's activities the Task Force is now helping to strengthen will be effective in the recommendation is that a or closing the Institute.They working up options that academic and clinical links. training and professional renewed national institute, favoured a London location build on a multi-disciplinary Alternatively, continuing at development of built around a core of on the grounds of visibility, research institute model. Mill Hill would take researchers.The next current NIMR science, perception as a national One suggested avenue is to advantage of the size and Task Force meeting on should be located in London. resource, and augment the NIMR's flexibility of the existing 19 April will consider attractiveness to overseas existing strengths in basic site and buildings to pursue issues that arise When reaching this scientists.The region's science with clinical and scientific opportunities concerning practicality, conclusion, the Task Force wealth and concentration health sciences disciplines requiring new or re- desirability and costs of assessed the strengths and of clinical centres were that will facilitate the configured space. It might possible options, and weaknesses of large also major considerations. translation of research also be attractive as a basis decide how to take them institutes as a way to findings into clinical benefits for an academic/industry forward for wider organise and pursue The importance of a clear for patients.This could mean campus. consultation before making research.They drew on the and definitive scientific focus working in close partnership a final recommendation experience of other funders for the renewed Institute and sharing facilities and The Task Force will now to the MRC's Council in and institutes in the UK and will be very important in the training resources with life- work up these ideas in July 2004. abroad, to judge whether a Task Force's deliberations. sciences and health- consultation with staff, national institute would be Having acknowledged that research communities potential partner the best way to deliver the the best institutes abroad throughout the UK. institutions and other Spring 2004 MRC|network 11

Events diary Visions of Science MRC international Does photography bring your work to life and help explain your research and skills to a EU funding opportunities for biomedical research wider audience? If so, why not enter the 2004 Novartis and The The European Union's main funding mechanism for Daily Telegraph Visions of Science research in Europe, the Framework Programme (FP) Framework Programme 6 aims Photographic Awards? The offers major funding opportunities for the UK • To achieve greater focus, structuring and integration of organisers are looking for inspirational entries that capture biomedical research community. Most of the current European research activity. science in creative, surprising or (FP6) programme's budget of 17.5 billion for 2002 to • To improve partnership between research organisations, academia and industry. thought-provoking ways. 2006 is divided between seven thematic priority areas. • To help deliver the concept of the 'European Research Area'. Theme one, Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Two new special awards for Health, with a budget of 2.2 billion, is particularly 2004 are: • Scientists at Work relevant to biomedical research. Other themes of already raised several issues that need to be addressed images that illustrate scientists interest include: Information Society Technologies; relating to the programme's structure and at work or portraits that Nanotechnology; and Food Quality and Safety. And outside administration.To further inform discussions on the reflect their areas of interest. these areas there are other opportunities such as the UK's position, the MRC is conducting a web-based • Medicine and Life 'mobility' programme for Marie Curie Fellowships; the consultation on the Framework Programme. See the images that illustrate the 'specific activities' programme for New and Emerging box MRC FP7 consultation (below left) for details of impact of medicine and Science and Technologies (NEST);and Policy Oriented how to take part. healthcare on our lives. Research. Initial indications show that UK scientists did The other main categories are very well in the first FP6 call for proposals.The majority One of the key strategic issues for FP7 is the proposal to Action, Close-up, People, of successful proposals and almost all of the awards for develop a European Research Council (ERC) to support Concepts and Art. Networks of Excellence and Integrated Projects basic research across Europe.The Mayor Report, published included UK participants. in December 2003 by experts convened by the EU to identify priorities for European-level initiatives, The MRC, which represents the UK on the Programme recommended that FP7 should create a European Fund Management Committee (PMC) for priority one, gave for Excellence in Research as the first stage in developing the Government advice on the UK's negotiating stance an ERC.The EU would provide the initial funds to get the during the development of FP6 and was active in proposed ERC up and running, but as its developing shaping the programme at the European Commission remit extended to building up mechanisms in training and (EC). As a PMC member, the MRC will be involved in career development, research infrastructures and the developing the work programme outlining topics for the scientific potential of weaker regions, it would seek extra 'Pathways of the Mind', Tom Barrick, Concepts, 2nd third FP6 call for proposals.This call is expected to be money from governments, public and private research prize 2003. announced in June and the submission deadline is likely funding bodies and the private sector.The MRC is fully to be in November.The MRC and the Department for engaged with the idea of an ERC, providing that its There are cash prizes of £1,000 and £400 for first and second Trade and Industry (DTI) are planning a major event activities are not detrimental to national funding of basic place in each category, and £500 this summer to launch the third call and highlight other research in the UK. for the special awards.The FP6 opportunities for biomedical researchers.The winning images will tour the UK launch may also include satellite workshops to help to in an exhibition designed to build consortia in specific sectors.The MRC and the Find out more online encourage public interest in science. DTI are National Contact Points for guidance, practical For information about FP6 funding, MRC/DTI events, the advice and assistance on all aspects of participation in development of FP7, MRC views on an ERC, and key dates visit The closing date for entries is FP6 (see box opposite). www.mrc.ac.uk/funding-eu_international.htm 7 May 2004. For further details about the competition and how Information on successful proposals for the 1st call is available at to enter, visit FP7 europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/firstcallresult_en.html Although FP6 is less than halfway through, the MRC is www.visions-of-science.co.uk To find out more about the EU expert group on the ERC visit or call 020 7613 5577 already informing Government strategy for FP7, which www.ercexpertgroup.org will be launched towards the end of 2006 and is likely Human Embryonic to extend the scale and ambition of FP6.The current National Contact Point (NCP) support Stem Cells – Progress round of discussions on FP7 will lead to a Government If you have a query about any aspect of the EU Framework Programmes, or would like to find out about how we can help towards Cell Therapies consultation exercise that will be conducted over the A one-day international to give your application the best chances of success, contact: next few months.The UK's participation in FP6 has symposium at the University of Academic researchers and Industry and Small and Sheffield hosted by the Centre research institutes Medium Enterprises for Stem Cell Biology and the UK Stem Cell Bank. MRC FP7 consultation Medical Research Council DTI Biotech Contact We welcome opinions on more strategic issues from across Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] The closing date for appliations the academic research community, charities, scientific Tel:020 7670 5274 Tel:0870 191 0111 is 18 June 2004. For further associations and industry, so please contribute your information and to register, visit experiences of the Framework Programme to this important Further information is available from the MRC website and www.cscb.sheffield.ac.uk/ debate.The deadline for submissions to the consultation is from the UK central information point – InternationalSymposium1/ 14 April 2004. http://fp6uk.ost.gov.uk – which also provides contact http://extra.mrc.ac.uk/forms/mrc-fp7-consultation.htm information for UK NCPs in other areas. 12 MRC|network Spring 2004

MRC people

• Martin Evans FRS, Professor of Mammalian Genetics and • Professor Barbara Wilson OBE, head of rehabilitation Director of the School of Biosciences at Cardiff research at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit University, has been knighted for services to medical (CBU, Cambridge), was voted president elect of the science.Widely acclaimed as the father of UK stem cell International Neurological Society, and took office at its research, Professor Evans pioneered the field 20 years February meeting in Baltimore. Barbara, who has devoted

Professor Martin Evans Professor ago at Cambridge University.With MRC support he 25 years to researching brain injury rehabilitation, is developed ways to culture embryonic stem cells derived internationally renowned for her work to develop new from the mouse blastocyst – the ball of cells formed assessment and treatment methods for people with brain after fertilisation.The technique paved the way for damage. An active member of the Society since 1981, she targeted genetic manipulation and experimental will spend a year learning about the role, a year as vice- mammalian genetics. president, and then a year as president in 2006/07. She told Network, "I'm delighted to accept this honour and am

Professor John Collinge John Professor • Professor John Collinge, Director of the MRC Prion looking forward to the challenge.This will be a fitting Unit, was awarded a CBE for services to medical culmination to my research career." In addition, Barbara research in this year's New Year Honours list. Professor has recently won the British Psychological Society 2003 Collinge is a leading international researcher in the Annual Book Award for her book Case studies in study of human prion disease, including variant Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). vCJD is the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or • Dr Andy Calder, also from CBU, has won the 2003 Professor Barbara Wilson Barbara Professor 'mad cow disease'. In 1996 he led the research that Experimental Psychology Society (EPS) Prize.The award produced the first experimental evidence of a link recognises distinguished research achievement by an between BSE and vCJD in humans, at St. Mary's experimental psychologist at an early stage in their career. Hospital, London. Since being appointed head of the Working in the CBU's Emotion group, Andy investigates MRC Prion Unit in 1998, Professor Collinge and his co- the neurological basis of how we recognize facial workers have been responsible for key insights into expressions and the emotions they convey. As winner, he Dr Andy Calder these mysterious diseases, and how they might be has been invited to deliver the EPS Prize Lecture at a better diagnosed and treated. future meeting of the Society.

Your feedback please MRC Network is for anyone who has an interest in the work of the MRC, including scientists, doctors, and Infowatch health professionals involved in medical research, government departments and parliamentarians, and university staff and students.The aim is to provide a Bard on the Brain quick, easy-to-read summary of activities across the Paul Matthews – MRC Clinical Research Professor and MRC, from research news through to funding, grant Director of the Oxford University Centre for schemes and policy issues, with pointers to more in- Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain – depth information on websites and in other publications. and noted Shakespeare scholar Jeffrey McQuain combine their expertise to address some of Network is now one year old – we hope you have found neuroscience's most compelling questions through the it an interesting and informative read. And many thanks lens of Shakespeare's plays. to everyone who has contributed ideas and articles.We University of Chicago Press, 2003. are very keen to receive feedback from our readers, so £24.50 if you have any comments, including suggestions for new ISBN 0 972 38302 6 features that you would find useful, please let us know. Just email [email protected] www.medicalprogress.org MRC Network is produced by the MRC Publications Team The new Coalition for Medical Progress website is now and is available in print and in downloadable pdf format live and contains a wealth of information about the at www.mrc.ac.uk benefits of medical research involving animals. A special Science Week web seminar – What animal research has Medical Research Council done for the brain? – held on 15 March features a 20 Park Crescent question-and-answer session with panelists including London W1B 1AL MRC Chief Executive Colin Blakemore. Tel: 020 7636 5422 Fax: 020 7436 6179

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