News from the Medical Research Council November / December 2008

Measuring the worth of medical research page 2

Centre profile: MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre page 12 3

cardiovascular disease research over the studied period our results will stimulate more work in this important were equivalent to an annual rate of return of around but neglected area of research.” Measuring the worth 39 per cent for cardiovascular disease, and 37 per cent for mental health research. Overall, around 30 percent The study also showed that there is a time-lag between of medical research of the gains consisted of benefits to the UK economy, research expenditure and eventual health benefits of and the remainder was derived from health gains from around 17 years. This raises further questions, such new treatments or preventive measures. as whether the measured returns on investment are specific to the time frame studied. Do returns differ A new study has shown that every pound that the tax Developing methodology to work out the health The findings also showed that public and charitable depending on the area of research funded? These payer or charity donor invests in medical research and gross domestic product gains from investing in funding of medical research encouraged greater uncertainties also apply to the time-lag between yields a wider chain of benefits equivalent to earning these two areas, the researchers aimed to address a investment from the pharmaceutical industry, a so- investment and benefit in different disease areas. More 39 pence each year, forever. This study throws into raft of questions such as: what proportion of global called “spill-over” effect. One example of this is that research is clearly needed to answer these questions relief the wider importance of investment in medical cardiovascular disease/mental health research can be public investment in universities generates skilled and expand upon the insights gained from the study. research for economic growth as well as for social attributed to the UK? What is the time-lag between graduates, new ideas, networking opportunities and and health benefit. research expenditure and its impact on health? And high quality libraries. The report points out that it is The researchers point out that the study was not what were the key treatments and interventions over no coincidence that high-tech firms choose to base intended to be viewed as a one-off exercise, but rather The contribution of medical research to health is clear. this period and how many people used them? themselves near top-quality universities. Each £1 of as an opening into a new research field which will lead For example, research conducted by the MRC in the extra public/charitable investment in UK medical to even more robust studies in future. However, the 1950s established a link between smoking and lung Data were gathered from UK research funders, research was shown to yield £2.20 to £5.10 of extra results do provide the first real quantitative estimates cancer which has since saved millions of lives. But the including the MRC, Department of Health, and pharmaceutical company investment, which taken of the economic benefits of UK public and charitable wider health and economic benefits of medical research the , to work out total investment together earned an extra £1.10 to £2.50 GDP per investment in medical research. Although the work can sometimes be overlooked. In November, the in the two chosen disease areas. Evidence-based year for the UK economy. focused on just two disease areas, the results indicate report of a year-long study to investigate this area was clinical guidelines were used to estimate the UK’s that total health and GDP gains arising from medical published, commissioned in 2007 by the UK Evaluation research contribution to interventions in this field Professor Martin Buxton from the Health Economics research across all areas could be even greater. Forum (the MRC, Wellcome Trust and Academy of including those from NICE (the National Institute Research Group at Brunel University, who led the Medical Sciences). The report’s findings provide some for Health and Clinical Excellence). Evidence on 46 study, said: “Estimating the returns on investment in Sir , Chief Executive of the MRC, extraordinary insights into the wider benefits of medical different combinations of cardiovascular diseases and medical research is notoriously difficult. This is partly said: “The report provides a fascinating insight into the research to both the health and wealth of the UK. interventions to treat or prevent them was analysed, due to the time it takes for research to filter into substantial benefits of medical research. A key message for example aspirin, beta blockers and smoking measurable health benefits. We looked at the value we can take from the findings - particularly during the The study was carried out by a consortium involving cessation, while the study for mental health used of health gains once the cost of healthcare had been current economic downturn - is that supporting a Brunel University, RAND Europe and the Office of evidence on six such combinations. Quality Adjusted taken into account and gains to the UK’s national wide portfolio of research is very important for future Health Economics. It focused on the returns from Life Years (QALY), estimated by NICE to be worth income (GDP) from medical research.” patient and wider economic benefit. It can be hard to investment into research in cardiovascular disease £25,000 each, were used to measure the quantity see the full potential of research at the outset, but this and mental health over 17 years between 1975 and and quality of life gained from a health intervention. He added: “Our aim was to generate realistic estimates study shows that investment at an early stage can pay 1992. Cardiovascular disease was chosen because of the economic impacts of medical research. The very healthy dividends further down the line.” much is known about how therapies and diagnostics The results were impressive. The researchers methodology we came up with should help to assess affect health and lifespan, and conversely mental health estimated that the health and gross domestic product the returns for different disease areas. However, this Download the full study at because there is less understanding of such effects. gains from UK public and charitable investments in was never intended as a one-off exercise, and we hope www.wellcome.ac.uk/economicbenefits

Contents NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008

04 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill passed 11 Major study of UK sexual attitudes and lifestyles enters third decade 05 Draft Animals Directive raises research council concerns 12 Unit profile: MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre 06 MRC forges transatlantic stem cell collaboration 16  Public Engagement 07 Promoting health and wellbeing through the years 17  What’s new on mrc.ac.uk 4 5 Update from Human Fertilisation the MRC Chief and Embryology Draft Animals Directive raises Executive Bill Passed research council concerns This month I’ll be attending a two-day residential meeting, The Bill to update laws governing embryo which will bring together research received Royal Assent on 13 Proposed changes to the European Union’s the Research Defence Society to brief UK MEPs on the MRC Strategy Board and November, becoming an Act after a year- Animals Directive – which forms part of the the Directive, and has offered some of them visits to Council for the first time, to MRC laboratories that use animals. finalise the MRC’s strategic long passage through Parliament. regulations for research involving animals plan for the next 5 – 7 years. in the UK – have caused concern among In the final debates on the 29 October, the House of research councils. The MRC, Natural Environment If any MRC-funded scientists are willing to The new strategy will go out for consultation early Lords approved several key amendments introduced Research Council and Biotechnology and Biological host a visit by their MEP, they should first in the New Year. We expect to deliver our vision and by the Government during the House of Commons Sciences Research Council argue changes are necessary discuss this with their Certificate Holder, future directions and policies later in 2009. Watch out stages. These were all supported by the MRC, which - but those proposed may restrict research. and then contact Tony Peatfield (tony. for updates in future issues of Network. has worked with the Wellcome Trust, AMS, AMRC and [email protected]). Royal Society in advising and briefing parliamentarians. The UK Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 As the year draws to a close and we start to plan our is based on the original EU Directive, ‘86/609’. The The draft revised Directive is available at: future direction, it is a good time to take stock of the The Act is expected to come into force in October European Commission published the draft revision to http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ many positive strategic changes that have taken place 2009. Look out for more detailed guidance for stem update the original Directive on 5 November, with a chemicals/lab_animals/proposal_en.htm. in 2008. We have modified the MRC’s governance and cell and embryology researchers in future editions particular emphasis on improving animal welfare and head office structures, including the appointment of of Network. increasing harmonisation across Europe. However, the eight new members to Council. We also established the Strategy Board at the start of the year and have councils believe the proposed revisions would lead THE RESEARCH COUNCILS’ VIEW introduced a more formalised executive role for to more red tape and hamper essential research, with board chairs in the management and delivery of their Key amendments to the bill: few additional animal welfare benefits. • The proposal to restrict research on non-human board portfolios. This will help to sharpen the focus a guide for researchers primates to the development of treatments or on how we deliver our research. Speaking on behalf of the three Research Councils, diagnostics for life-threatening or debilitating Human admixed embryos – These are Dr Tony Peatfield, the MRC’s Acting Director of clinical conditions could exclude both valuable basic Earlier this month, I also co-hosted a Health viewed by many researchers as critical for more Corporate Affairs, said: “Europe-wide laws regulating research and research on other serious conditions Opportunities workshop in Scotland with Professor rapid progression of embryonic stem cell research the use of animals in research are important. It is time that impact on quality of life. For example, obesity Sir John Savill and the Chief Scientist Office of the towards potential therapies. The Act defines them to update the 1986 Directive but we must make sure or fertility. Scottish Government Health Directorates. The and rules that they may only be created subject to that any changes promote animal welfare, help to • The Directive should avoid measures that add workshop’s aim was to investigate the merits of a HFEA licence; they cannot be kept for more than benefit patients, strengthen public confidence, maintain to bureaucracy – for example, multiple levels of supporting early or late-stage research in different 14 days or implanted into a woman or animal. the UK’s economic competitiveness, and keep us at authorisation and review prior to initiation, and areas based on need and scientific opportunity. The the forefront of global scientific research.” during the conduct of research – but which do not workshop forms part of OSCHR’s project to identify Consent to use of material to create UK health research priorities over the next decade, as lead to positive animal welfare outcomes. recommended by the Cooksey Review. embryos – The Act allows for existing collections He added that any changes should be appropriate: • Specific invertebrate species should not be of material to be used to create embryos, subject “We want to see regulations founded on good included in the regulation without better evidence As you’ll have read from the story on the previous to strict safeguards, from children and from adults evidence and that keep levels of red tape in that they may suffer. page, our research yields huge economic benefit for who lack capacity to consent. This would only be proportion. The Directive should deliver a consistent • Some of the restrictions on the size of cages and the UK. The new evaluation processes we’re putting legal if other material could not reasonably be used approach across EU member states in the use of on environmental conditions are over-prescriptive. in place to track better the MRC’s research from and is subject to HFEA approval. Research into rare animals in research but it should allow for flexibility in They may be costly without significantly benefiting discovery to application and beyond have already conditions will now be able to take advantage of the way the Directive is implemented.” animal welfare, for instance. revealed very encouraging results. In these times of embryonic stem cell techniques and therapies. • The existing restrictions on use of wild-caught economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever The Research Councils are involved in discussions animals should not be extended further during for us to demonstrate that, although early discoveries HFEA Register – Regulations will now be with Government which will prepare the UK response debates on this draft, as this could restrict sometimes take many years to be translated into made to allow researchers to access some forms to the draft Directive. The process for approving the research (including veterinary and behavioural tangible benefits for patients and for the wider of the information held by the HFEA on fertility revised Directive though the European Parliament and research) on the health effects of environmental economy, those benefits are worth every penny of treatments and outcomes. This should facilitate funding to get initial research off the ground. Council of Ministers is complex and could take up to change and pollution. research into the effects of IVF treatments and two years. In the meantime, the MRC is working with Sir Leszek Borysiewicz health outcomes. 7 Promoting health and MRC forges transatlantic wellbeing through stem cell collaboration the years: lifelong

The MRC has teamed up with the California health centres Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the state’s stem cell agency, to help advance established stem cell therapies towards tackling some of the most debilitating diseases. across the UK

New ‘lifelong health’ centres have been established in lucky in Scotland to have access to data from the Scottish Edinburgh, Newcastle and London as part of a cross- Mental Surveys of 1932 and 1947, and by following up council investment in ageing research. the people who took part all these years later we’re hoping to develop key insights into the relationship The Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Programme, funded between intelligence and lifespan.” by the BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC and MRC, focuses on strengthening multidisciplinary and collaborative research Newcastle University is hosting the Centre for Brain in ageing. Over £11m was awarded to establish the Ageing and Vitality, led by Professor Doug Turnbull. The three centres earlier this year. The centres will carry out first of its two main research programmes will look at research into the ageing brain, frailty and quality of life. age-related brain cell loss and degeneration and vascular disease. The second will aim to increase understanding At the University of Edinburgh, the Centre in Cognitive of how exercise, mobility, nutrition and other aspects of Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology has been established, lifestyle can influence vitality. directed by Professor Ian Deary. It will carry out research into the effect lifespan has on intelligence (cognitive ageing) and The third centre is the Crucible Centre, led by Professor the effect intelligence has on lifespan (cognitive epidemiology). Nick Tyler and based at UCL (University College London). Uniquely, it will also pursue the recently discovered link It aims to inspire researchers to link the search for longevity between early life intelligence and morbidity and mortality. with the aspiration to improve wellbeing. By encouraging research collaborations across disciplines, the centre will Professor Deary explained: “The way we think is the core aim to improve understanding of all aspects of the ageing of our being, and I want to extend the period that we process from philosophy and economics to how the design keep our personality and mental skills. We’re extremely of the built environment can affect wellbeing in old age. The UK’s Minister for Science, Lord Drayson, and Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Chief Executive of the MRC, the chairman of the governing board of the CIRM, said: “the CIRM and the MRC share the ambition Robert N. Klein, signed an agreement in October to of devising new treatments for currently incurable Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Call for Proposals lay the foundation for joint UK-California research. diseases using the promise of stem cell research. The second phase of the Programme is a call for proposals, supported by the AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC and The agreement will make it easier for researchers in The joint effort we’re launching will make CIRM MRC and UK health departments. Multi-disciplinary applications are invited in: California and the UK to obtain joint funding. The aim researchers key partners of UK stem cell scientists. • Mental capital, mental health and wellbeing is to bring together the best expertise to focus on By working closely together we have every reason to • Markers for the ageing process specific areas of research. hope that we will be able to realise the full potential • Interventions that promote healthy ageing and independence in later life of stem cell research and bring breakthroughs to the • Interactions between determinants of healthy ageing Research teams from both sides of the Atlantic will clinic more quickly.” be able to apply for funding through a process that There will be two modes of funding: LLHW Collaboratives (awards to support high quality research by builds upon routine CIRM/MRC procedures. For The CIRM and the MRC plan to hold a conference with multidisciplinary teams), and Collaborative Development Networks (short-term awards to create new successful applications, the CIRM will fund the California leading scientists in the field in January 2009 to discuss partnerships across research disciplines). A workshop will be held on 12 December 2008 for potential network researchers and the MRC will fund those in the UK. the most fruitful options for collaboration. applicants. Read more at: www.mrc.ac.uk/ApplyingforaGrant/CallsForProposals/LLHW/index.htm 8 9

RESEARCH CENTRE Thanking the NEWS ‘Hertfordshire babies’ Hundreds of Hertfordshire residents whose birth records have helped MRC scientists to understand more about the effect of early life on health in adulthood attended a special Talking Japanese meeting in September.

bio-safety The Hertfordshire Cohort Study, now 20 years old, is Staff from the MRC’s corporate run by the MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre (ERC) in Health, Safety and Security team Southampton. The event, held at Castle Hall in Hertford, recently paid a visit to Tokyo’s highlighted how the participation of the ‘Hertfordshire National Institute of Infectious babies’ has shed light on the links between early Disease (NIID) to talk about how bio- development – such as birth weight and growth in the safety training is carried out in the UK. first year of life – and adult health.

Supporting safer medicine With funding from the Japanese Health Sciences Professor Cyrus Cooper, Director of the ERC, explained: The MRC has awarded £3.7m to develop a Foundation, the MRC’s Dr Arthur Mitchell ran “If you compare the maps of common diseases, such as new centre aimed at reducing the risks of adverse a two-day training session for bio-safety officers heart disease and osteoporosis, in and Wales drug effects. at the Institute, covering topics ranging from today with one of infant mortality 70 years ago, there is the law and duties of a biological safety officer a startling similarity. The parts of the country which once The MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, launched to transportation of hazardous substances and had the least healthy babies are now the hotspots for heart in October, is based at the University of Liverpool’s design of containment facilities. The course disease. This led us to ask ‘do poor conditions in early life School of Biomedical Sciences and led by Professor was attended by 40 participants from institutes lead to heart disease and other diseases of adult life?” Kevin Park. Scientists at the Universities of Liverpool across Japan, including representatives from the and Manchester will work with leading pharmaceutical New asthma labs open Japanese Ministry of Health. Hertfordshire was chosen for the study because, uniquely, companies to improve understanding of adverse drug New laboratories were opened at the MRC Asthma UK it had preserved its midwife and health visitor records reactions and investigate how to refine the design, Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma in October by Arthur said: “A strong impression I got was that since 1911. This provided readily available information tailoring and selection of drugs. the MRC Chief Executive, Sir Leszek Borysiewicz. prior to this course few interactive sessions on the early growth and health of have been designed in Japan. Most seminars are thousands of residents. Professor Park said: “Science has made huge advances The new laboratories are part of a £10m investment very much sit and listen. The response from in drug therapies for a wide range of medical from King’s College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ the participants was extremely encouraging The study has allowed scientists to conditions and in the majority of patients these Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity and those who participated really enjoyed the make many illuminating discoveries. treatments work extremely effectively and save lives. in asthma and allergy research. The expansion of the interactive sessions and particularly a design For example, low birth weight can Our team will focus on drugs that have the ability to centre will allow scientists to focus on environmental exercise for a Containment Level 2 laboratory.” lead to worse adult lung function and treat disease but may, in some cases, react badly to the and respiratory health and the impact of the low diabetes, and the method of weaning biology of individual patients.” emission zone in London. The MRC visit also included meetings with and age at weaning can influence senior NIID staff to discuss the structure adult cholesterol concentrations. The The centre will collaborate closely with pharmaceutical Sir Leszek said: “The potential for this centre to lead the of MRC safety management and the new study also provided the first evidence companies AstraZeneca, Novartis, Pfizer and Merck, the way in asthma and allergy research across the world accreditation scheme for UK biological safety that growth in infancy is related to Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, is inching closer with the opening of new laboratories. officers, a talk at a clinical microbiology bone mass, and therefore the risk of and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical The MRC’s collaboration with King’s College London, seminar and a visit to Shiba University. osteoporosis, in later life. Industry to improve patient care and help to develop Imperial College and Asthma UK in establishing the new medicines for the future. centre has enhanced our insight into asthma and The NIID intends to use questionnaire For more information on the study, go allergy. The expansion of facilities means we have responses from the training courses to inform to www.mrc.soton.ac.uk/herts Read more about the centre at: taken another positive step towards creating new and the development of a national training and Top image: Hertfordshire baby Margaret Duff www.mrc.ac.uk/NewsViewsAndEvents/News. improved treatments.” development programme in Japan. Bottom image: Professor Cyrus Cooper watches former Director, Professor David Barker, cut the cake 10 11 Click online for New signpost Major study of UK sexual experimental to clinical trials attitudes and lifestyles medicine guidance expertise enters third decade A new web resource providing practical help A new website has been launched for researchers carrying out experimental to help clinical researchers and medicine studies has been launched by the funders find UK clinical trials units A new National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles MRC Regulatory Support Centre. with the most relevant expertise in (NATSAL) is to be carried out in 2010; the third such study in coordinating multicentre trials. Britain in as many decades. The Experimental Medicine Tool Kit helps researchers to follow good practice for studies that fall outside the scope UKCRC Registered Clinical Trials Units The team behind NATSAL has secured £7.3m funding from a group of current regulations, such as microbial challenge studies (www.ukcrc-ctu.org.uk) lists information of funders, including the MRC, to study 15,000 randomly selected in which human volunteers are deliberately infected with on units with expertise in centrally men and women aged 16 to 74. The survey aims to represent views micro-organisms in order to develop new vaccines. coordinating multicentre clinical trials – and lifestyles from all walks of life across all regions. The age group from the design stage through to final analysis. covered has been extended to include the older population. Designed in the style of an interactive route-map, Users of the website can search for units by the Tool Kit plots the research process from initial name, location, research area or study type. The 2010 survey will be based on the methods used in the previous questions through to the end of the study, particularly The website was developed and funded by surveys to allow comparisons to be made, but will also include focusing on the planning and approvals stages. the NIHR Clinical Research Network anonymised biological data on sexually transmitted infections and sex Coordinating Centre on behalf of the UK hormone levels, and the study of human behaviour. Confidentiality Rachel Smith, who led the project, said: “It’s often Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC). is safeguarded by data encryption and ensuring that no personal difficult to get experimental medicine studies up and identifiers are stored with interview data. Participants will be able to running because of complex, and often unanticipated, Professor Janet Darbyshire, Head of the ‘interview themselves’ in privacy at home by entering answers into a governance issues. This tool kit is designed to clarify MRC Clinical Trials Unit and Joint Director laptop provided by the interviewer, a method that has been shown the process and give researchers the confidence to of the Coordinating Centre, said: “Working to lead to more accurate reporting, especially on sensitive topics. take a risk-based approach by following accepted good with Clinical Trials Units can help to increase practice. Time spent planning can pay dividends later.” the quality of clinical trials which ultimately Professor Anne Johnson, Director of the UCL Division of brings more meaningful results. The UKCRC Population Health, said: “The 1990 and 2000 NATSAL surveys This is the latest of three tool kits produced by the Registered Clinical Trials Units website provides provided a wealth of information on sexual lifestyles, the risk of MRC Regulatory Support Centre. The Clinical Trials Tool an easy route for researchers and funders to tap sexually transmitted infections, as well as the use and preferences Kit guides researchers through requirements for studies into the fantastic experience and expertise that for sexual health services. The data have been widely used to guide testing the safety or efficacy of a medicine, while the these units provide.” policy for sexual health education and services in Britain. We are Data and Tissues Tool Kit helps with the consent and delighted at the award of the funding and hope the 2010 survey confidentiality issues of using personal information and will help improve sexual health promotion and treatment services.” human tissues in research. The new research will help to inform and evaluate interventions MRC researchers and research managers in the NHS and designed to improve sexual health status, including both ill-health universities can also get authoritative answers to specific and sexual wellbeing. It is hoped that the study will improve regulatory questions from the UKCRC Regulatory and understanding of the relationship between physical and sexual Governance Advice Service, which is jointly coordinated health throughout life. by the MRC Regulatory Support Centre. The research team will be based at UCL (University College The Tool Kits and other services can be accessed from London), the National Centre for Social Research and the London the Regulatory Support Centre web pages at: School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine with collaborators from the www.mrc.ac.uk/regulatorysupportcentre Health Protection Agency and University of Manchester joining the team to study new areas. NATSAL 2010 will be jointly funded by the MRC, the Wellcome Trust, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Department of Health. 13 CENTRE PROFILE circumstances of a mother prior to and during process from studying cohort members. By assessing MRC EPIDEMIOLOGY RESOURCE CENTRE pregnancy. The findings led to the hypothesis that the decline in physical function which accompanies poor conditions in utero (such as under-nutrition) ageing and performing detailed physiological studies Ron Farr, 82, is a retired personnel director from Hitchin in Hertfordshire. He is married, cause the developing foetus to make physiological and (such as examining specimens of muscle) we can has three children and enjoys painting. Ron is also a ‘Hertfordshire baby’ – a member of metabolic adaptations that persist into adult life and delineate precisely the mechanism for sarcopenia and the Hertfordshire Study Cohort (HSC), a large group of county residents who are helping predispose him or her to later disease.” aim to develop strategies which improve the physical scientists to understand more about how our early life can affect our health in adulthood capacity of our ageing population.” and the ageing process (see p9). Hertfordshire Study Cohort So how do Ron and the three thousand other Southampton Women’s Survey The HSC is just one of several large-scale clinical appointments. The walls of the building are Hertfordshire babies fit in with this hypothesis While the HSC has shown the importance of epidemiological studies that are run by the lined with stunning black and white photographs of and the unit’s research programmes? To study the development in utero and in early life in determining MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre (ERC) in the Southampton and Indian cohorts. developmental origins of disease you need to study the risk of chronic diseases later in life, the Southampton. Founded in 2003 under the direction a person closely from conception to adulthood. Southampton Women’s Survey (SWS) uses cohorts of Professor Cyrus Cooper, the ERC is a centre of Hertfordshire residents were chosen for the cohort to explore how maternal influences might initiate excellence in epidemiology; addressing the causes Developmental origins of adult disease as their birth details were included in comprehensive developmental adaptations and have long-term and prevention of common chronic disorders such as The ERC started out in 1979 as the MRC midwife and health visitor records kept in the county. consequences for a baby’s health. heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity. The Environmental Epidemiology Unit (EEU), with a remit Measurements taken before, during and after birth unit supports linked research programmes on the to investigate the occupational and environmental could be compared to health assessments made Between 1998 and 2002, around 12,500 non- epidemiology of bone disease; occupation and health; causes of disease within the UK. However, in the mid- by ERC scientists of the ‘babies’ in adulthood; for pregnant Southampton women aged 20-34 were and developmental origins of health and disease in 1980s the unit’s focus shifted to the developmental example medical histories, exercise patterns, strength interviewed about their diet, physical activity, lifestyle India, as well as developing and managing long-term origins of adult disease; looking at how growth and tests, DNA and blood tests. and social circumstances; their body composition cohort studies like the one Ron belongs to. development in foetal life, infancy and childhood can was measured, blood and samples from the cheek influence the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, The HSC data have provided a basis for a wide inside the mouth were taken. Of these women, more Cyrus says: “The work of our unit fits in with key type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis in later life. variety of investigations into the associations between than 3,000 have delivered babies and these babies MRC health priorities such as musculoskeletal early development and clinical outcomes such as are now being monitored as they grow up to find out diseases, life-course studies of ageing, translational Cyrus explains: “For many years we have known osteoporotic fracture. how maternal nutrition affects foetal, neonatal and public health research and clinical medicine.” that birth weight and weight in infancy predict the childhood development. future risk of several chronic disorders including Dr Elaine Dennison, a rheumatologist at the unit, The ERC occupies a purpose-built block on the osteoporosis and heart disease. These observations says; “This unique cohort has allowed us to relate an So what has the SWS revealed so far? Professor campus of Southampton General Hospital and has were initially made in studies such as the HSC and individual’s early life experience, their genetic makeup Hazel Inskip, who runs the survey, says: “The survey around 60 staff, including many scientists who hold have been widely confirmed around the world. Birth and their adult lifestyle to their adult bone health. We has led to a focus on the health and nutrition of weight is a general indicator of the environmental now hope to follow these individuals to see if the young women. A woman’s diet before she becomes factors identified are also associated with their risk pregnant influences the development of the foetus of fracture.” and the child. For example, the mother’s diet before pregnancy is associated with the level of blood flow The HSC is closely linked to the ERC’s bone and to the foetal liver. We also found that lower levels joint programme. Professor Avan Aihie Sayer, an MRC of bone mineral density are found in children born clinical scientist and Honorary Chair in Geriatric to mothers with lower levels of vitamin D during Medicine at the University of Southampton, uses pregnancy. We are now developing interventions to birth cohorts to study the causes, consequences improve diets in women and their families, and to and prevention of sarcopenia (degenerative loss of educate teenagers in schools about their health and, skeletal muscle mass and strength associated with in due course, that of their children.” Above: Ron Farr, Hertfordshire baby, aged six and aged 45. ageing) and frailty in older people. Data from the SWS also support additional studies on She says: “We can learn so much about the ageing depression, placental function and bone development.

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MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre >> CONTINUED

Bone and joint research condition is linked to a characteristic body composition At the same time, increased public awareness of the The ERC has studied the epidemiology of bone disease, called the thin-fat phenotype (low muscle mass potential dangers of workplace hazards, including using specifically osteoporosis, since 1985. Osteoporosis, combined with high percentage body fat), which means mobile phones, could also pose important unrecognised characterised by low bone mass and the breakdown of they are more susceptible to CVD and diabetes. While risks to health. bone tissue, leaves people more vulnerable to fracture and increasing affluence and urbanisation are an important affects 50 per cent of women and 20 per cent of men over part of this phenomenon, we think the problem is Keith, an Honorary Professor of Occupational Medicine the age of 50 in the UK. This in turn places a huge burden exacerbated by under-nutrition in early life, which at the University of Southampton and Consultant on NHS resources, making it a vital area for research. impairs the development of the body’s mechanisms for Occupational Physician, explains: “Evidence is showing maintaining metabolic homeostasis.” us that conditions such as repetitive strain injury and There has already been research into the extent to which lower back pain do not always occur simply through the disease might be linked to environmental influences She adds: “Improving the nutritional status of women over-exposure to a hazardous agent or activity. Rather, before and just after birth. Using data from the SWS, ERC before and during pregnancy, and optimising the the risk of symptoms and disability appears to be researchers have observed that a baby’s ability to accrue growth of the very young child, are as important for importantly modified by individual psychology and by bone mineral is at a peak during intrauterine and early the prevention of cardiovascular disease and type 2 societal beliefs and expectations.” post-natal life. Therefore, environmental changes during diabetes as improving adult lifestyles.” this important period in development may profoundly He adds: “Understanding the contribution of these affect the risk of osteoporosis in later life. The research programme has, until now, been based non-occupational influences is crucial to tackling the mainly on observational studies of large birth cohorts, problem. For example, efforts to prevent back pain Cyrus, who leads the bone and joint programme, says: such as the New Delhi Birth Cohort Study and Pune through restrictions on lifting might have unintended “We’re aiming to gain a greater understanding of Maternal Nutrition Study. However, the emphasis of adverse consequences if they reinforce workers’ interactions between genetic markers for osteoporosis, Caroline and her team’s research is now changing to expectations of injury.” the intrauterine/early post-natal environment and adult interventional studies that will attempt to improve lifestyle as determinants of bone strength, propensity to adult health by improving foetal and childhood nutrition. Both scientists, and their colleagues, contribute widely skeletal trauma and fracture risk. The ultimate goal is to Caroline says: “The first of these is the Mumbai Maternal to the public debate on the risk factors and clinical create a platform of intervention studies in young women Nutrition Project, in which the aim is to increase the diet management of occupational health. David has been that will optimise skeletal health in their offspring.” quality of women living in slums, from before conception involved in investigations into Gulf War illnesses, mobile and throughout pregnancy, and in turn to improve the phone-related issues, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME He adds: “This has led to the planning and funding of long-term health of the offspring. In a rapidly changing and multi-chemical allergies. Keith chairs the Industrial a large randomised control led trial in which mothers society, where there are as many problems arising from Injuries Advisory Council, a government body that insufficient in vitamin D take dietary supplements overweight and obesity as from under-nutrition, other advises ministers on occupational causes of illness and with a view to enhancing the bone development of studies will seek to find ways of enabling adolescent and their compensation. their offspring.” young women to adopt healthy diets in preparation for if and when they become mothers.” Future directions India The ERC has created a formidable body of research Professor Caroline Fall coordinates a programme of Occupation and environment findings in a wide variety of health-related areas. The research involving five study centres in India (Mumbai, Some of the ERC’s research continues within its original unit’s findings and subsequent interventions may one day Pune, New Delhi, Mysore and Vellore). In India, remit to investigate occupational and environmental directly inform and affect the health of ageing populations cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the most causes of disease. This programme of work is being led across the world. Where does Cyrus think the unit will go common cause of early death, and type 2 diabetes has by Professor David Coggon and Professor Keith Palmer. next? “The future evolution of our research programme been predicted to affect 80 million Indians by 2030. will see an emphasis in two directions. Firstly, translation Caroline’s research has shown that factors in early Now that the causes of most of the serious occupational to effect public health interventions before and during life, including poor maternal nutritional status during hazards of our modern world have been identified and pregnancy which improve one’s health status many pregnancy, small new-born size, and poor weight gain in addressed, attention has shifted to non-fatal work-related decades later; secondly, to move towards a more profound infancy, are risk factors for these adult disorders. disorders that give rise to widespread illness and disability understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms and put financial pressure on employers and healthcare for this developmental component of disease risk.” Caroline explains: “South Asians have an increased risk services. Important among these are musculoskeletal of metabolic syndrome (impaired glucose tolerance, disorders of the spine, upper limbs and large joints. Back For more information on the Epidemiology Resource high blood pressure and insulin resistance). This pain alone costs the NHS an estimated £690m each year. Centre, go to www.mrc.soton.ac.uk 17

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

podcast From pregnancy to prostates: Apocalypse How? What’s new on mrc.ac.uk public talks on hormones and disease Scientists from MRC Harwell and Imperial College Following the success of its first public talks series last London recently joined forces to host a café scientifique Latest podcasts year, the MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit in Oxford about pandemic ‘flu. The event was part of a has announced that a second series, Let’s talk about… series of ‘catastrophic’ talks held at Science Oxford on Sir Leszek Borysiewicz: a year at the helm of the MRC hormones and disease, is to run this winter. the theme of ‘Apocalypse How?’ - held to commemorate The MRC Chief Executive reflects on achievements and changes during his first year the popular science centre’s third birthday. leading the MRC. Sir Leszek (pictured left) discusses new working relationships with Let’s talk… is an initiative from the Centre for NIHR and OSCHR, the MRC’s renewed focus on basic Reproductive Biology, a partnership between the Unit The ‘Apocalypse How?’ theme explored issues around research and translation, as well as putting the organisation’s and Edinburgh University’s Division of Reproductive the biggest risks to human life on earth and featured research performance under scrutiny to ensure that funds and Developmental Sciences. a diverse range of talks from cataclysmic cosmic are spent wisely. explosions to volcanic super-eruptions. Professor Alan McNeilly, the Unit’s programme leader Sara Kenyon on the difficult findings of the Oracle Children Study and chair of the organising committee, explained the The MRC event was entitled ‘Atishoo! Atishoo! We all What happens when a research study reveals unexpected results? And how do MRC format: “At each event, a clinician presents a health fall down: Pandemic ‘flu and the end of the human race.’ scientists deal with sharing the results responsibly? MRC Scientist Sarah Kenyon problem for which there is currently only limited MRC Harwell PhD student Sulzhan Bali introduced the discusses what happened when an MRC follow-up study on treating women in management or treatment. This is followed by a talk audience to the structure and abilities of viruses: from premature labour with antibiotics revealed difficult and complicated findings. from one of our scientists who describes how their smallpox to tuberculosis and HIV. Dr Mike Skinner, a research might offer solutions to the problem.” virologist at Imperial College London, then took a tour Annual Review: people talk about experiences of medical research through the history of global influenza epidemics and The MRC’s Annual Review 07-08 tells the stories of MRC research achievements over “The talks are aimed at non-specialists, rather than identified why we should be concerned about possible the last year, featuring profiles of scientists and people who have helped them in their non-scientists, and we were thrilled that people from mutations to H5N1 – the avian ‘flu virus. quest to improve health. One such profile is of ex-journalist David Ward (pictured left), so many different backgrounds came to the first who took part in the National Survey of Health and Development from his birth in series. I’m delighted that we have the support of the 1946. He talks about what it’s been like to have his life studied in intimate detail – from unit and university to run a second series,” he added. records of what he ate for breakfast as a toddler to how his childhood verbal reasoning skills compared with those of his daughter at the same age. 2008/09 Let’s talk about…hormones and disease programme To download these and other MRC podcasts go to: • Pregnancy in the wrong place: causes and diagnosis www.mrc.ac.uk/NewsViewsAndEvents/Podcasts/index.htm of ectopic pregnancy • Who’s in control? How hormones rule our lives You can also read the latest MRC news or subscribe to RSS feeds to receive news from start to finish as it is published at: www.mrc.ac.uk/NewsViewsAndEvents • Things that go p** in the night: how well do you know your prostate? Below: Smallpox virus • Catching the silent killer: understanding ovarian cancer • Born too soon: causes, consequences and dealing Dominic McDonald, Head of Public Programmes at with premature babies. Science Oxford, said: “It was a good evening and it seems that everyone enjoyed themselves. There was a good The talks are taking place between November 2008 variety of questions related to ‘flu and ongoing research; and March 2009. Full details can be found at from where to buy Tamiflu to how the credit crunch may www.crb.ed.ac.uk/letstalk affect the continuation of influenza research? ”

For more information on Science Oxford go to www.scienceoxford.com 18 19 High OBITUARIES MRC PEOPLE MRC scientists containment attend joint Dr Jacob Brown Okoko, 1965 – 2008 Director wins Genetics Society Medal to fight disease Paediatrician Dr Okoko was Principal Investigator on Professor Steve Brown (pictured right), Director of genetics retreat the Meningococcal Vaccine Project at the MRC The the Mammalian Genetics Unit at MRC Harwell, has More than 400 scientists, support staff and A review into the laboratories Gambia field site in Basse. He died suddenly in his been awarded the 2009 Genetics Society Medal students from the Institute of Genetics and at the centre of the national sleep in September during an official visit to Tanzania. for his research contribution in genetics. Molecular Medicine (IGMM) gathered for the defences against deadly and Institute’s first scientific retreat in October. highly contagious diseases has Dr Okoko graduated Steve is internationally recognised for his seminal contributions recommended the creation of a from the University of to mouse and mammalian genetics. He played a leading role in developing high-resolution genetic and physical maps of the mouse In a packed auditorium overlooking national strategy to coordinate Calabar with a degree genome. Most notably, he helped initiate the large-scale mouse Edinburgh’s Murrayfield stadium, staff from the work they carry out. in Medicine and Surgery, and completed his ENU mutagenesis programme at Harwell for the generation of all three of the partners involved – the MRC new disease models. Steve’s own research interests focus on Human Genetics Unit, the University of The independent review, commissioned postgraduate Paediatrics mouse deafness models, through which he has contributed to our Edinburgh Molecular Medicine Centre and by the Health Protection Agency, looked training at Jos University understanding of the genetic bases of hearing loss. the Cancer Research UK-funded Edinburgh at all the facilities in the UK which are Teaching Hospital, Cancer Centre heard 16 presentations capable of working at the highest level Nigeria. He moved to Steve said: “There has been enormous progress in mouse genetics covering every area of human biology from of microbial containment. It was led The Gambia in 1996, over the last decade and Harwell has been at the forefront of these the mechanisms of microRNA processing to by Professor George Griffin, the Vice- heading the Paediatric developments. It is a tremendous pleasure to receive this recognition.” the role of gene variants in psychiatric illness Principal for Research at St George’s, Unit of Bansang Hospital and colon cancer. University of London. until 1998. During his tenure, in collaboration with the MRC and the MRC scientists recognised for excellence in Speakers were chosen from across the The review argues that high containment University of Liverpool, he conducted research into molecular biology broad spectrum of science conducted labs should be maintained and ready for placental malaria which contributed to the World Several MRC scientists join a 59-strong list of leading international within IGMM, from the basic genetics of use at all times and that they must be ready Health Organization’s policy of malaria prophylaxis life scientists elected as members of the European Molecular Biology development and disease through to the to deal with a “surge” in demand in the for pregnant women. Organisation (EMBO) this year, in recognition of their proven excellence implications for improving health. Speakers event of an emergency. in research. EMBO membership is a lifelong honour, and is represented He joined the MRC in 2000 as a research clinician were able to discuss very recent findings, by a high-profile cross-section of researchers from all fields of molecular and each presentation was followed by The Chief Executive of the MRC, Sir with the Pneumococcal Vaccine Project in Bansang life sciences. The MRC scientists elected this year were: Alex Gould, a lively and robust Q&A session which Leszek Borysiewicz, said: “This review and later completed a Masters degree in Public James Briscoe and Brigitta Stockinger of the MRC National Institute organisers hope will spark inter-disciplinary highlights the importance of these facilities Health at the University of Cardiff. A Clinical Research for Medical Research; Sarah Bray of the University of ; collaborations in future. and stresses the need to maintain the Fellowship at King’s College London followed, where Andrew Lumsden of the University of London; Javier Cáceres of the capacity to enable work on important he worked on antioxidants and childhood asthma. MRC Human Genetics Unit; Len Stephens of The Institute; Summing up, Professor Nick Hastie, Director human, or potentially human, pathogens. It and Roger Williams of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology. of MRC HGU and also Director of IGMM, provides a very useful overview of all UK Dr Okoko returned to The Gambia in August 2006 commented: “I don’t believe we could have facilities capable of working at the highest as Principal Investigator of the Meningococcal had a better day. It’s been wonderful. Seeing level of microbial containment and gives Vaccine Project, leading a phase II clinical trial of Honorary OBE for top neuroscientist everybody here has highlighted for me welcome advice. The report emphasises a meningococcal A conjugate vaccine in children Professor Paul Matthews, a Professor of Clinical Neurosciences the importance of bringing everyone from the importance of maintaining these aged 12 to 23 months and later a pivotal phase II/ at Imperial College London, has been awarded an Honorary the institute together in one place, and I’m facilities in the UK to help us sustain the III trial of the vaccine in two to 29 year-olds. Paying OBE for services to science. Professor Matthews is internationally committed to making sure this happens again.” capacity to identify and fight dangerous tribute to her former colleague, Dr Monique renowned for his innovative studies of the functional pathology infections safely.” Berlier of Meningococcal Vaccine Project said that of brain disease. He helped to pioneer development of advanced Dr Okoko’s wisdom, energy, common sense and approaches to brain imaging, and plays a key role in rapid The day was rounded off with a student poster competition which was won by You can see the full report at commitment to community participation made a translation of fundamental biomedical research into improvements Rachel Rigby (MRC HGU) RNase H2 in the www.hpa.org.uk huge contribution to the trial’s success. in healthcare as GlaxoSmithKline’s Vice-President for Imaging and Head of the GSK Imaging Centre. He was the first Director of the Innate Immune Response and Adele Thomas Dr Okoko is survived by his wife Caroline and their MRC-funded Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of (EU MMC) Neuronal NOS knock-out mice three young children, Grace, Elshaddai, and Ebenezer. the Brain within the Department of Clinical Neurology, and holds an have high bone mass and are hyper-responsive MRC Clinical Research Professorship. to oestrogen. 20 21

RESEARCH ROUNDUP

Improved vaccine could wipe out polio in Nigeria Understanding embryo implantation offers insight Researchers at the MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling at into infertility Imperial College London have discovered that a polio vaccine recently MRC and Wellcome Trust-funded researchers have discovered a process introduced in Nigeria protects four times more children than previous that governs embryo implantation in the lining of the womb. The research vaccines. The study’s authors claim that monovalent oral poliovirus vaccine, sheds light on what might go wrong when embryos fail to implant, which known as mOPV1, could eradicate type-1 polio in Nigeria if it reaches is a common cause of infertility. A team from the University of Oxford and enough children. The researchers analysed the vaccination histories of King’s College London studied the process by filming embryos implanting more than 20,000 children with acute flaccid paralysis, 14 per cent of themselves into a layer of cells from the womb lining in a culture dish and whom had polio, between 2001 and 2007. They discovered that with each discovered the involvement of two proteins from the Rho GTPase family. dose of mOPV1 received, a child in Nigeria has a 67 per cent chance of The first protein, Rac1, causes cells in the womb lining to move out of the being protected against type-1 polio, compared with 16 per cent with the way to allow embryo cells to invade, while the second, RhoA, stops this standard trivalent vaccine. Nigeria is one of the last four countries where happening. The researchers believe that the balance of the two proteins is polio has yet to be eliminated and accounts for the majority of global cases critical for successful implantation of the embryo. Professor Helen Mardon this year. Helen Jenkins, one of the study’s authors, said: “In Nigeria, we now of the University of Oxford, who led the study, said: “In many women, have an effective vaccine to use and we’ve seen the start of improvements attachment and implantation doesn’t happen and this is a major cause of in vaccine uptake. These last pockets of unvaccinated children now need infertility. By understanding better how this process works, we may be able to be reached to achieve elimination in Nigeria and this in turn will have a to inform the development of drugs to help embryos implant properly.” dramatic impact on the prospects of worldwide eradication.” PNAS advance online publishing, Monday 29 September 2008 New England Journal of Medicine 2008; 359(16):1666-74

Free bed nets cut malaria infection in The Gambia A new ‘smear test’ to prevent anal cancer The introduction of free insecticide-treated bed nets has led to a significant Scientists at the MRC Cancer Cell Unit in Cambridge have found a new fall in malaria infections in The Gambia since 2003, an MRC-funded study and improved technique to detect anal cancer that could significantly has shown. The study’s findings throw weight behind the proposal that cut deaths from the disease. The study, co-funded with Cancer Research increased investment in malaria interventions in Africa can have a major UK, first involved screening anal tissue samples from patients to pick effect on reducing morbidity and mortality from the disease. Researchers up the biological differences between normal cells and cancer cells. The carried out a retrospective analysis of original records to establish the researchers found that normal tissue lacked mini chromosome maintenance numbers and proportions of malaria deaths, in-patients and blood-slide proteins (MCMs), whereas anal cancerous and pre-cancerous tissue had examinations at one hospital over nine years, and at four health facilities in an abundance of the proteins. An independent group study of anal smears three different administrative regions in The Gambia over seven years. The from 144 people successfully identified 84 per cent of the patients with anal study revealed that between 2003 and 2007, at the four sites with complete pre-cancer, without producing a high rate of false alarms in people without slide examination records, the proportion of people with malaria and disease. Dr Nick Coleman, lead author of the study, said: “Anal cancer is a parasites decreased by between 50 per cent and 82 per cent. At three sites difficult disease to detect and many cases are identified after it becomes with complete admission records, the proportions of malaria admissions fell too late for people to undergo simple surgery to remove it. We wanted to by 27 per cent to 74 per cent. Between 2003 and 2007, the proportions of create a test which was easier to perform and had a high rate of accuracy. malaria-attributed deaths in two hospitals also fell dramatically from seven This study suggests that MCM testing fits the bill very well indeed.” to none in one hospital and from 22 to one in the other. Dr David Conway from MRC Unit in The Gambia, and an author of the study, said: “These Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention 2008; 17:2855–2864 findings should urge leaders to push policies and research to see whether malaria can be eliminated as a public-health problem in some areas.”

Lancet 2008; 372: 1545–54 23

BBSRC Diamond YOUR Feedback OPPORTUNITIES Professorial MRC Network is for anyone who has an interest Research in the work of the MRC, including scientists, doctors and health professionals involved in Fellowships medical research, government departments and parliamentarians, and university staff and The BBSRC is planning to award up to two BBSRC CALLS FOR PROPOSALS AND OTHER Deadline date Panel meeting students. The aim is to provide a quick, easy-to- PANELS Diamond Professorial Research Fellowships (DPRFs), to read summary of activities across the MRC, from be located at the new Research Complex at Harwell. Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Network Grants 14 January 2009 2 and 3 March 2009 research news through to funding, grant schemes and policy issues, with pointers to more in-depth Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Collaborative Grants 12 February 2009 16 and 17 June 2009 The DPRFs are available to outstanding researchers to information on websites and in other publications. encourage the development and application of new BOARD Deadline date Panel meeting techniques in synchrotron radiation to biological research We are very keen to receive feedback on Network and suggestions for new features from Molecular and Cellular Medicine 21 January 2009 1 and 2 July 2009 that falls in the BBSRC remit using the Diamond facility. our readers. So if you have any comments, please Infections and Immunity 28 January 2009 9 and 10 July 2009 let us know. Just email: newsletter@headoffice. For more information go to: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/ mrc.ac.uk fellowships/diamond_professorial_fellowships.pdf FELLOWSHIPS Deadline date Interviews MRC Network is produced by the MRC Career Development Award 16 January 2009 23-24 June 2009 publications team and is available in print and in Clinical Research Training Fellowship (1) 30 January 2009 15-17 July 2009 Research Councils UK downloadable pdf format at: www.mrc.ac.uk STUDENTSHIPS Deadline date Interviews opens India office IMAGES MRC/Scottish Executive Fellowship 27 February 2009 April 2009 Cover: Influenza research © James King-Holmes/SPL MRC/Welsh Assembly Government Fellowship in October saw the opening of a new Research Councils Page 4: 2-cell human embryo © BSIP Estiot/SPL Health Policy Development 27 February 2009 April 2009 UK (RCUK) office in India. The New Delhi office will Page 6: Coloured scanning electron micrograph MRC/Parliamentary Office of Science and encourage research collaboration between the two of a human embryonic stem cell © David Scharf/SPL Technology Fellowship in Medical Research 27 February 2009 April 2009 countries and foster relationships in the international Pages 12-13: Osteoporotic spongy bone © Steve research and business communities. Gschmeissner/SPL Page 15: Coloured x-ray of osteoporosis © SPL Working with Indian funding bodies, the office will Pages 16-17: Smallpox virus © Russell Kightley/SPL share strategies, discuss funding priorities and pursue Pages 19: Steve Brown © Noel Murphy Pages 20-21: Coloured scanning electron micrograph Scientists gain an insight into the media collaborative research. It builds on research projects which of a human embryo © Dr Yorgos Nikas/SPL have already combined the talents of the two countries. Scientists have been getting a behind-the- with BBC news correspondent Nick Highham. She said: For example, a UK collaboration with the Indian Institute scenes glimpse of how the media works “This has been a wonderful insight into the complexities of Technology is developing new ways of using biomass through short placements part-funded by of identifying TV news stories, pitching them to the by growing ‘multi-purpose’ crops for use as food, soap and Medical Research Council the MRC. various news outlets and producing them. Even though even pesticides, before the burning of residues for energy. 20 Park Crescent, London, W1B 1AL findings may be hugely significant, for many complex Tel: 020 7636 5422, Fax: 020 7436 6179 Run by the British Association for the Advancement of reasons good science frequently doesn’t make it to TV. Professor John Beddington, UK Chief Scientific Advisor, www.mrc.ac.uk Science, the Media Fellowships aim to boost awareness said: “The opening of the RCUK Office in India is yet and understanding of the media among scientists and “Representing your main findings and their another demonstration of how the UK is recognising the engineers. Over the three to eight-week placements, implications clearly and without jargon in as little value of global collaboration in tackling future challenges. scientists work with journalists to produce science as two sentences during an interview really is the Working with partners in emerging economies is vital to pieces under real media conditions. The aim is to leave difference between ending up on air or in an editor’s bring about the best possible research outcomes. In this participants better equipped to communicate their dustbin, no matter how good the science is.” time of economic gloom and doom, it is important that research and expertise to the public and their colleagues. we keep sight of the big picture and work together with The closing date for next year’s BA Media Fellowships global partners to achieve solutions.” Dr Angela Hodges, a lecturer at the Institute of is 3 March 2009. For more information, visit Psychiatry, has just completed a 2008 Media Fellowship www.the-ba.net/mediafellows For more information on the RCUK office go to: Cert no. SGS-COC-003156 www.india.rcuk.ac.uk