A RENOWNED research facility in Dundee is celebrating the role played by members of the public who have taken part in studies in the 10 years since then health secretary Nicola Sturgeon officially opened it.
The state-of the-art Clinical Research Centre – Tayside, a partnership between the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside, is opening its doors to the public on Monday, when staff, researchers and patients will speak about their work helping to improve treatments and manage a range of conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart, lung and liver diseases.
Lesley Peebles, co-director of the centre, said: “The past 10 years has seen some major advances in medical science thanks to the work carried out here.
“Thousands of people from across Tayside have taken part in large, important studies, such as the Scottish Family Health Study and the Early Cancer Detection Lung Study, as well as complex clinical trials of new, potentially life-changing medicines and interventional procedures.
That work is only possible thanks to the patients and public who support us, and we are keen for as many people as possible to join us on Monday, so we can highlight the importance they play in our work.”
The anniversary celebration coincides with International Clinical Trials Day, which marks the first “controlled” trial by Scottish physician James Lind, whose 1747 study on a Royal Navy ship led to the identification of a treatment for scurvy.
He took 12 sailors and divided them into six pairs, administering different remedies to each group, and found that vitamin C in oranges and lemons prevented the onset of the condition.
“Clinical trials have come a long way since the days of James Lind, but the ‘controlled trial’ principle remains in much of the work that we do here today,” added Peebles.
“We wish to continue building on the success of the first 10 years and for that we need the continuing support of the people of Tayside.”
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