Representatives of UKCMRI attended a public meeting of about 50
people on 4 October organised by St Pancras and Somers Town
Planning Action group.
UKCMRI described to attendees the work to be undertaken by the
institute and the numerous ways in which the building design has
evolved taking account of feedback from local residents.
Interim Chief Executive of UKCMRI, John Cooper, explained that
the institute's research will focus on finding the underlying
causes of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other significant
diseases that affect people. He confirmed that research into
influenza would form a small part of the institute's work. This has
been carried out in complete safety at the National Institute for
Medical Research's Mill Hill laboratories for 60 years and
discoveries made there help in the development of today's annual
'flu vaccine.
He reassured the audience that there were no plans to research
more serious diseases, such as Ebola or Smallpox, which UKCMRI's
founding institutes 'do not and will not' study.
The new institute's proximity to the extensive range of
scientific and medical institutions already in Camden will enable
scientists to work together closely to turn discoveries into cures,
vaccines and drugs for major diseases. The NHS and its patients
will benefit from these for many years.
John Cooper said: "Two of the main causes of death in Somers
Town are cancer and heart disease. The fact that we will be working
with hospitals which are directly treating people in this area
means they will be able to benefit at an early stage from our
work."
UKCMRI will bring employment and training opportunities to the
area during the construction phase which is scheduled to start in
spring 2011 if planning permission is granted by the end of this
year. Further opportunities will be available when the institute
opens.
- The planning documents were submitted to the Council on 1
September and the application is now in the formal public
consultation period.
- The planning application is available on Camden
Council's website.
- Visit UKCMRI's on-site exhibition to find out more about the
project.