Enhancing clinical research infrastructure at University College London and its associated NHS Trusts: Building Grant. (360G-Wellcome-079400_Z_06_Z)

This proposal seeks funding for a unified Clinical Research Infrastructure at University College London (UCL) and its associated NHS Trusts. The key objective of the proposal is to help bridge the increasing gap between the successes of basic science and their translation into innovations that directly benefit patients. Establishing appropriate facilities within UCL will link the excellent and innovative UCL science base with the unique and diverse patient populations and clinical expertise in its associated NHS Trusts, thereby supporting and encouraging patient centred research. A second key objective will be the education and training of a cadre of clinical staff in clinical research and experimental medicine. The major research themes that will benefit from the development of a CRF include Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Obesity and Diabetes, Infection and Immunity, Stroke and Brain Sciences, Stem Cell research, Genetics and Children with a focus on studies of first molecules into man and gene therapy. These themes also reflect the priorities of both government and major funding bodies.Studies in the field of cancer proposed include the assessment of novel anti-cancer agents that make use of the emerging understanding of the role of DNA damage/repair and the hosting of large ovarian cancer screening studies which will be based in the new CRF. Cardiovascular research requires dedicated space to investigate new molecules being used in man for the first time and studies of cardiac and vascular function in healthy volunteers and patients, pharmacology, and gene therapy will be undertaken with a focus on preventing coronary artery disease and improving heart function. A program of neuroscience research with a focus on pharmacogenetics, headache and restorative neurology would make use of a CRF as the great strides in basic research in these areas now needs translation into humans. Gene therapy in children is increasingly being used with many research questions being raised which is one of the areas of focus, together with pain and nutrition, for a CRF dedicated to research in children. Preventing ocular scarring and phenotyping/genotyping studies in preparation for, and performing gene and stem cell therapies for eye disease is the major focus of eye related research proposed We have designed a single Clinical Research Facility (CRF) structure across UCL to facilitate cross cutting research and link similar research themes that are currently defined and investigated along age or organ specific paths while acknowledging the importance of establishing physical research facilities that are close to the relevant patient populations. The proposal enclosed comprises of three linked units; a generic facility based at UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) linked to two specialist units, one at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust (GOSH) and the other based at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (MEH). The UCLH facility will be situated within the new Ambulatory Care Centre co-located with high quality imaging and interventional radiology facilities It will offer specific opportunities for cardiovascular, cancer and neuroscience studies and a direct link to the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). The two specialist units take advantage of the postgraduate institutes, the Institute of Child Health (ICH) and the Institute of Ophthalmology (IoO) that combine basic science and translational research co-located with the relevant specialist hospitals and will be established in refurbished clinical accommodation. The units have been designed with maximum flexibility in mind so as to be able to host outpatient style consulting rooms or ward style occupation that would be suitable for overnight studies. The UCL CRF will have a Director overseeing shared governance, IT and management systems using common Standard Operating Procedures. A Scientific Advisory Committee will oversee applications for studies to be performed in the CRF and will thus provide a single entry point at UCL for external organisations wishing to establish partnerships in clinical research and encourage collaborations across the campus, the associated Trusts and the relocated National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). It will maximise the use of clinical material from associated hospitals, stimulate new patient-based research by breaking down perceived barriers to such research, serve as a major education and training resource for experimental medicine and facilitate industry supported research across the patient database.