Resonance Imaging in studying metabolism . The first clinical hyperpolariser in Europe was installed at Cambridge University Hospitals , where it is currently being used in phase 1 trials to detect tumour treatment response .
Clinical trial advancement
An R & D Office is responsible for all clinical trials taking place at Cambridge University Hospitals . In addition to the main hospital wards , clinical trials are undertaken in a purpose-built clinical research centre located in Addenbrooke ’ s Hospital , which has recently undergone a 4000m 2 extension .
“ Our dedicated team of clinical trial managers provides a one-stop-shop service for companies wishing to undertake studies at Cambridge University Hospitals . This significantly reduces the time and effort required by industry sponsors as we handle everything from one office – costings , contracts , administration , and ethical approvals ,” said Stephen Kelleher , Research and Development Manager , Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust .
Scientists on the campus also have access to a wide range of ethically obtained , well-characterised tissue and other samples including The Cambridge BioResource ( see DNA Bank panel , right ).
Clinical and research excellence is growing at pace , along with leading edge translation and commercial activity
Driving success Clinical and research excellence is growing at pace , along with leading edge translation and commercial activity . The project continues to evolve , and following the rapid pace of development a second phase has now been approved for a further 75,000 m 2 ( 800,000 sq ft ). The first building on this phase is under construction for Abcam plc , whose monoclonal antibody technology was first developed in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology . An innovative approach and patience has been required to push through development projects such as Papworth Hospital ’ s relocation to the site , against strong political lobbying , and the commitment of the Creative Places team , over many years , helped drive this project to success .
Jonathan Burroughs , CEO , said : “ Our success is down to a lot of hard work , both from our side and the wider development and stakeholder team . Working together collaboratively has helped to make Cambridge Biomedical Campus a world leading location for academic , clinical and business excellence in healthcare advancement .”
CBC now comprises a resource rich campus where investment over many years has enabled research programmes across a wide spectrum to come together . This includes the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre , the Cancer Cell Library , the MRC Biostatistics Unit ( Cambridge ), and the Cambridge Translational Genomics Laboratory . Physical infrastructure connections including the Cambridge Guided Busway connect the campus into the wider Cambridge cluster , and further investment is planned through the Cambridge City Deal , where up to £ 500m is expected to be invested in transport infrastructure across the city . ■
More information is available about Creative Places at : creativeplaces . com
DNA Bank
The Cambridge BioResource is a panel of around 16,000 volunteers , both with and without health conditions , who are happy to participate in research studies investigating the links between genes , the environment , health and disease . Volunteers who join the Cambridge BioResource donate their DNA via a blood or saliva sample , which is used together with other information , such as gender and ethnicity , to match them to specific research studies . Volunteers are free to choose which studies they would like to take part in , allowing the CBR to provide researchers with groups of participants tailor-made to the research study .
Read online at : ukspa . org . uk / breakthrough summer 2017 | UKSPA BREAKTHROUGH | 49