Monday, 20 May 2019
It’s the powerhouse of medical research here at the 糖心原创… an engine driving those pioneering, Nottingham-grown ideas that are improving medical treatment for millions of people all over the world… and this week it moves to new premises so it can continue expanding.
The Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU) is part of the School of Medicine and since 2007 has been working to answer research questions that matter to patients, their families and carers, and the NHS in small, medium and large-scale trials based at its offices in the Queen’s Medical Centre. Since 2012 the Unit has received more than £1.5 million in strategic investment from the University and attracted research grants totalling more than £40 million.
The NCTU collaborates with other researchers to design, conduct and analyse high quality randomised clinical trials that address important health questions. The Unit employs specialists with expertise in clinical trial management, statistics, data processing and management, and quality assurance.
PVC Professor John Atherton and NCTU staff
Impact on healthcare
Current large-scale clinical trials being conducted at the Unit include a £2.8m NIHR-funded trial to examine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of testing for group B streptococcus in pregnant women; and the £1.6m FEED1 trial is investigating the potential benefits of earlier introduction of milk feeds for preterm babies.
The opening coincides with International Clinical Trials celebrated by thousands of world-leading researchers in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Now with its ongoing rapid expansion of staff and workload, the NCTU is moving to larger and self-contained premises – the former Manufacturing Engineering Building on University Park. The official opening of the new and larger Unit was marked today Monday 20thMay 2019 with a celebration led by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor John Atherton.
Director of Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, Professor Alan Montgomery, said: “This is an exciting time for clinical trials research in Nottingham. We are absolutely delighted to be in our new office space which will better enable our multidisciplinary team approach to research and allow us to grow to achieve our ambition to double in size within five years. I am grateful to everyone in the School of Medicine, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the University who have helped to make this happen.”
Showcase events this week
The Unit is planning several events to celebrate the expansion and move this week:
- The Fundamentals of Clinical Trials training course is being held at the Orchard Hotel 20-24 May
- The Unit will be open to colleagues and collaborators on 22 May between 3.30 - 5.00pm to visit the new space and see examples of ongoing work.
- A Twilight Seminar from 5.30 to 6.30pm will take place in Room C10, Sustainable Research Building, University Park, when Professors Alan Montgomery and Jim Thornton will present on ‘The role of a Clinical Trials Unit’ and ‘Progesterone in pregnancy; poor science, wishful thinking & academic rivalry versus the evidence.’
Story credits
More information is available from Charlotte Curnow, Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit via email charlotte.curnow@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
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As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.