27 May 2010

University begins building MND research institute

The University of Sheffield hosted a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday (21 July 2009) to mark the start of construction of a new state-of-the-art £12 million research institute. Contractor, ISG will begin work on the institute which is set to make Sheffield a world leader for research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), which will be run by staff at the University, will bring together scientists and medical specialists from around the globe who will be dedicated to finding the causes and cure for MND, as well as other degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer, Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Over 5,000 people in the UK suffer from MND. It is an incurable disease which destroys the cells that control movement causing progressive disability. Sufferers may lose their ability to walk, talk, eat and breathe. At present, treatment options for the protection of motor neurones have only a modest effect and more effective therapies are urgently needed.

The building site was officially opened by Professor Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield. He was joined by Professor Pam Shaw, Head of Neuroscience in the University´s School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Matt Leitch, Construction Director at ISG; Patrons of the Sheffield Institute Foundation for Motor Neurone Disease and representatives from the Motor Neurone Disease Association and its South Yorkshire branch .

The site for the Institute is situated in Dorset Street off Glossop Road, behind Loch Fyne restaurant and near the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. The research facility, designed by architects Bond Bryan, will cover 2,800 m² over two floors and will include research labs, offices and a library.

Although the building is two-storey it will appear to be single-storey as it is built into the landscape and entry is gained via the upper floor. A lightweight single-storey pavilion will sit on top of the lower section housing the laboratories. Several major sustainable features have been designed into the building, including a green roof and large overhangs to reduce glare and solar gain.

The Institute has been generously funded by the University and the Sheffield Institute Foundation for Motor Neurone Disease, which was formed by a concerned group of Patrons who wanted to support the development of the Institute. This includes the Duke of Devonshire CBE, who is the Honorary Patron of the Sheffield Institute Foundation.

Professor Keith Burnett said: "I am extremely proud to be inaugurating the building site for the first dedicated MND research facility in Europe. The Institute will put the University and the city at the forefront of research into neurodegenerative diseases. It is a great step forward along the path towards finding a treatment for these distressing conditions. This is a wonderful day for the University and the city of Sheffield and it wouldn´t have been possible without the support and dedication of the patrons."

Professor Pamela Shaw, an international expert in MND and Head of the new research institute, said: "To see building work start on the site for the new SITraN is a dream come true. I have always wanted to do something substantial to increase our understanding of the causes of MND which will in turn enable us to bring improved therapies for patients into the clinic. MND has been a neglected condition in terms of research funding and the creation of SITraN will enable us to correct this problem. The Patrons of the Sheffield Institute Foundation are inspirational and their support and generosity has spurred me on to build a dedicated research institute which will bring together the best clinicians and scientists under one roof. This is a wonderful and exciting step forward for patients with MND and other disorders of the motor system, and I and the teams I work with are delighted to be part of it."

Matt Leitch, Construction Director at ISG, said: "There is a real sense of expectation as we commence the first phase of this project to build a world leading research facility in Sheffield. As a contractor, we are in the privileged position of delivering a building that represents so much hard work, commitment and ambition from everyone involved in bringing this project to fruition. The new SITraN building will not only serve as the focal point for global research into neurodegenerative conditions but also prove to be an architecturally important addition to the local environment."

Irene Beard, a Patron of the Sheffield Institute Foundation for Motor Neurone Disease, said: "There was a need for more scientific research to be done to find the causes and develop treatments for MND and we believe that this new Institute will achieve this and bring huge benefits to patients across the world. It is fantastic to be part of and help raise much needed funds for such a great project. The patrons have all pulled together and worked incredibly hard to raise the money needed to make this institute a reality."

Jason Clark, Bond Bryan´s associate director, said: "The two-storey SITraN building will feature natural materials such as timber and stone as well as utilising a pallet of colours found in nature. The design has been put together in sympathy with its challenging site. It is a Conservation Area and sits amongst residential buildings too, so, following the University´s brief, we have designed a building with a natural softness, not with the cold inorganic design often seen in laboratories."