SITraN:   An exciting new MND Research Institute in Sheffield

Professor Pam Shaw and the MND clinical care and research teams at the Royal Hallamshire Hosptial/University of Sheffield have worked during the last 4 years to create the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN). The vision behind this development is to bring together under one roof scientists and clinicians of the highest quality from around the world to focus on advancing our understanding of the causes of motor neurone disease (MND) and developing new approaches to treatment which will prevent motor neurone injury. The Institute will allow researchers to harness existing new developments in neuroscience and translate these into benefits and improved outcomes for patients with MND.

The new building consists of 2800m² of research laboratories, offices and meeting rooms and is located within the University campus on Dorset Street just across the road from the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. Building work started in the summer of 2009 and will be completed by mid-August 2010. The team is now beginning the exciting phase of ordering the equipment for the state of the art laboratories and of attracting high calibre researchers to come and work with the Sheffield MND research team.

The SITraN development has required funding of £17m which has been raised with tremendous support from the University of Sheffield, the Patrons of the Sheffield Institute Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation and government funding and many people of generous spirit  locally, nationally and internationally. The Duke of Devonshire has given his support as an Honorary Patron and heart warming local support has come from DLA Piper,   Abbeydale Golf and Tennis Clubs and the boys of Birkdale Preparatory School.

For Professor Pam Shaw this is the realisation of the dream of her working life. She states:

 "The creation of SITraN will enable us to double our research capacity and will I believe underpin a step- change in our ability to improve the outlook for people and families facing MND".

"The continuation of the long-standing support of the MND Association for the research programmes of the Sheffield team will be of crucial importance for our future work.   This support has been a major foundation of the SITraN development for which we are hugely appreciative". 

Please do look out for the announcement of the official opening of SITraN later in the year - where the teams which make up the Sheffield Care and Research Centre for Motor Neurone Disorders plan to thank and celebrate all those who have given their support to allow the vision of SITraN to become a reality. 

Article provided by Professor Pam Shaw