Visitors from an American state hailed for its top quality healthcare will tomorrow (Fri, Sept 3) tour a University of Aberdeen facility which is internationally renowned for its world class medical research.
Representatives from the Houston-Grampian Association (HGA) are visiting the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) as part of a six-day tour of the area. The trip is the latest in a series of exchange visits - which have been taking place in both cities over the last 25 years - which aim to foster links in many areas including business, medicine and education.
Houston is home to one of the best medical communities in the world. The Texas Medical Center - the world’s largest health centre – comprises 14 hospitals, two medical schools, four schools of nursing and 54,000 employees.
The IMS is one of the fastest growing centres for biomedical research in the UK and accommodates 400 clinical researchers and scientists who are working across a range of ground-breaking areas.
Professor of Microbiology, Ian Booth, will host the visit and give information about the work of the IMS. He said: “Our American guests are used to experiencing the very best healthcare. I want them to leave Aberdeen with a clear impression of the high quality of healthcare research which is taking place here.
“For example, our bone research group is regarded as one of the leading centres in the world for the work it is doing to tackle osteoporosis, which affects one third of all women at some point in their life. Diabetes is another area where researchers here at developing alternatives to insulin injection for the treatment of the disease.
“Our bench-to-bedside research is also at the forefront of the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease, cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and many other diseases.”
Professor Booth added: “However it’s not just about showcasing the work we do in clinical, scientific and medical areas. I think it’s important that the University is seen as a key component of the city and the region. Part of our agenda is also to reach out to the community.”
The 32 delegates – which include the former Houston-based UK Consul General – will get a tour around the IMS and they will also meet a number of key researchers and academics.
The local community will be able to find out more about the work being carried out at the IMS at two open nights which will take place shortly. Dates will be announced nearer the time.