A new multi-million pound University of Aberdeen facility for research into key diseases was this morning (January 18) officially opened by HRH the Duchess of Rothesay.
Her Royal Highness was due to open the £5.7 million Health Sciences Building earlier this month but was forced to postpone due to illness.
Scientists and staff were delighted to welcome HRH The Duchess of Rothesay to the centre and explain about their research into major diseases and disorders which include osteoporosis; Alzheimer's and dementia; urological cancers; respiratory problems, and sports related injuries.
Her Royal Highness, who is President of the National Osteoporosis Society, was shown many of the amenities, including a new £90,000 bone density scanner bought by local charity, the Grampian Osteoporosis Trust.
Professor David Reid – an international expert in osteoporosis and Director of the University's Osteoporosis Unit - explained how the machine is furthering research into brittle bones and osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis afflicting the UK population.
HRH The Duchess of Rothesay visited the neurosciences area and met local volunteers assisting with ageing research.
She was also shown the Human Physiology Room, where key sports related studies take place, as well as the state-of-the-art Environmental Climate Controlled Chamber, which is aiding research into respiratory problems such as asthma.
Her Royal Highness heard from researchers from the global research initiative Immpact - which is trying to reduce the toll of more than half a million women dying during pregnancy and childbirth in developing countries.
She also met health psychologists and researchers from the University's Health Services Research Unit who are investigating the best methods of healthcare.
Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: "The University of Aberdeen is honoured that Her Royal Highness opened the Health Sciences Building and had the opportunity to meet my most distinguished academic colleagues.
"The new building is a significant addition to our research facilities on the Foresterhill campus, which is now one of Europe's major biomedical centres. It is another step towards completing the high quality facilities needed to support our ambition to become a research-led university of international distinction."
Professor Phil Hannaford is Director of the University's Institute of Applied Health Sciences, many of whose staff are based within the Health Sciences Building. He said: "We are delighted Her Royal Highness took the time to come and open our Health Sciences Building.
"We were pleased to show off our new facility and explain to Her Royal Highness some of the world class research being undertaken in the new building.
"The Health Sciences Building is an excellent research centre which puts the University of Aberdeen at the forefront of health research locally, nationally and internationally."
