The three new institutes are Biosciences, Clinical and Translational Research and Population Health Sciences. The aim of these is to increase cross-working between the institutes. This is encouraged by research staff being assigned a research theme, as opposed to the typical research topics found in other research institutions. This allows for a broader range of research to be done and for staff with specific expertise to be accessible when necessary.
It is believed that the change in the way that this research is organised will pave the way for early career researchers, and vastly improve the research-led teaching opportunities available to both postgraduate and undergraduate students. It also will allow for a better working relationship with the NUMed campus in Malaysia.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Professor David Burn, said, when speaking on the opening of the new institutes that:
“ These are exciting times for the Faculty. A huge amount of work has gone on behind the scenes to get us to this point, which we regard as the start of our journey together. The introduction of this structure represents a new chapter for our Faculty, which will enhance our research, teaching and overall multidisciplinary working.”
This change allows for the faculty to build on its fundamental principle of bench to bedside practice. It is aiding in allowing for the important research to reach patients sooner, and for researchers to be able to interact with patients directly.
The research themes cover a wide range, helping vast numbers of people. There have been recent breakthroughs in tackling Type 2 Diabetes and Dementia, which have come from research done at Newcastle University. Research from the university also led to a ground breaking drug to combat ovarian cancer, Rubraca, and is currently being given to patients across the world.
As the medical issues facing the worlds population continue to expand, the requirement for more research to be conducted grows, and this act from the university shows a clear intent to continue research.
