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Research hopes for Medical Research Council (MRC) Multidisciplinary Panel
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The ME community across the UK have constantly challenged the lack of biomedical research funded by the MRC. Over recent years £11m has been spent on research into the psychosocial aspects of ME with only £3m allocated to biomedical research.
A research collaborative chaired by Professor Stephen Holgate, University of Southampton held their first meeting in December 2008 to discuss future research opportunities for ME/CFS. A group of interested parties who have a stake in scientific research will engage scientists and powerful new technology to investigate the physiology of ME patients, and to collect data which will identify separate types of the illness which relate to genetic variations. This indicates a clear emphasis on biomedical scientific research. A second meeting will be held in the near future and a prestigious workshop will be held in the second part of 2009. This research collaborative has the personal support of Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council. This collective of authoritative figures has considerable potential for re-invigorating research into ME/CF. Sir Peter Spencer (Action for ME) and Dr Charles Shepherd (ME Association) attended this first meeting. Further information on the make-up and membership of this panel is available at www.afme.org.uk |