Although research in the Institute is not overtly thematically based there are particular strengths in the following areas.
A major strength of the Biomedical Research Institute is the study of the role of genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of cancer. Multiple disciplines from biochemistry to clinical oncology, including cell signalling, cell cycle control, apoptosis, stress responses and gene transcription, work in concert to dissect the molecular and cellular biology of cancer development.
The University of Dundee is internationally acclaimed for its research into the cevelopment, progression and care of Diabetes Mellitus and associated conditions. Research in the BRI includes several of the key programmes that underpin the Dundee Diabetes Research Centre. The main goals of the grouping are to translate key molecular findings to improvements in patient treatment and to use clinical knowledge of disease to inform and develop the molecular research focus.
An important aspect to treatment of disease is the study of the factors which dictate the efficacy and safety of current and novel drugs. Within the Biomedical Research Institute, there are research programmes designed to understand the mechanisms of drug metabolism, excretion and prediction of off target actions. These programmes are closely aligned with the ongoing research in the Institute to develop novel treatments and improve the use of current drugs.
The Gut Research Group is committed to translational research in diseases of the liver and intestines. Particular interests are in tissue stress responses involved in the pathogenesis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and of Barrett's Oesophagus, with the aim of discovering new diagnostic markers and developing pathogenic insights.
Pharmacogenetic studies at the Biomedical Research Institute range from the molecular through to population pharmacogenomics. Current focus includes the understanding of genetic influence to drug response and to adverse effects of common drugs. A state-of-the-art Centre for Population Genetics and Pharmacogenomics is currently being built within the Biomedical Research Institute, which will allow the further application of these technologies to many diseases.
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