New London based centre for clinical genetic research

Imperial College London is to take the lead in the creation of a new London based centre for clinical genetic research with a consortium of leading scientific research institutions.

The London Genetics Centre will provide access to knowledge and expertise in clinical genetics across London's biomedical institutions, and help position London as the leading European centre for genetic medicine.

The research in the centre will focus on the genetics underlying five key clinical areas, including cardiovascular disease, mental health, respiratory disease, endocrine and autoimmune disease and oncology.

The centre aims to improve interaction between academia, NHS and industry, by improving access to clinical trials for patients, developing the infrastructure needed for clinical trials, improving the analysis of routinely collected data, and setting up fully integrated clinical trials from 'bench to bedside'.

Professor Stephen Smith, Principal of the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London, said: "There is currently a huge amount of genetics expertise in the many world class biomedical research institutions across London, and this new centre will help bring it all together. It will ultimately improve collaboration between biomedical research institutions, and we also hope to improve links between the NHS and pharmaceutical industry for the benefit of patients."

The new centre will offer a range of services including the collection and analysis of biological samples and data from patients in clinical trials, developing the use of genetic and genomic technologies and data into clinical trials, and gaining sponsorship for clinical genetics projects from pharmaceutical companies.

The London Development Agency has contributed £2 million for establishment of the London Genetics Centre whose members will include Imperial College London, University College London, Kings College London, St George's, University of London, Queen Mary University of London, the Institute of Cancer Research and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

The centre is currently recruiting a Chief Executive to lead and manage its interactions with industry, academia and the NHS.