Issue 158

Swansea joins international research group

22nd October 2007

Swansea University has become the only Welsh University to join an elite international research group, The Texas - United Kingdom Collaborative, that seeks to transform medical research on an unprecedented scale.

Dr Robert F Curl of Rice University Texas commented that, "the addition of Swansea University's supercomputing capabilities, nano-health research expertise and facilities in the Institute of Life Science are truly an added benefit to the other world class research institutions already participating in the Texas/UK Collaborative."

The Collaborative works with ten universities and medical colleges in Texas and eight of the UK's top universities, harnessing their experience, and by joining it, Swansea is now part of team dedicated to creating international dialogue and research in crucial fields such as the treatment of heart disease and cancer.

By linking up with universities and colleges in Texas, the US's fourth largest recipient of research funding at $1.5 billion per year, Swansea University and the rest of the Collaborative have access to more than 25 million square feet of research space in the world's largest medical centre. There is a further 11 million square feet currently under construction.

Since the Collaborative was founded in 2003, it has brought together some of the world's top scientists and medical experts to collaborate on research in the areas of biomedicine, biotechnology, nanotechnology and ICT. Professor Marc Clement, Director of the Institute of Life Science (ILS), said, "Our expertise in areas such as medical research and nanotechnology, our superb facilities, and our partnership with IBM combine to make Swansea University stand out in the global research environment. We have much to offer."

Professor Clement continued to say, "When we opened the ILS last month, I noted that the vision of the Welsh Assembly Government to establish such an innovative centre of research at Swansea would place the University at the forefront of biomedical research."

ILS is the biggest investment made by the Welsh Assembly Government on a University campus and has already attracted major international commercial organisations such as IBM and Boots plc, confirming Swansea's place at the forefront of innovation. IBM is central to ILS' success. Its' Blue C supercomputer is one of the fastest computers in Europe dedicated to life science research.

The university's Vice Chancellor, Professor Richard B. Davies, said that, " for three years, we have been pursuing ambitious and radical policies to accelerate the development of Swansea as a strong, research led University. Our inclusion in this elite interantional research groups is proof that these policies are working. You cannot be a world-class university on your own. Research is increasingly a global activity. Even the largest Universities in the UK cannot provide the critical mass of staff and facilities to sustain cutting-edge research in many areas of science and technology.

"Our membership of the Texas-UK Collaborative shows that Swansea is addressing this challenge. It is good news for the University, and for those who stand to benefit from the impact of the research on health and well-being.

Joe Dixon