A collaborative inter-disciplinary research project which sees scientists and academics from Computing Science, Information and Mathematical Sciences, IBLS (Institute for Biology and Life Sciences) and the Beatson Cancer Research UK Institute working together has been recognised with a substantial grant award of £940k from the Department of Trade and Industry's Beacon Project.

One of six new awards announced today, 20 November, in London by Lord Sainsbury, the aim of this project is to develop software that will simulate and analyse the chemistry of the body.

Lord Sainsbury commented, ' These projects will develop new and exciting techniques to tackle disease and have the potential to revolutionise the future of healthcare. This work will also capitalise on the excellent science available in this country and will help the UK maintain its global position at the leading edge of bioscience and biotechnology. The awards are an example of how DTI is supporting the development of new technologies that enhance the future competitiveness of UK industry.'

Professor David Gilbert, Professor of Bioinformatics, explained, 'We hope to develop innovative software tools that can faithfully simulate the behaviour of biochemical networks.

These networks are at the focus of current drug discovery efforts in important disease areas including cancer, arteriosclerosis, stroke, heart disease, chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases.'

Walter Kolch of the Beatson Institute continued, 'The tools we plan to develop will facilitate basic research by enabling a deeper understanding of the effects of mutations and applied research by helping to predict drug effects. The resulting software should reduce costs and identify potential side effects at an earlier stage.'

Professor Muffy Calder, Professor of Computing Science, adds 'The project is novel because not only will we use computer software to simulate the behaviour of networks, we will also develop analogies between computer networks and biochemical networks. These analogies will enable us to exploit theories and tools from the design of computer networks, and apply them to biochemical networks.'

These projects are part of the DTI's £25m 'Harnessing Genomics' Programme which was announced in the 'Opportunities for All' White Paper April 2001. The programme aims to help industry take up exciting, revolutionary developments in bioscience.

The projects will run between 3 and 5 years, and DTI will be working closely with project leaders and companies interested in the technologies to ensure that the work remains timely and relevant for industrial application.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Professors Calder, Kolch and van Rijsbergen are available for comment through the Press Office on 0141 330 3535.

First published: 20 November 2002