Health

05 May 10

Professor Lars Fugger is one of the Oxford University researchers to have been elected as Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences

Four Oxford University researchers have been elected as Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences. The new Fellows are Professor Lars Fugger, Professor Antony Galione, Professor Ian Hickson and Professor Patrik Rorsman.

They are among 40 leading medical researchers that have been elected as Academy Fellows this year. The distinction recognises their outstanding contributions to the advancement of medical science, innovative application of scientific knowledge and conspicuous service to healthcare.

Professor Alastair Buchan, head of the medical sciences division at the University of Oxford, said: 'I am delighted that the work of these oustanding researchers has been recognised in this way by the Academy of Medical Sciences. Their excellent work could lead to significant advances in healthcare in the future.'

The Academy of Medical Sciences is an independent organisation that promotes advances in medical science and campaigns to ensure these are translated into benefits for patients. The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on Tuesday 22 June 2010.

Professor Sir John Bell, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences said, ‘Our new Fellows illustrate the wealth of experience and diversity of talent amongst the UK’s research community. I look forward to working with these skilled scientists to ensure their strengths across academia and industry are used to promote basic science discoveries, innovative healthcare and the rapid translation of research into patient benefits.’

Lars Fugger is a professor of neuroimmunology in the Department of Clinical Neurology at the University of Oxford. His research investigates the causes of multiple sclerosis. Genetic and environmental factors play a role in the disease, and Professor Fugger’s group is interested in understanding the molecular basis for these associations. The researchers’ goal is to use the knowledge from these studies to develop new drugs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Professor Antony Galione is head of Oxford’s Department of Pharmacology. His work has been instrumental in elucidating new calcium signalling pathways in the cell. Calcium signalling plays a vital role in the body, coordinating and controlling processes as diverse as heart contraction, nerve growth, control of appetite, regulation of the immune system and insulin secretion by the pancreas. Professor Galione’s discoveries have implications for our understanding of cell regulation in health and disease.

Professor Ian Hickson is Deputy Director of the Cancer Research UK Oxford Cancer Centre in the Department of Medical Oncology. His research focuses on genetic changes in cancer cells that are important in driving the growth of tumours. Armed with this knowledge, his team aim to develop new therapies to prevent or cure certain types of cancer.

Patrik Rorsman is professor of diabetic medicine in the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism at Oxford University. Professor Rorsman has been at the forefront of research on hormone-secreting cells in the pancreas for more than 20 years. The work is highly relevant to the understanding of the causes and treatment of type 2 diabetes.