Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine
The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine (German: Lister Institute for Preventive Medicine ) is a British non-profit organization promoting research projects in the biomedical sciences.
It was founded in 1891 as a research institute whose focus , initially on infectious diseases , was later expanded to include other diseases as well as basic biochemical and biophysical research . In addition, the institute was responsible for the development and production of vaccines and antisera .
In the 1970s, there was a realignment of activities to promote science . Since 2002 the funding concept has been based on the award of Lister Institute Research Prize Fellowships in the amount of 200,000 British pounds , which the recipients can use for their research projects within five years.
Former research institute
The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine was founded in 1891 under the name British Institute of Preventive Medicine as a research institute with a microbiological focus. Later it was first in Jenner Institute of Preventive Medicine and in appreciation of Joseph Lister , founder of antiseptic surgery , in Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine renamed. In the early years, the focus was on basic research on the causes, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases such as smallpox , typhoid and diphtheria as well as the development and production of vaccines and antisera . From 1905 the Lister Institute was an institution of the University of London . In the further course of the 20th century, activities were expanded to include cancer research , rheumatic and diet- related diseases, and fundamental topics from biochemistry and biophysics .
Among the most important scientific achievements that have been accomplished by the staff of the Institute during this time, including the initial chemical listed synthesis of ATP and the elucidation of the structure of coenzyme A by James Baddiley , the development of the first effective factor VIII product to Treatment of haemophilia by Ralph Ambrose Kekwick , the elucidation of the life cycle of trypanosomes , the discovery of mycoplasma and the description of its role as a pathogen by Emmy Klieneberger-Nobel as well as the development of a heat-stable vaccine against smallpox . The seat of the research laboratories of the Institute was located in Chelsea , the production facilities in Elstree in the county of Hertfordshire .
Science funding
In the 1970s, due to increasing financial difficulties, the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine was converted into a foundation for the promotion of science . The research laboratories closed in 1975 and the production facilities three years later. The assets of the new foundation arose from the sale of the assets of the two locations.
From 1982 to 2002 the institute's funding activities were based on the award of Senior Research Fellowships , of which 95 were awarded, and on the funding of post-doctoral students . The genetic fingerprinting method developed by Alec John Jeffreys , one of the Institute's first fellows , contributed significantly to the foundation's budget due to licensing income during this time.
In 2002, the funding was switched to the award of Lister Institute Research Prize Fellowships in the amount of 200,000 British pounds , which, after successful application, can be used by the recipients within five years at their own discretion for their research projects. The aim is in particular to support young scientists working at institutions in Great Britain or Ireland .
The funds used for funding come mainly from investment and patent income . According to the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the foundation's invested assets amounted to around 38.5 million British pounds in 2016 , while spending on research funding was around 1.2 million British pounds in the same year.
literature
- Harriette Chick, Margaret Hume, Marjorie MacFarlane: War on Disease: A History of the Lister Institute. A. Deutsch, London 1971, ISBN 0-23-396220-4
- Leslie Harold Collier : The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine: A Concise History. Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bushey Heath 2000
Web links
- The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine Official Website