Funding the best translational research

Sir Mark Walport

Sir Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust, spoke at this month’s Biomedical Forum at King’s, where he discussed the vision and strategy of the Wellcome Trust in supporting translational research.

Sir Mark highlighted the importance of researchers being able to demonstrate that tax payers’ money is funding research that is attempting to answer important questions. He said there is a clear need to demonstrate value in terms of improved health.

He discussed the aims and objectives of the Wellcome Trust, and what it is trying to achieve through funding translational research. Its three main areas of focus are: supporting outstanding researchers; accelerating the application of research; and exploring medicine in historical and cultural contexts.

Sir Mark went on to talk about the major challenges in translational research, such as understanding the brain and combating infectious diseases, which the Trust invests heavily in, and discussed specific translational projects that the Trust has funded.

Sir Mark concluded: ‘This is a wonderful time to be doing research – there are such fantastic facilities available today. My challenge to you is to demonstrate the importance of translating science into patient benefit.’

Professor Graham Lord, Chair of the Biomedical Forum said: ‘I was delighted to welcome Sir Mark to the forum. He certainly gave an inspiring presentation and made some interesting points that are of great relevance to the work currently being undertaken in the Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre.’