The University of Sheffield has been awarded the Queens Anniversary Prize for innovation in neuroscienceThe prize is the highest national honour that recognises outstanding work by UK universities and colleges that demonstrate quality and innovation in their researchSheffield has been recognised for improving patient outcomes for people living with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsons Disease and Motor Neurone DiseaseNeuroscience research at the University of Sheffield has been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen for delivering real benefits in improving patient outcomes for people living with some of the most devastating neurodegenerative diseases.

The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) based at the University of Sheffield was awarded a Queens Anniversary Prize today (21 November 2019) at St Jamess Palace.

The prize awarded to SITraN is unique in the honours system and only bestowed upon a UK college or university which demonstrates new and innovative approaches to its research and development that have delivered benefits to the public at local, national and global levels.

SITraNs vision is to harness the rapidly emerging, exciting developments in neuroscience to translate into new treatments and improved quality of life for patients with neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinsons Disease, Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Dementia and Alzheimers Disease and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Achievements highlighted by the award include:

a new orthotic device, HeadUp, for patients living with MND who suffer from muscle weakness in their neckground-breaking clinical stem cell clinical trials for MS patientsresearch which has improved the life-expectancy and quality of life for those living with MNDthe discovery of a biomarker linked to the development of Alzheimers Disease for the first time, which has the potential for earlier diagnosis and has sparked the development of new therapiesdrug discovery programmes to develop new treatments for Parkinsons Diseasenew gene therapy experimental medicine studies for MND which are showing promising early resultsProfessor Dame Pamela Shaw, Director of SITraN, said: Receiving this award is a great honour. It gives recognition to our research teams who have made enormous scientific progress in treating some of the most devastating neurological diseases, making a real difference to patients lives.

We hope that this award will inspire confidence for patients and their families, research partners and donors as we continue to make discoveries that deepen the understanding of neurological diseases and open up the potential for new treatments and therapies.

SITraN which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2020 is considered a world-leader in neuroscience research. Its work forms part of the University of Sheffields Neuroscience Institute, which aims to bring academics together from across varied specialties to translate scientific discoveries from the lab into pioneering treatments that will benefit people living with neurodegenerative diseases.

Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: Its wonderful to see the Queens Anniversary Award recognising the University of Sheffield as a centre for excellence in neuroscience research and teaching which has the power to transform peoples lives.

As well as making life-changing discoveries today, SITraN is nurturing the next generation of talented neuroscience students, whose research will lead to pioneering treatments for those living with neurological diseases in the future.

Chair of the Royal Anniversary Trust, Sir Damon Buffini, said: The prizes are granted every two years by the Queen and are the most prestigious national honour awarded to UK universities and colleges for their work.

Entries in the scheme are invited in any subject area and are subjected to rigorous independent assessment in a process managed by the Royal Anniversary Trust. Recommendations for the Queens approval are made on the Prime Ministers advice.

The criteria are demanding and look for outstanding excellence in the chosen field, for innovation and for evidence of real public benefit. Competition is strong and the award is a mark of high quality in education and training which is widely recognised internationally as well as in the UK.

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Royal recognition for neuroscience research at the University of Sheffield - India Education Diary

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