Celebrating 100 years of medical breakthroughs

The University's first UK centre dedicated to harnessing the genetics revolution for research into mental disorders will open its door to the public (Thursday 20th June) to help celebrate 100 years of life-saving science funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC).

The MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, based in the School of Medicine, leads research into mental disorders and brings together University scientists dedicated to understanding mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; degenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's; and developmental disorders like dyslexia and childhood depression.

To celebrate 100 years of life-saving science, MRC research centres up and down the UK are opening their doors - inviting the public in or bringing their science out to local communities – to showcase their work.

A range of different events, talks, experiments and exhibitions will be held over the next two weeks to tell the hidden story of health improvements through the MRC and to introduce the remarkable scientists who make it all happen.

The MRC Centre will hold a free public event in the University's Julian Hodge Lecture Theatre to celebrate the successes of members over the 23 years since the MRC first funded psychiatric genetics in Cardiff and since the dedicated MRC Centre was established in 2009.

MRC Centre Director, Professor Mike Owen said: "The MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics has made fundamental advances in our understanding of a number of disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ADHD and Alzheimer's disease.

"This public event will give our guests the opportunity to hear talks from our scientists and also about the experiences of some of our research participants."

There will also be a networking reception following the main event, where guests will be able to talk to our research groups about their work, achievements and aims for the future.

More information and to book a place for the event, please visit:www.medicine.cf.ac.uk/event/mrc-centenary-event/