1.   MRC's mission and Chairman's role under the new arrangements

  Following the implementation of the recommendations in the Cooksey Review, clarification would be welcome with regard to the mission of the MRC and the role of its Chairman under the new arrangements.

2.   Basic research, translational research, clinical applications and commercial exploitation: is there a relation?

  Sir David Cooksey has published a report recommending actions aimed at shifting emphasis from basic research (for which the UK can claim excellence) to the translation of Research & Development into health and economic benefits for the UK. However, analysis of the US experience (National Institute of Health) shows little evidence of a direct correlation between investment in basic research and exploitation suggesting that actions aimed at increasing health and economic benefits do not necessarily need to involve changes that affect basic research. It is clearly recognised in the US that basic research is a vital investment for government both for the skilled people and the knowledge it generates. However, innovation strategy for wealth creation is about providing goods and services that add value to what people do, rather than artificially trying to push scientific research into commercial exploitation. It is therefore feared that the basic MRC research capability may be weakened and that no real commercial benefit will be gained as a consequence of the changes being implemented. Further, international experience shows that in the area of healthcare, the conversion of basic research into products is most effectively done by the transfer of the intellectual property know-how etc. arising from basic research to commercial organisations. Hence, it is important not to combine the roles of basic research and commercial exploitation in a research council like the MRC.

  It would be desirable for the Chairman to clarify if and how the new emphasis on translational research will affect basic research and what repercussions are envisaged. Furthermore, Sir John should clarify the extent to which, in his opinion, basic research should be driven by an agenda where wealth creation is the priority.

3.   Role of the Office for the Strategic Coordination of Health Research (OSCHR)

  The Cooksey Review also recommends the creation of an intermediate body (Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research) which will arbitrate on MRC and DH research funding arrangements. It is feared that this will add another level of administration into the process and a further dilution of basic research.

  It would be desirable for the Chairman to clarify the remit of the Office, how this is expected to coordinate the health research agenda, what objectives and timelines have been set.

4.   Co-ordination of MRC policies with those of other agencies to advance biomedical and health research in the UK

  It would be desirable for the Chairman to clarify his role in the oversight of policy papers emerging from professional and academic bodies, and in helping co-ordinate MRC with other agencies. In their report on Systems Biology The Royal Academy of Engineering and the Academy of Medical Sciences have explicitly sought MRC's efforts in joining forces with the BBSRC and the EPSRC aiming at fostering interdisciplinary medical engineering advances.

  In light of the recent emphasis on translational research and return on research investments, it would be worth exploring how well the MRC is working with the other Research Councils (BBSRC and EPSRC in particular) to advance biomedical and health research in the UK.

5.   Translational research and biomedical technologies

  Nowadays, biomedical research and medicine rely significantly on technology and its integration with clinical practice. Biomedical engineers are key players in this area and instrumental in translating application from bench to bed side. However, because of its highly interdisciplinary nature, biomedical engineering is one of the areas that often fall "in between the cracks" and, consequently, its impact has often been underestimated.

  In light of the emphasis that the MRC is placing on translation, it would be desirable to invite Sir John to describe if, how and to what extent biomedical engineering will figure in the MRC health agenda. This issue is tied to 4 and can be discussed in the context of interdisciplinary research and collaboration among Research Councils.

June 2007