Sheffield Expands Neuroscience Research Center

Project aims to double capacity for studying debilitating neurological diseases.

An ambitious £24 million expansion is underway at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), a leading research hub at the University of Sheffield. The project seeks to significantly enhance the facility’s capacity to study and combat neurological diseases.

Bricklaying Ceremony Marks Milestone

A symbolic bricklaying ceremony on Wednesday officially launched the construction. According to the university, the expansion will effectively double SITraN’s research capabilities, enabling deeper investigations into conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

The Director of SITraN, Dame Prof Pamela Shaw, emphasized the upgrade’s importance in accelerating progress toward “ultimate goal of finding transformative breakthroughs that are making curative therapies a reality in our lifetimes”.

Vision Realized

Prof Shaw recounted the genesis of SITraN, recalling a conversation over two decades ago with an MND patient. “Over 20 years ago a lady with MND asked me what I would do with £20m of funding for MND research. I didn’t think it was a serious question, but I described SITraN – a dedicated facility to bring together scientists, doctors and patients from all over the world under one roof with a shared ambition to improve the lives of people living with neurodegenerative diseases.”

Since its establishment in 2010, SITraN’s research team has grown from 64 to over 300, demonstrating the need for expanded facilities. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that neurological disorders affect hundreds of millions of people, representing 12% of total deaths worldwide (WHO, 2023).

Honoring Legacies

The new building will be located next to the existing SITraN facility, near the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. Representatives from The Ian Pratt MND Foundation and the Mel Evans Foundation were present at the bricklaying ceremony. Family and friends of Tim Shone and Gemma Middleton, both of whom succumbed to MND, also attended the event.

A university spokesperson acknowledged that the project’s realization hinged on “the unwavering generosity of a number of dedicated families whose lives have been forever changed by the cruelty of MND”.

Gemma’s father, Nigel, stated, “Gemma believed in Sheffield’s research, she did everything she could to help SITraN’s researchers to find a cure for MND. We have an amazing team who continue to raise funds in Gemma’s memory and we know that research into new treatments, and ultimately a cure, is the only way we can end the pain MND causes to families like ours.”

Community Support

Fundraising efforts, including a charity walk last month, have already generated significant contributions towards the new building. Over 400 individuals, including staff, students, and university supporters, participated in the walk through the Peak District, raising more than £100,000.