A GRANT of half-a-million pounds has been awarded to the University of York to continue vital research into diseases and disorders such as diabetes.

The £500,000 grant from the Wellcome Trust’s Institutional Strategic Support Fund has been matched by funds from the university itself and will allow the creation of a new “virtual centre” to coordinate research into long-term disorders.

The research, which takes place across the university, will be co-ordinated at the new Centre For Chronic Diseases And Disorders.

The university’s pro-vice-chancellor for research, Prof John Local, said: “This exciting new centre will further our vision to make a real impact on important areas of bio-medical and health research. We are determined to make a significant and tangible contribution to a global reduction in the burden imposed by chronic diseases and disorders.”

Prof Paul Kaye, acting director of the centre, said: “The success of the centre will be measured by how well it enables researchers from across these exciting and richly diverse areas of research to share and extend their expertise for maximum benefit.”

The university already conducts research into public health, ranging from the development of new vaccines and drugs against infectious diseases through to the development of health care for diabetes, deafness and mental health disorders, work on social policy and welfare, and research in the medical humanities.

The grant will see the appointment of a new director to lead the centre, as well as staff with the specialised skills to increase the university’s capacity to undertake research on the interactions between genetics, environment and health.