RESEARCH INTO heart disease at Dundee University has been given a major boost with the donation of £2.1 million from Perthshire multi-millionaire businessman Brian Souter to purchase and operate an MRI scanner.

The gift has been made to the university’s Institute of Cardiovascular Research (TICR) at Ninewells Hospital, through the charity Chest Heart and Stroke, Scotland.

Professor Jill Belch, head of the institute, explained, “This is a magnificent philanthropic gesture from Mr Souter and one which will have a significant impact on the work we can do here.

“An MRI scanner is something which will allow us to broaden our research into new areas and will help us prevent heart disease, rather than merely treat it.”

Stagecoach co-owner Brian Souter commented, “Heart disease is the number one killer in Scotland and I hope that the MRI scanner and the research it will carry out will help to decrease the number of people affected by this killer disease.

“I am also pleased that the scanner will be available to the NHS to help reduce waiting times.”

David Clark, CEO Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, pointed out, “Scotland has made real progress in reducing death from heart disease and improving treatment, however we have been less successful in preventing heart disease from occurring.

“This donation from Mr Souter, mediated through Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, will help reduce the incidence of this major killer over decades to come.”

TICR chairman Shobna Vasishta said, “I am aware that Mr Souter has been working behind the scenes to increase Scotland’s awareness of its health problems and to provide ways to assist the reduction of Scotland’s high incidence of cardiovascular disease.

“With his help, researchers at Ninewells can make a positive contribution in combating Scottish heart disease.”

The scanner, based at the new Clinical Research Centre at Ninewells, will be used to detect early heart and lung disease, and anyone based in Tayside and north Fife over the age of 40 without known heart disease can volunteer to take part in the scanning study, which begins this summer/autumn.

Those wishing details can phone 01382 633963, and leave their details.

TICR brings together specialists in vascular biology, cardiac disease, nutrition, epidemiology and fundamental laboratory science to enable detection and intervention of heart-related diseases at an earlier stage.

Two other key TICR members are Professor Allan Struthers, an expert on heart failure, and Professor Frank Sullivan who leads research in primary care in Tayside and north Fife.

The charitable campaign to fund the institute has raised over £4.5 million, which has helped build new laboratories, established new chairs in cardiology and vascular surgery, and brought new research staff to Dundee.