Medical Research Council (uk) Article Index for
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Information About

Medical Research Council (uk)





ORGANISATION

The MRC is one of seven Research Council s and is answerable to, although politically independent from, the Office Of Science And Innovation , which - in turn - is part of the Department Of Trade And Industry .

It is governed by a council of 14 members, which convenes every two months. Daily management is in the hands of the Chief Executive. Members of the council also chair specialist boards on specific areas of research. For specific subjects, the council convenes committees.

The MRC funds research centres, three main institutes (in Cambridge , Mill Hill and Hammersmith ) and 35 smaller units nationwide. Overseas facilities are located in Gambia and Uganda .


HISTORY

The MRC started as the ''Medical Research Committee'' in 1913 , its prime role being the distribution of medical research funds under the terms of the 1911 National Insurance Act. This was a consequence of the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis, which recommended the creation of a permanent medical research body. The mandate was not limited to tuberculosis, however.

In 1920 , it became the Medical Research ''Council'' under Royal Charter . A supplemental Charter would be approved by the Queen at the 17 July 2003 Privy Council.


LANDMARK RESEARCH

Important early work carried out under MRC auspices was:

In all, scientists associated with the MRC have received 22 Nobel Prizes in both Medicine or Physiology and Chemistry.


CEOS

As Chief Executive Officers (originally secretaries) served:


INSTITUTES, CENTRES AND UNITS


Bristol



Cambridge



Edinburgh



Leicester



London




Mill Hill



EXTERNAL LINKS