C-TRACER Announced

Lisbon, 11th January 2007 – The Champalimaud Foundation has established an agreement with the L V Prasad Eye Institute, India, for the creation of the CHAMPALIMAUD-TRANSLATIONAL CENTRE IN EYE RESEARCH (C-TRACER).  This new centre will be situated in the city of Hyderabad, India.

The Champalimaud Foundation and the Prasad Institute agreed on the development of a vast programme of translational research through the establishment of the C-TRACER. The creation of the Champalimaud Centre of Translational Research will lead to the beginning of the Foundation’s scientific activity in two years and allow Portuguese scientists to join one of the World’s foremost research centres. The Prasad Institute is one of the leading centres of translational research in relation to vision and, notably, has utilised stem cells in the treatment of eye diseases. This agreement has established a link between the scientific communities of Portugal, Africa and Asia, and will allow the creation of programmes specific to the Lusophone countries of Africa.

The C-TRACER will focus on the following areas:

- Research and therapy through the utilisation of stem cells in vision related illnesses;

- Translational Research utilising existing and novel clinical methodologies with the objective of furthering the knowledge of vision in such a way that it can be readily applied to the patient;

- Exchange programmes involving scientists chosen by the LVPEI and the Champalimaud Foundation;

- Introduction of programmes of “capacity building” aimed at developing Lusophone countries such as Mozambique, Angola, Timor and others.

The Champalimaud Centre of Translational Research will contain a large number of scientists and clinicians, led by Prof. D Balasubramanian, and it will occupy an area of 200 square metres.

With the creation of the C-TRACER the Champalimaud Foundation is making a significant contribution to the prevention and eradication of vision related disease and illness in Portugal, in the countries of the Portuguese language, in India and in the World. Moreover, this will provide unique training and experience for talented Portuguese scientists. 

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