The new centre contains a large animal hospital theatre operating to NHS Standards.

Translational medicine centre will operate under the One Health concept

A £6.2 million research centre that will benefit humans, animals and the environment has opened at the University of Bristol.


The Translational Biomedical Research Centre (TBRC) contains a large animal hospital theatre, operating to NHS standards, and state-of-the-art scanners. 


The centre also contains a long-term store for cells and tissues, collected post-mortem, that can be shared nationally to biomedical students. This will reduce the future need for animal tissue samples.  


TBRC will operate under the One Health concept that recognises the health of humans is connected to the health of animals and the environment. As many humans suffer the same health problems as animals, work at the centre could also benefit the lives of many animals.


"The new centre is a key part of the University's research strategy to fast track the translation of fundamental discoveries to the bedside,” explains Professor John Iredale, pro vice-chancellor for health at the University of Bristol.


“TBRC will work together with other centres in the UK and EU to drive the developments of new treatments. The animals and the centre will benefit from the University's extensive veterinary expertise and the state-of-the-art hospital.

"This is an important development in the University's vision for a research culture that feeds directly and quickly into real and lasting benefits for the health and welfare of both humans and animals."

Professor Raimondo Ascione, director of TBRC and professor of cardiac surgery and translational research, adds: "The new research centre will bridge a gap in the UK research system between basic scientists, the NHS, and the biomedical industry.


“It will allow a new medical device to be delivered by expert vets and NHS doctors on a single animal at clinical standards and to be tracked, non-invasively, over time, just as we do in NHS patients, using sophisticated scanning techniques.

“With the on-site veterinary and animal welfare expertise, we can be sure that the animals are treated with the same care and sensitivity as human patients."

The TBRC is funded by the University of Bristol, the Medical Research Council (MRC), and the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

It was officially opened by the MRC chief scientific officer, Dr Declan Mulkeen and by the BHF Medical Director, Professor Peter Weissberg, on Thursday (9 June).