MRC Centre receives top medical honour

The MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics has been named the recipient of one of the UK's top honours – the Queen's Anniversary Prize 2016.

Supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences, the centre aims to bring together world-leading scientists in the realm of psychiatric genetics and utilises this expertise to tackle the challenges posed by psychiatric, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

Professor Sir Michael Owen received the prestigious accolade on behalf of the MRC Centre and stated: "I am extremely proud of all the staff in the centre for winning this award.

"It is a reflection of the amazing achievements made possible by an excellent team of scientific, technical and administrative staff, which sits at the forefront of mental health research."

He added that together, the team have been able to shed light into some of the darkest areas of mental illness, providing welcome benefits to patients and society as a whole in the process.

Professor Owen was joined by Professor Colin Riordan, also of the MRC Centre, at a gala ceremony at Buckingham Palace when receiving the award.

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