On Thursday 23 June we were delighted to welcome guests to our first engagement event for patients affected by Hepatitis C virus.  The event, hosted in our facilities at the Sir Michael Stoker Building, was funded by the Medical Research Council as part of the Festival of Medical Research.  We also received vital support from Hepatitis Scotland, the Scottish Drugs Forum and Waverley Care. 

Work at the CVR within the Hepatitis C team focuses on three key topics:

• How Hep C differs between people who are infected with the virus

• How the body tries to control Hep C infection

• Developing a vaccine against Hep C to protect people who are not infected

Our team of researchers worked hard to create a unique and engaging opportunity for patients, which offered an exclusive insight into the work that we do here at our state-of-the-art facilities in Glasgow.  To do this, we took patients on the journey of a donated blood sample and described the different ways it could be used across our Hep C research programmes.  It was an opportunity for participants to learn about current research and about the milestones and discoveries that have led to breakthrough treatments, as well as future goals. 

35 patients attended the two half day sessions, which comprised a mix of networking, an exclusive lab tour, and breakout sessions focussing on two key topics - 'Resistance and Treatment' and 'Host & Disease'.  Participants used the day as an opportunity to ask questions and learn about the vital work being carried out in Hep C research here in Scotland.