University of Warwick academics give their reaction to Facebook's founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan's pledge of $3bn (£2.3bn) to fund medical research over the next decade. At a press conference in San Francisco, the couple said their ultimate goal was to "cure, prevent or manage all diseases by the end of the century".

"In my view, the idea behind investing in significant long-term funding for ambitious blue sky, basic science is applaudable. Currently, little funding is available for this kind of high-risk-high-gain projects. Especially funding cost-intensive cutting edge research of inter-disciplinary teams scientists and engineers has proven to be highly effective to revolutionise medicine. This probably will not cure all disease within the live time of our children as the headlines suggest, but shall help to realise this for some diseases and make great strides towards preventing and manage the other disease."

Dr Robert Dallmann, Assistant Professor, Translational Medicine, Warwick Medical School

"Truly fantastic to have young eyes, young hearts and such energy instigating this impressive Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Sharing knowledge through connecting scientists and building stronger communities is key to the prevention, cure and management of ‘living with and beyond’ diseases such as cancer."

Professor Annie Young, Warwick Medical School

 

For further details please contact Nicola Jones, Media Relations Manager, University of Warwick 07920531221 or N.Jones.1@warwick.ac.uk