The MRC hosts a series of Showcases to highlight new advances and discoveries that aim to improve health. Each one gives a limited number of scientists, from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, unprecedented access to the latest research being undertaken by MRC units and institutes. At each Showcase, key experts will be giving talks, and poster sessions will reveal the latest thinking on a variety of topics.

We now in the second round of Showcases. The first four Showcases for Neuroscience and Mental Health/Infections and Immunity/Inflammation/ and Oncology were a great success. Thank you to all those attended and those who offered their expertise.

The latest Showcase was from the MRC's Infections & Immunity Board and took place on week of 22nd/23rd September 2008 in Cambridge.

The MRC and MRCT have committed a budget of £3m to set up the Pilot Industry Collaboration Award Scheme to encourage collaborative research between MRC-funded researchers and registered Showcase industry partners.

It is hoped the Showcase programme will highlight new discoveries which will fuel the next generation of healthcare products. Places at the Showcases are limited, to give an opportunity for MRC researchers to work closely with a focused group of scientists from industry.

The next Showcase will be announced in due course.