Dundee University has launched a fundraising campaign to support its research into coronaviruses.
Scientists at the university’s schools of life sciences and medicine are working to develop effective testing and contribute to the global search for a vaccine.
Researchers also hope to get a better understanding of other strains of the virus beyond Covid-19.
The university has already attracted funding from the likes of the Welcome Trust and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation but needs more in order to continue its work.
Professor Inke Nathke, interim Dean at the School of Life Sciences, said: “Covid-19 will not be the last coronavirus the world will face. Our researchers are also bringing Dundee’s expertise in drug discovery to bear on future strains.
“The Covid-19 crisis has shown we need to have drugs proven to be effective against coronaviruses and ready on the shelf if and when future outbreaks occur.
“Donations from the public allow our scientists to be nimble by having the funds to follow emerging concepts and ideas quickly, in the pursuit of a breakthrough in the fight against this novel coronavirus and future viruses.”
Professor James Chalmers, from the School of Medicine, said a new treatment or vaccine was the only “exit strategy” for the pandemic.
“The medical community has never faced a more urgent need for treatment than the unprecedented situation we face today with Covid-19,” he said.
“We’re conducting clinical trials that will help develop a new medicine that hopefully will prevent the main complications of coronavirus and therefore make this a treatable infection.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so on the Dundee University website.
