We’d like to say a big thank you to the Worshipful Company of Glovers, one of the Livery Companies of London, for funding a PCR machine at Imperial College, to support our research programme
PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction, which is a technique in molecular biology used to amplify a single copy or a few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence.
Developed in 1983, PCR is now a common and indispensable technique used in medical research labs.
The Worshipful Company first approached us two years ago when they were looking to establish a fund that might help young people with hand and upper limb disability. We were happy to advise them and our chief executive Sue spent time with them to help set up a pilot programme.
Silicone ‘glove’
This will see Charlotte, a young woman we’ve been supporting who lost her legs, all the fingers from one hand and the tips of the fingers from the other to meningitis, given a silicone ‘glove’, funded by the Worshipful Company. The Glovers will look after care and maintenance too for the next five years.
Because of Sue’s help with this project the Worshipful Company wanted to give us a gift – and that’s where the £2,500 donation towards the PCR machine came about. This has been installed at Imperial College in London, where several of our funded research programmes are underway.
Visit to Imperial College
Last week Professor Paul Langford, Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, and Professor Simon Kroll, Professor of Paediatrics and Molecular Diseases, welcomed Ann Esslemont, Master of the Worshipful Company of Glovers, Alderman Alison Gowman, Past Master, and David Stone, Assistant to the Court of the Worshipful Company of Glovers, to Imperial College London to find out more about the research and meet those carrying it out.
“We’re grateful to the Worshipful Company of Glovers for their generous support and to Professor Kroll for hosting their visit and showing them how this is put to practical use in our work to beat meningitis.
“It’s really valuable when people can see the direct benefits of their contribution in this way.”
Sue Davie, CEO
The Worshipful Company of Glovers traces its history back to medieval times and two years ago celebrated the 375th anniversary of the grant of its Royal Charter by King Charles 1. It maintains close links with the glove industry but is today , like most Livery Companies, a charitable body which aims to make the most impact it can through its charitable funding. Its motto is True Hearts and Warm Hands.
