UK research powerhouse formed

The collaboration, known as UCL Partners, will involve University College London, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Moorfields Eye Hospital, University College London Hospitals and the Royal Free Hampstead.

Supporting more than 3,500 scientists, senior researchers and consultants, the partnership will treat up to 1.5 million patients a year, in addition to undertaking research ventures in conditions such as cancer and heart disease.

The creation of this partnership is a landmark in the history of medical research in the UK.

Malcolm Grant

President and provost

University College London

By bringing together the organisations, the collaboration will include specialists from fields such as paediatrics, biomedical research, ophthalmology and clinical transplants.

Malcolm Grant, president and provost of University College London, commented: "The creation of this partnership is a landmark in the history of medical research in the UK.

"The combined skill, expertise and knowledge of our five organisations promise to deliver to patients the benefits of cutting edge research at its best as quickly as possible.

University College London already undertakes a range of groundbreaking research projects, with recent studies identifying a gene which is linked to obesity and isolating chromosomes which could increase the risk of schizophrenia.