[The Cyprus Institute of Neurology]
[Neurosciences]
[Clinical Genetics]
[Electron Microscopy]
[Molecular Virology]
[Biochemical Genetics]
[Cytogenetics]
[Molecular Genetics]
[Computational Intelligence]

The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics was established in 1990, following a generous donation by the United States, through the Cyprus office of UNHCR, in order to serve both the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. The decision to create the Institute was based on the need to develop a dynamic and flexible way of providing specialised services in neurology, genetics and molecular medicine which, in the last few years, are evolving at a rapid pace. The Institute was established in the context of an independent non-profit foundation, the Cyprus Foundation for Muscular Dystrophy Research, so as to ensure its necessary administrative and scientific flexibility and dynamism to confront these illnesses in co-operation with university, government and non-government physicians and other scientists.

The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics was created as the national centre for referrals in the areas of neurology, genetics and molecular medicine.

The goals of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics are the following:

Cypriot scientists and physicians who have an adequate background (such as academic and practical experience) are encouraged to co-operate for the fulfilment of these goals; thus physicians of both public and private sectors of the two communities are invited to join their expertise under the roof of the Institute.

In the years 1990-1994 the Institute was accommodated, temporarily, in laboratory space provided at the Makarios Hospital in Nicosia. In January 1995, all functions of the Institute were moved to its own building which offers easy access to both communities of the island. The building includes five floors measuring approximately 8,000 sqm with specialised laboratories, a patient ward, as well as a unit for acute neurological care, in addition to specialised units for treatment of neuromuscular diseases, neurogenetic illnesses, epilepsy and other difficult neurological cases. The laboratories owned by the Institute are unique in Cyprus and include the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, the Laboratory of Cytogenetics, the Laboratory of Genetic Biochemistry, the Laboratory of Molecular Virology, the Laboratory of Neuropathology, the Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Electron Microscopy, and the Laboratory for the Development of Information Programs. The building also includes an amphitheatre, other conference rooms and a dedicated library.

The governing body of the Institute is the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Foundation for Muscular Dystrophy Research which includes representatives of the Embassy of the United States and the British Bases, the founding association of muscular dystrophy patients and a number of personalities from the local communities. The Chairman is Mr Michael Zambelas and Mr Constantinos Loizides is the Vice-Chairman. The current Members of the Board are Professor Andis Nicolaides (Secretary), Mr Stelios Minas (Treasurer), Mr Rifat Atun, Mr David Bonner, Ms Elsi Christofia, Mr Michalakis Evangelides, Ms Alexandra Galanou, Mr Marios Ioannides, Mr Eliophotos Kakoullis, Dr Lefkos Middleton, Mr Marios Lanitis, Mr Symeon Matsis, Mr Christos Phylactou, Mr Panicos Pouros, Ms Androulla Pitta and Mr Clark Price. The Scientific Council of the Institute consists of members of the senior medical and scientific personnel. The Scientific Council deals with scientific, operational, and related subjects.

An International Advisory Board was established in 1990. Members include international personalities; Lord John Walton, former President of the World Federation of Neurology is the Honorary President of the Board. Professor Byron Kakulas (Perth, Australia), Dr Louis P Rowland (Chairman of the Neurological Institute of New York), Professor Michael Connealy (Distinguished Professor of Genetics at the University of Indiana, USA), Professor Alan D Roses (Chairman of Neurology at Duke University), Professor P K Thomas (University of London), Professor Erik Stalberg (University of Uppsala, Sweden), Professor Michelle Fardeau (Salpetriere, Paris) and Professor Stylianos Antonarakis (University of John Hopkins, Baltimore and the University of Geneva). An Executive Committee is more directly involved in administrative and scientific matters of the Institute such as hiring of senior scientists, advising and evaluating on medical, scientific and research programmes.

The high technology which has been introduced to Cyprus by the Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics in the last four years would have needed many more years to develop on average standards through the government services due to the relative inflexibility in the development of new services as well as for reasons of financing, purchasing of equipment, and hiring of scientists on all scale, using the highest scientific criteria of selection of the Cyprus Institute. The administrative independence and its dynamic flexibility, have proven the necessary elements in its so far rapid development of services and research programs.

The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics is a unique institution in the wider Eastern Mediterranean area. In consequence, the World Health Organisation as well as the services of the European Union and American Research Organisations have shown a great deal of interest in the role this Institute could play in this area. A number of scientists and physicians from neighbouring countries have been trained and are being trained at the Institute, some with WHO Scholarships. Since 1993, many programs have been developed for medical as well as research co-operation with Turkey, Greece and other countries in the area (Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan) as well as Eastern Europe (Slovenia, Bulgaria, Russia). There have also been important research programs developed with European countries and the United States.

With the specialised services that have been introduced and are provided at the Institute, substantial saving is achieved in foreign currencies as they can now be done in Cyprus instead of sending patients or samples abroad. The cost of sending these abroad has been increasing geometrically. It is also worth noting that the Institute has developed in parallel with the most important medical centres abroad.

  Copyright © 1998-2000 The Cyprus Foundation for Muscular Dystrophy Research