MRC head steps down

Medical Research Council chief Colin Blakemore is stepping down at a time when the UK agency is facing major reforms. linkurl:Blakemore;http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/13002/ said that he decided to leave after his current term expires in September, but his decision has nothing to do with the MRC's linkurl:upcoming;http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/24225/ changes -- which include the UK government's decision to reform medical research funding, creating an umbrella structure to oversee both the MRC and research within the National Health Service. For more linkurl:in-depth;http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/52932/ coverage, refer to The Scientist daily news. Editor's note (posted 12 PM EST March 8): This blog has been updated from its original version.