Institute of Genetics and Cancer

News 2017

An archive of IGMM News from 2017

Personality trait shares genetic link with depression

complex traits, statistical genetics, prediction
People affected by depression may have genes associated with anxiety, worry and low mood, a study suggests: December 2017

NIMR Mental Health Research Framework published

NIMR Mental Health Research Framework news 2017
Professor David Porteous talks about the newly published NIMR Mental Health Research Framework and what it means for research and public health: December 2017

Steroid study sheds light on long term side effects of medicines

W.Bickmore_steroid_study
The study in immune cells may help to explain why some people develop resistance to these drugs, which have powerful anti-inflammatory benefits: December 2017

Cancer immune evasion research on the cover of Science Signaling

Cancer imaging
The Cancer Biology group at the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre has just published new research that sheds light on how tumours evade the immune system. Their research article was selected as the cover story of the December 5 issue of the journal Science Signaling: December 2017

Applications are open for multi-disciplinary PhD programme at the MRC Human Genetics Unit

Applications are open for multi-disciplinary PhD programme at the MRC Human Genetics Unit
Outstanding candidates are being invited to join an MRC funded 4-year multi-disciplinary PhD programme in Human Genetics, Genomics and Disease at the MRC Human Genetics Unit (HGU), within the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (IGMM) at the University of Edinburgh: December 2017

The 2018 ESRIC Interdisciplinary Consortium Meeting at the IGMM

ESRIC Interdisciplinary Consortium
The annual Edinburgh Super-Resolution Imaging Consortium (ESRIC) Symposium Meeting promotes interdisciplinary research in advanced and super-resolution optical imaging and its application to biomedical science: December 2017

The Edinburgh Super-Resolution Imaging Consortium (ESRIC) scoops Times Higher Education Award

ESRIC 12.2017
The winners of the 2017 Times Higher Education Award (THE Awards) were announced on Thursday 30 November 2017 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London: December 2017

Professor Malcolm Dunlop receives Scottish Cancer Foundation Prize

Malcolm Dunlop holding the Evans Forrest Medal
Professor Dunlop was awarded the £10,000 prize in recognition of his efforts as bowel cancer researcher and surgeon: November 2017

The “dark side” of autophagy in cancer

Simon Wilkinson
A new study by Dr Simon Wilkinson's research group shows that tumour cells hijack the cell's protein recycling mechanism to get rid of cancer suppressor protein TRAF3. November 2017

Debate - Genome Screening: A Pandora’s Box

The flyer advertising the genome debate
Four speakers, including Professor Tim Aitman, Director of CGEM, debated the motion that the UK should have whole genome sequencing. November 2017

Diabetes and Stem Cells short film premiere

The discussion panel members
The short film was premiered, followed by a Q&A sessions with panellists including Professor Wendy Bickmore and Dr Mairead Bermingham. November 2017

Feature: Amelia Hallas-Potts on the importance of interdisciplinarity

Amelia and the InterSci Logo
By doing an interdisciplinary PhD and organising InterSci, Amelia is viewing her science through many lenses. Réka Nagy zooms in on her in this feature. November 2017

Academic promotions at the IGMM

Prof Hayward, Dr Myant and Dr Kudla
Three IGMM researchers have received promotions from the University in recognition of their work: August 2017

Cancer Centre PhD student wins fluorescence imaging prize

Fluorescence image and Frederick receiving the prize
Frederic Li Mow Chee was awarded the prize for best fluorescence imaging at the Imaging PhD Expo: October 2017

Melanoma research featured in fashion magazines

Researchers holding People magazine with the advert showing
Five melanoma researchers, including Dr Liz Patton, feature in a full-page public service advertisement: October 2017

The genetic basis of human lifespan

Using data from 25 different studies, researchers from the University of Edinburgh have identified new genetic variants that influence lifespan.

Significant research grant awarded for Type 1 diabetes research

Apple, sugar cubes and syringe with insulin
Professors Helen Colhoun and Paul McKeigue receive award from Diabetes UK for Type 1 diabetes research: October 2017

Lifestyle changes can close regional obesity gap

Body Mass Index Distribution in Scotland
MRC Human Genetics Unit study suggests targeting lifestyle could help reduce health inequalities in Scotland: October 2017

CRUK EC post-doc Matthew Smith wins FEBS Letters Poster Award

Matthew Smith, a post-doctoral researcher in Dr Simon Wilkinson’s lab in the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, won the FEBS Letters Poster Award at the EMBO Conference on Autophagy: from molecular principles to human disease: September 2017

Genetics study shows how cells adapt to help repair nerve damage

Pins and needles are one sign of peripheral neuropathy
Research uncovering the genetic mechanisms behind nerve damage and repair has been highlighted in the journal ‘Cell reports’: September 2017

Over 200 visitors at the IGMM Open Day

IGMM doors open 2017
The MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine opened its doors to the public for the second time on September 23, welcoming 232 visitors: September 2017

Recent successes of the IGMM Mass Spectrometry Facility team

Recent successes of the IGMM Mass Spectrometry Facility team
The IGMM Mass Spectrometry Facility located in the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre provides mass spectrometry services: September 2017

IGMM hosts the Eye Development & Degeneration conference

EYE DEVELOPMENT & DEGENERATION 2017
The IGMM hosted the two-day ‘Eye Development and Degeneration: From Genes to Therapy’ conference: 4th - 5th September 2017

Blindness study shows how gene causes middle-age sight loss

derived-organoid-optic-
Chemical changes in the eye that can lead to blindness have been identified by scientists: September 2017

Academic promotions at the IGMM

Prof Hayward, Dr Myant and Dr Kudla
Three IGMM researchers have received promotions from the University in recognition of their work: August 2017

IGMM hosts Genetics Society and Genes & Development Summer School

Gen Soc summer school 2017
Genetics Society undergraduates meet at IGMM for the annual Summer School: August 2017

The 4th Super-Resolution Summer School

ESRIC 2017
The 4th Super-Resolution Summer School took place at ESRIC between 31 July and 4 August 2017. 36 researchers from 18 countries attended, including students from previous years as well as some new faces: August 2017

What lies in the hearts of mice?

Sarah Hutton, an S5 pupil from Gracemount High School, to undertake a four-week Nuffield Research Placement
Funding from the Nuffield Foundation enabled Sarah Hutton, an S5 pupil from Gracemount High School, to undertake a four-week Nuffield Research Placement: July 2017

Honorary doctorate for Denis Rutovitz

Denis Rutovitz  and Cathy Abbott
Honorary doctoral degree awarded to former IGMM staff member, charity founder and aid worker: July 2017

Science Insights

Science Insights
Science Insights: July 2017

cGAS detection of micronuclei links DNA damage and inflammatory mechanisms

Edinburgh study sheds light on how body may detect early signs of cancer
Findings may shed light on inflammatory disease and body’s response to cancer: July 2017

Gold specks raise hopes for better cancer treatments

Asier Unciti-Broceta news 7.2017
Scientists have completed a study which showed that gold increased the effectiveness of drugs used to treat lung cancer cells: July 2017

Award received to develop personalised medicine approach for IBD

Scotland at forefront of genetic medicine revolution
Dr Elaine Nimmo, CGEM, is awarded c£75K from Crohn’s and Colitis UK for innovative Inflammatory Bowel Disease research: June 2017

How much of intelligence and personality is inherited?

How much of intelligence and personality is inherited news 6.2017
Research undertaken using Generation Scotland Biobank data was featured in an online New Scientist Daily News article on 20 June 2017.

People-powered DNA research

MRC Festival of Research News 2017
As part of the MRC Festival of Medical Research, the MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine teamed up with Leith Labs to organise a day of hands-on activities at Ocean Terminal: June 2017

MRC IGMM Data Science in Biomedicine Workshop renews Institute’s focus on translational activity

Data Science in Biomedicine Workshop news 6.2017
The MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (IGMM) held a workshop on "Data Science in Biomedicine”: 20 June 2017

Uncovering the link between genes for intellectual ability and lifetime risk of schizophrenia

Silhouette of head made up of networks
A significant breakthrough in the understanding of schizophrenia confirms a suspected link with genes that affect intellectual ability: June 2017

Dr Evropi Theodoratou awarded a prestigious £1.58 million Career Development Fellowship by CRUK

Dr Evropi Theodoratou
Cancer Research UK has awarded Dr Evropi Theodoratou £1.58 million to support her research on improving bowel cancer diagnosis in Scotland: June 2017

Five female scientists are working on ground-breaking Melanoma research

Five female scientists are working on ground-breaking Melanoma research
Dr Liz Patton from the MRC IGMM, as one of five female scientists leading a Melanoma Research Team, is currently featuring on the L’Oreal Paris website: June 2017

Dynamic DNA helps ward off gene damage - chromatin is the guardian of the genome

Dynamic DNA helps ward off gene damage - chromatin is the guardian of the genome
Edinburgh researchers have identified properties in DNA’s protective structure that could transform the way geneticists think about the human genome: June 2017

MRC Festival of Medical Research 2017

MRC Festival of medical research
Leith Labs Explores Genes & Brains – Research Revelations with the IGMM and CCACE: June 2017

David FitzPatrick elected as Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences

David FitzPatrick
Congratulations to Professor David FitzPatrick who has become a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci): May 2017

Wendy Bickmore elected as Fellow of the Royal Society

W.Bickmore
Congratulations to Professor Wendy Bickmore who becomes a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of her outstanding contributions to science: May 2017

Wilms’ Tumour Suppressor (WT1) - not just a transcription factor

Wilms’ Tumour Suppressor news 4.2017
Recent research within the MRC Human Genetics Unit (HGU) of the IGMM, has finally found a combination of roles of Wilms’ Tumour 1 (WT1) that together demonstrate its crucial importance in disease development: April 2017

Our Scientists at the Edinburgh International Science Festival

Our Scientist at the Edinburgh International Science Festival
Researchers from the Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre/Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (IGMM) took part in the Edinburgh International Science Festival: April 2017

Genes & Cancer Meeting 2017 Prizes

Genes and Cancer meeting prize
We are delighted by the recent IGMM success at the 32nd Genes & Cancer Meeting: April 2017

Gene identified for the severe childhood disease PLAAND

Gene identified for the severe childhood disease PLAAND
The best laid PLAAns of mice and men - when brain development goes awry: April 2017

IGMM 3 minute thesis competition winners

IGMM 3MT 2017
Isobel MacGregor wins the 2017 IGMM 3 minute thesis competition: April 2017

Cancer centre scientists link cellular trafficking networks to cancer cell invasion

Colocalization of Ambra1 and FAK at cell adhesion sites. Scale bars 20µm
This important work provides new insights into how cancer cells function and how they migrate to invade adjacent tissues: April 2017

CGEM staff celebrate the centre’s 21st Birthday

CGEM 21st Birthday
CGEM staff celebrated the centre’s 21st Birthday on Wednesday 15 March: March 2017

NHS Scotland rare diseases study signs up first recruits

Scottish Genomes Partnerships
People in Scotland with rare genetic diseases will benefit from a DNA study that seeks to improve their diagnoses and treatments: March 2017

£1.3m diabetes data study to spot signs of linked health problems

H.Colhoun AXA Chair
A major research initiative was launched on 23 January 2017 that will use cutting edge data analysis techniques to better understand the health complications that are experienced by people with diabetes: February 2017

IGMM hosted the 2017 ESRIC Symposium attracting over 100 researchers

ESRIC 2017 Symposium
The 2017 Edinburgh Super-Resolution Imaging Consortium (ESRIC) Symposium welcomed over 100 researchers from Edinburgh Universities and others from the central belt: January 2017

ESRIC Super-resolution summer school registration opens

ESRIC summer school 2016
Applications are now open for the 2017 summer school: January 2017

£1.5m trial for brittle bone therapy

fractured bone
People with a rare bone condition that can cause them to have hundreds of fractures during a lifetime are being invited to trial a potential treatment: January 2017