College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine

News 2017-2019

News 2017-2019

Stories from the College from 2017-2019.

 

 

News

Tissue repair PhD student wins University 'Three Minute Thesis' competition

Image showing Phoebe Kirkwood, 3MT winner
Phoebe Kirkwood of the MRC Centre for Inflammation Research has won the University of Edinburgh's 'Three Minute Thesis' competition, sending her on to the UK Final.

Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society is launched

A photograph of the team members
The new Wellcome Trust-backed Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society held an official launch event on Monday 25 June.

Celebrating a decade of Edinburgh Clinical Academic Track (ECAT)

Images of Rob Hunter, Ken Baillie, Antonia Churchhouse, Katie Marwick and Livvy Swann
In 2018 the Edinburgh Clinical Academic Track programme celebrates its tenth year of existence. We speak to ECAT fellows past and present to find out about their experience of the programme.

£53m for research to probe genetic links to health and disease

IGMM building
Research into human genetics has received a £53 million boost from the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Medical School receives glowing report

MBCHB students learning clinical skills at Edinburgh Medical School
Edinburgh Medical School has been praised in the General Medical Council’s national review of medical education and training in Scotland.

Cancer patients to benefit from surgery study

A surgeon holding a pair of scissors
Improved care for patients undergoing cancer surgery is the focus of a pioneering worldwide study.

Bowel disease study points to new therapies

A 3D graphic of a human highlighting where the bowel is.
Treatments for incurable bowel conditions may be a step closer following the discovery of a key molecule associated with disease flare-ups.

Researchers to evaluate NHS tech scheme

Image of a laptop and stethascope on a desk
Impact of a flagship NHS programme aimed at improving the use of digital technology in hospitals is to be assessed.

Depression study pinpoints genes linked to the condition

Scientists discover nearly 80 genes that could be linked to depression.

Painkillers in pregnancy may affect baby’s fertility

Photograph of white tablets
Taking painkillers during pregnancy could affect the fertility of the unborn child in later life, research suggests.

Street dogs to benefit from app that keeps canine health on track

Heather Bacon with her rescued street dogs
Improved care for street dogs is the goal of a new smartphone app devised by an international team of animal welfare experts.

£2.4m boost for brain tumour research

brain scan
Scientists at Edinburgh are to receive £2.4 million to find new ways to tackle brain tumours.

£2.2m boost for pioneering research into mental health conditions

Image of human head and data
Novel research aimed at better understanding mental health conditions such as depression is to receive a £2.2 million investment.

Cancer patients’ pain eased by simple bedside chart

Hands crossed on a bed
A new study suggests patients with cancer could benefit from a simple bedside system to manage their pain.

Landmark stroke study could hold key to new therapies

Brain and gene graphic
Fresh insights into the biological causes of stroke could pave the way for new therapies, following a major study.

Emotional support is key for stroke patients

Nurse holding a patient's hand
Doctors caring for severe stroke patients need to take account of their psychological needs and help prepare families for the possibility that they may not recover, a study suggests.

Survival advantage

A map of the world
People from most ethnic groups who were born abroad but live in Scotland have lower death rates than those born here, a study has found.

Education essential in fight against rabies

Catching street dogs for Mission Rabies vaccine study
A study of schools in Malawi suggests that education could play a more prominent role in the fight against the disease.

Cow study sheds light on microbes that aid digestion

Highland cow
Meat and milk production from cattle could one day be boosted, thanks to DNA analysis of the microbes in cows’ stomachs.

Fertility hormone could support early pregnancy

womb lining
Scientists have pinpointed a hormone that could help prepare the womb lining for pregnancy, research shows.

Insights into depression could speed up new treatments

woman with head in her hands
Fresh insights into changes in the brain linked to depression could pave the way for new therapies.

Surgical infections linked to drug-resistant bugs

infographic on wound infection after gastrointestinal surgery
People having surgery in low income countries are more likely to develop an infection than those in wealthier nations, which may be linked to drug-resistant bacteria, research suggests.

Funding available for innovative projects in teaching, research and student experience

Apex 5 team during the expedition
Previous successful projects from across the College have ranged from high altitude research in Bolivia to a virtual slaughterhouse simulator for vet e-learning.

Female hormones may be linked to asthma

Asthma patient and doctor
Fluctuations in female sex hormones could play a role in the development of allergies and asthma, a major review of evidence suggests.

Family’s gift to establish epilepsy fund

entrance of Royal Sick Kids Hospital, Edinburgh
A major fund has been established to support pioneering research into mental health and early death in people with epilepsy.

£54m drive to improve health with data research

data science graphic
Experts at the University of Edinburgh are to lead the Scottish element of a UK-wide initiative to address healthcare challenges by harnessing the power of data science.

Lung probe speeds detection of infections

graphic showing a pair of lungs
A medical imaging technology under development has enabled doctors to see bacteria deep inside patients’ lungs for the first time.

China healthcare collaboration commended

Colleagues collect the award
A University healthcare initiative has been honoured at the China-Scotland Business Awards.

Easter Bush event celebrates innovations in agriculture

Bill Gates and Minister Penny Mordaunt at Easter Bush
Bill Gates and Government Minister Penny Mordaunt visited the Easter Bush campus to showcase how communities worldwide are being helped by agricultural research.

Two simple tests could help to pinpoint cause of stroke

Brain scan indicating a stroke
New approach could revolutionise the way doctors manage strokes caused by bleeding in the brain.

Insight into heavy periods could pave way for treatments

Woman clutching belly
Scientists have uncovered a cause of heavy menstrual bleeding that offers hope for women living with the condition.

College staff recognised in New Year’s Honours

Margaret Frame, Andrew Morris and Hayley Walters
Colleagues from across the College were included in the New Year Honours List when it was announced at the end of 2017.

Homeless people and pets focus of student appeal

Vet students holding the bags collected for homeless people and their pets
Vet students are spreading Christmas cheer this winter by distributing rucksacks filled with essential items to homeless people and their pets.

New approaches to breeding resistance to salmon flu

Roslin Institute scientists use genome editing technology to prevent disease in salmon aquaculture.

Heart attack test predicts silent risk

An image of a heart
A simple blood test could help identify people at risk of a heart attack, a study has found.

Halloumi cheese gets a helping hand from science

AGRICYGEN coordinator, Dr Georgia Hadjipavlou and Dr Michael Papadopoulos with team members from The Roslin Institute.
Scottish scientists have joined a Europe-wide bid to secure the future supply of Cyprus’ finest food export – halloumi cheese.

Chimp study reveals how brain’s structure shaped evolution

A chimp scratching its head
Chimpanzee brains may be more different from those of humans than was previously thought, according to new research that sheds light on our evolution.

Seizure study sheds light on lasting brain effects

Girl connected with cables for EEG for a scientific experiment
Prolonged convulsive seizures in childhood could be linked to the development of other brain conditions, a study suggests.

Queen’s Prize honours research to improve women’s health

scan of baby in the womb
The University of Edinburgh has received a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its work to improve women’s health.

First Doctor of Dentistry graduates at Edinburgh

Dr Abdullah Al Alkalaly and family
Dr Abdullah Aly Alkalaly became our very first Doctor of Dentistry at the 2018 winter graduations.

Individuals honoured at McEwan Hall

Donald MacDonald and Professor Sir John Savill
Law graduate and philanthropist, Donald MacDonald and doctor and activist, Denis Mukwege were among honorary graduates at the winter ceremony.

Brain map sheds light on smokers’ habit

3D rendering of human brain on technology background
Smokers may be predisposed to their habit because of the molecular make-up of their brain, research suggests.

Brain study sheds light on how dementia spreads

Tara Spires-Jones
Insights into how a key chemical disrupts brain cells in a common type of dementia have been revealed by scientists.

Brain cell advance brings hope for CJD

CJD written on wooden blocks
Scientists have developed a new system to study Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the laboratory, paving the way for research to find treatments for the fatal brain disorder.

Usher Institute Professor wins 2017 Chancellor's Rising Star Award

Prof Devi Sridhar speaking at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Professor Devi Sridhar has been recognised for the exceptional contribution she has made in the field of global health governance.

Skulls reveal origin of Canary Isles’ aboriginals

A collection of Guanche skulls displayed in the University's Anatomical Museum
Aboriginal people who lived on the Canary Islands before European colonisation originated from North Africa, a DNA study has found.

Success at World Canoeing Championships for Biomedical Sciences student

Eilidh Gibson canoeing
Eilidh Gibson was part of Team GB C1 team who took home gold in the World Championships.

Building for the future of Regenerative Medicine in Edinburgh

Jonathan Seckl, Kelsey Wallace, Stuart Forbes and Hans Moller
Construction of new Centre of Tissue Repair has begun on the Edinburgh BioQuarter Campus.

Social media studies need tighter controls

mobile phone with alerts
​​​​​​​Information shared on social media is being regularly used in research projects without users’ consent, a study suggests.

The first ever global Zoonotic TB roadmap

A roadmap to combat Zoonotic Tuberculosis has been launched at the Union World Conference on Lung Health in Mexico.