2017

A busy year filled with news-worthy research, awards, scientific and public events, training courses and more.

Videos of the inaugural lectures of Elspeth Milne and Mark Stevens as well as Richard Mellanby’s lecture on Vitamin D are now online.

Experts at The Roslin Institute are to investigate how genetic techniques could be applied to help control pest species.

Welfare expert Jessica Martin has been named Young Poultry Person of the Year at the Egg and Poultry Industry Conference.

Roslin Institute scientists are using genome editing technology to prevent a devastating disease in salmon aquaculture.

Study revealed details of the structure of the human nervous system that had not been seen before.

Scientists at Roslin and The Pirbright Institute receive funding from the BBSRC to combat deadly poultry disease.

Professor Ian Boyd from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs gave a seminar at The Roslin Institute.

Roslin scientists will help to increase the production of goat and sheep milk in Cyprus so that the demand for the country’s famous cheese can be satisfied.

Inserting new device that releases medicine at specific times under the skin could help fight infectious diseases.

Professor David Hume, former Director at The Roslin Institute, has been presented with an honorary fellowship by Scotland’s Rural College.

Professor Wallace Cowling from The University of Western Australia tells us how spending his summer at The Roslin Institute helped him advance his work.

On 14 October we welcomed nearly 500 people who could see the behind the scenes at The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

A roadmap to combat zoonotic Tuberculosis was launched last week at the Union World Conference on Lung Health in Mexico.

Over 70 CTLGH members, funders, key stakeholders and collaborators gathered in Edinburgh to discuss progress on improving tropical livestock productivity and resilience.

A large scale analyses of neuronal proteins sheds light on the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease.

The Roslin Institute receives an Athena SWAN Gold award in recognition of its efforts in supporting the careers of women in science.

To celebrate World Animal Day we have compiled a number of research stories in this area as well as information about developments in the teaching labs.

Scientists in Scotland have gained access to the most up-to-date gene sequencing technology, aiding research to better understand human and animal diseases.

Over 120 people attended the screening of “Food Evolution” followed by a Q&A session with GM experts and the film director.

A Scottish study that potentially paves the way for the breeding of low-emission livestock has won an internationally respected research prize.

Fresh insights into the genetic code of sheep could aid breeding programmes to improve their health and productivity.

Roslin scientists embark on a collaborative £2 million project to better understand a livestock disease in sub-Saharan Africa.

Professor Eleanor Riley takes up the role of Institute Director on 1st September 2017.

Unifying plant and animal breeding through the use of genomic selection is crucial to ensure global food security.

We’re sad to announce that our former colleague, who was principal investigator on the team that created Dolly the Sheep at The Roslin Institute, passed away on 4 August 2017.

Professor Alistair Lawrence has been awarded the title of Honorary Fellow of the International Society for Applied Ethology.

Visitors got hands-on with fun science activities, met our scientists and found out about current research at The Roslin Institute.

The new framework identifies the key research and innovation priorities of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

A new partnership between the University of Edinburgh and the Scottish Government will use forensic science to tackle wildlife crime.

Cameroon is often called ‘Africa in miniature’ due to its geographical and cultural diversity. It now can also claim the highest M. bovis genetic diversity on the continent so far reported.

Biosourcing in partnership with The Roslin Institute is exploring the production of biopharmaceuticals for animal health.

World experts gathered at The Roslin Institute for a two-day workshop organised by WorldFish to help shape the future of tilapia selective breeding and genetic improvement.

A £1.75M grant will support research to uncover mechanisms of drug resistance in African livestock trypanosomes, transmitted by tsetse flies.

Researchers from The Roslin Institute and Pirbright Institute lead a newly funded network to develop livestock vaccines.

Mediterranean Aquaculture Integrated Development is a new EU H2020 research project which brings together over 30 organisations from 12 different countries to improve aquaculture in the Mediterranean.

A study of dog DNA has revealed a genetic mutation linked to flat face shapes such as those seen in pugs and bulldogs.

Oyster farmers are set to benefit from a new genetic tool that will help to prevent disease outbreaks and improve yields.

A genetic mutation that contributes to sight loss in children has been identified by scientists at The Roslin Institute.

Lonneke Vervelde’s group has been involved in a European collaboration to improve the understanding viruses which severely affect poultry production worldwide.

Fresh insights into how the Human Cytomegalovirus replicates could pave the way for new therapies to stop its spread.

To celebrate World Migratory Bird Day and highlight the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats, we have compiled some of the Institute’s latest research stories in this field.

Professor Appolinaire Djikeng has been appointed to head the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, a partnership between the University of Edinburgh, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the Africa-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

A study led by Barry McColl shows that having a stroke damages immune cells as well as affecting the brain.

Roslin scientists uncover the effects of ageing on spleen structure and function.

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has awarded £29.3M towards strategic research at The Roslin Institute.

Innovations that improve the health of farmed animals and raise agricultural productivity will be brought to market with the support of a £10 million investment.

A study in human cells and tissues collected from cattle shows that the gene-regulating molecule miR-96 could be key for establishing and sustaining pregnancy.

An international study led by scientists at The Roslin Institute highlights gut macrophage dysregulation as a key process leading to Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Scientists have used advanced genetic techniques to produce pigs that are potentially resilient to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).

Twenty years after Dolly the sheep’s dramatic introduction to the world, researchers have been reflecting on her scientific legacy.

Hens that do not produce their own chicks have been developed for use as surrogates to lay eggs from rare breeds.

Professor Eleanor Riley has been appointed to head The Roslin Institute and will take up post later this year in succession to Professor David Hume.

Francisco Martínez Mojica, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna receive prestigious international award.

The Roslin Institute has retained its Gold Lab Award for a fourth consecutive year.

Professor Bruce Whitelaw has agreed to serve as Interim Director of The Roslin Institute until a new Director takes up the post later this year.

Male pigs that are unable to produce sperm could be ideal surrogates for the transplantation of gametes from elite sires.