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Chief Medical Officer visits sepsis research team

Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Dr Cath Calderwood, visited The Roslin Institute to discuss our research into sepsis.

Dr Calderwood met Roslin researchers investigating sepsis.
Dr Calderwood met Roslin researchers investigating sepsis.

On 18 April, Dr Cath Calderwood, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Scottish Government visited The Roslin Institute to discuss our research into sepsis.

Dr Cath Calderwood was welcomed by Professor David Argyle, Head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, who introduced the CMO to Dr Kenneth Baillie, who leads research into sepsis at The Roslin Institute.

Sepsis study to investigate the role of genes

During the visit, Dr Calderwood met a number of Roslin researchers who are investigating the role genes play in determining how likely people are to die from infection in the hope it will speed the search for new medicines.

Sepsis occurs when the immune system reacts to infection, causing symptoms such as cold hands and feet, mottled skin and a quickened heart rate. It can quickly lead to multiple organ failure and death. More people die from sepsis than the combined figure for breast cancer and bowel cancer.

The study is being made possible thanks to vital funding from Sepsis Research – the UK’s first sepsis research charity – which will provide £40,000 annually.

It has been a pleasure to host Dr Cath Calderwood CMO at The Roslin Institute and discuss our research into sepsis. We hope our work will help us to unlock some of the clues to how DNA governs sepsis recovery.

Dr Kenneth BaillieAcademic Consultant in Critical Care Medicine and Group Leader at The Roslin Institute
Dr Calderwood visited the Edinburgh Genomics facility at the Institute.
Dr Calderwood visited the Edinburgh Genomics facility at the Institute.

Genome sequencing lab of international quality

Dr Calderwood also visited the Edinburgh Genomics facilities at The Roslin Institute, which have recently received an internationally-recognised accreditation to mark the quality of its genome analysis services.

The facility, called Edinburgh Genomics, employs advanced technologies that can decode the entire genetic make-up of a human or any other species in a matter of days.

** The Roslin Institute receives strategic investment funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and it is part of the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. **

Related links

Sepsis study to investigate the role of genes

Genome sequencing lab awarded international quality stamp

Sepsis Research (FEAT)

Pictures

Head of School Professor David Argyle and Roslin scientist Dr Kenneth Baillie have welcomed Chief Medical Officer.
Head of School Professor David Argyle and Roslin scientist Dr Kenneth Baillie have welcomed Chief Medical Officer Dr Cath Calderwood and CEO of Sepsis Research Mr Colin Graham.
Dr Calderwood and Sepsis Research CEO Mr Colin Graham met with Roslin researchers.
Dr Calderwood and Sepsis Research CEO Mr Colin Graham met with Roslin researchers.