Improving the nation's health

Last Updated July 27th 2010

Medical Research Scotland is one of the largest and most comprehensive independent research charities in Scotland. We aim to invest in the future of Scotland's biomedical research and help to maintain its well-deserved international reputation for pioneering medical research. We do this by supporting young doctors and scientists carry out research and establish careers in their chosen health-related fields. Unlike most medical research charities, our funding isn't restricted to any one disease or condition, we simply support high-quality research that aims to improve the understanding, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all diseases and disease mechanisms.

Over 50 years of research funding

The diagram below provides a breakdown of the diseases which have benefited from the work we have supported to the value of more than £32million over the past 50 years.

diagram

Most Recent Grant Awards

In the past financial year (2009-10), we have awarded grants to the following:

  • Dr V. Anne Smith (School of Biology, St Andrews University) and colleagues in Edinburgh University, for a systematic detailed statistical analysis which should lead to improvements in the selection of the most appropriate type of treatment for patients with ovarian cancer.
  • Dr Andrew J. Childs and colleagues (MRC Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, Edinburgh University), to study the regulation of egg development in the human fetal ovary to help in establishing reproductive potential.
  • Dr Carl S. Goodyear (Clinical Neurosciences, Glasgow University) and Glasgow colleagues, to investigate the control systems in the immune system which result in the bone destruction associated with gum disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and many other diseases. [The Vipiana Award]
  • Dr Christine M. Dufes (Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences) and a colleague at the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, to evaluate a potential new delivery mechanism for possible gene therapy of cancer.
  • Dr Nancy Sabatier (Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh), to study the brain signalling mechanisms involved in the development of obesity.
  • Dr John A. Marwick and a colleague (Centre for Inflammation Research, Edinburgh University), to investigate why steroid-type drugs do not always reduce inflammation in some chronic lung diseases, with the aim of improving treatment.
  • Mr Stephen J. McNally and colleagues (Centre for Inflammation Research, Edinburgh University) to improve understanding of the cause of the liver damage which can occur following cancer surgery or transplantation.