Leading Life Science Research

Edinburgh life science research is among the best in the world, being part of one the largest and fastest growing life science communities in Europe. From the pioneering use of anaesthesia in the 1840's through to the world’s first cloned mammal in 1996 - Dolly the sheep, Edinburgh has a proud history in the life sciences maintaining a high level of research quality for centuries.

Edinburgh city region is a very strong research location for life sciences, supported by the critical mass of world-leading research, research excellence in a number of life science fields and a focus on collaboration as a means to advance research and commercialisation.

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Biotechnology

Edinburgh excels at research into inflammation, cardiovascular disease, reproductive biology, immunology, cancer, infectious disease and neuroscience.

The University of Edinburgh undertakes research into important areas of medical research that are relevant to life today, and aims are the understanding, alleviation, and eradication of disease and the health problems of modern society.

Genetics

Genetics research aims to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying normal human development and disease through world-leading research. This includes the use of modern technology to advance research into genetic manipulation and epigenetics.

The Edinburgh region is ideal for genetic epidemiology studies due to to its well-documented and fairly constant patient population and its host of sophisticated talent in the field of genetic manipulation.

Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research and regenerative medicine have the potential to significantly impact on a broad range of life science subjects.

Scotland’s stem cell and regenerative medicine research has the support of the Scottish Stem Cell Network. This national organisation aims to bring together scientists, clinicians and business to rapidly translate stem cell research into new treatments for degenerative diseases – a true translational medicine approach.

Research and Development

Scotland has emerged as world leader in many fields including cancer research, cardiovascular research, neuroscience, genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics, signal transduction biology, stem cell research, virology and immunology.

From broad life science fields to specialist life science subjects, Edinburgh is exceptional at a number of areas with a major focus on human healthcare.

Drug Discovery

The drug discovery industry is evolving rapidly, this evolution is stimulated by increased accessibility of new technologies such as next generation sequencing, systems biology and imaging that enhance our ability to interrogate complex biological systems.

Edinburgh is at the forefront of translational medicine, embracing the importance of collaboration in order to fully understand the molecular, cellular and whole systems approach to diseases.