New funding to study vitamin D
January 2011
Grant from the Scottish Government to test vitamin D levels in all ORCADES and NIMS blood samples.
Vitamin D is produced in the skin when it is exposed to enough sunlight. It has been known to be important in bone health for a long time, but it looks like it might also be important in diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, some cancers and heart disease.
A pilot study on the Scottish Mainland found that more than half of people were deficient in levels of this vitamin. Dr Jim Wilson, Population and Disease Genetics Group said "Given the high latitude of Orkney and fewer hours of sunshine, we expect that it might be worse here. We will look at how vitamin D deficiency varies with the seasons, how the diet and time spent outside affect levels and if there is a relationship with diseases like diabetes and MS.
It is a good example of the kind of work we will be able to do with the data and blood samples from the ORCADESstudy – there will be many projects like this in the future making use of the information and samples given by volunteers in Orkney."
ORCADES is led by Dr Jim Wilson at the University of Edinburgh, together with Professor's Harry Campbell (University of Edinburgh)and Alan Wright (MRC Human Genetics Unit) and Dr Sarah Wild (University of Edinburgh).
Related Links
Population and Disease Genetics Group: Dr Jim Wilson
New funding to study vitamin D: January 2011
Scots team help identify genes linked to heartbeat:15 November 2010
Biological pathways affect human height: September 2010
£3.5m Grant paves way for medical centre: July 2010
2010 Queen's Birthday Honours for MRC Scientist: June 2010
Screening test hope for bone disease: 2 May 2010
New fellows: The Royal Society of Edinburgh:5 March 2010
A functional edge 2010: 11 February 2010
Elected to EMBO: 22 October 2009
Osteoporosis and coeliac disease: 9 October 2009
Gala awards for innovators:19 August 2009
Major investment genetics and genomics research:
2 June 2009
Genetic Clues Key to Schizophrenia Treatment:
9 March 2009
The Future Of Cancer Treatment: Can We Afford It?: March 2009
IGMM Workshop: February 2009
Scientist's quest to ease Bone Patients: 16 February 2009
Elected 2010 Balfour Lecturer: 5 February 2009
Untangling the String: 5 February 2009
Study sheds light on cause of Bowel Disease:
10 December 2008
Study sheds light on cause of bowel disease: 10 December 2008
IGMM Communications Group: December 2008
IGMM Retreat: 15 October 2008
PhD Student Award: 1 October 2008
Royal Society Awards: August 2008
Breast Cancer World Class Research Unit: 4 June 2008Genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: 14 May 2008
Racial Differences in Response to Bowel Cancer Genetic Risk Factor: 1 April 2008
Osteoporosis Research Investigating Effects of Cannabis Drug on Thinning Bones: 26 March 2008
New Support for DISC1: 13 March 2008
Award Winning Images of Science: 12 Mar 2008
Gene Could Spell New Chapter in Fight Against Gout: 10 Mar 08
New Fellows: The Royal Society of Edinburgh
7 Mar 08
MRC Centre in Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology: 5 Mar 2008
Dr Matt Cockerill: 7 Feb 08
Professor Sir Ian Wilmut: 24 Jan 08
Award celebrates innovation in cystic fibrosis research
June 2011
IGMM scientists have been celebrated at the Medical Futures Innovation Awards, Europe's leading showcase of early stage innovation in healthcare.
The awards - hosted by comedian Rory Bremner and Dynasty actress Emma Samms - recognise innovative ideas in healthcare from front line clinicians, scientists and entrepreneurs.
From thousands of entries, the top 100 teams were invited to pitch to Dragon's Den style judging panels of some of the world's most distinguished and respected doctors, scientists and commercial experts.
The UK Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium, which brings together researchers from the IGMM, Imperial College London and Oxford University, won the Best Therapeutic Innovation award in the respiratory category.
The group, which is led in Edinburgh by Professor David Porteous, also won the overall MRC Best Translational Research Innovation Award.
The team's winning therapy delivers a normal version of the faulty cystic fibrosis gene into the lungs of sufferers via a friendly virus.
This should prevent the build up of the sticky mucus that causes illness and discomfort for those with cystic fibrosis.
Medical Futures' founder Dr Andy Goldberg, consultant surgeon and senior academic for University College London said:
"Our winners were chosen by a panel of distinguished experts and they deserve every success for their creativity, commercial viability, and most importantly potential impact on patients."
Related Links
Oxford University Gene Medicine
