Awards made during 2000-01

£69,720 over two years to Dr Paul H. Everest (Veterinary Pathology, Glasgow University) for the identification of Salmonella enteritidis genes required for colonisation and survival in poultry and shell eggs.
Salmonella enteritidis is a major cause of bacterial food poisoning. This research seeks to identify the genes which are needed for the Salmonella bacteria to colonise and then survive in poultry and shell eggs.

£39,943 for a one-year study to Drs James G. Burgess, David R Adams & Phillip C. Wright (Biological Sciences, Heriot-Watt University) to study the effect of novel chemical inducers (signal molecules) on the production of antibiotics active against multi-drug resistant hospital pathogens.
Multi-drug resistant hospital pathogens present major challenges to staff and patients alike. This research will study the effects of new signalling molecules on the production of antibiotics to tackle such pathogens.

£69,513 over one year to Dr Alison Blackwell (Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Edinburgh University) to investigate novel compounds for repelling blood-feeding insects in Scotland.
Midges are blood-feeding insects whose bites are hard to avoid in Scotland. This research tests the use of Myrica gale (the moorland plant, bog myrtle) extract as a non-toxic insect repellent.

£43,000 over 14 months to Drs Gerome D. Breen & David St Clair (Mental Health, Aberdeen University) to investigate the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the pharmacogenetics and genetics of mood disorders.
Even small changes in genetic sequences can have an impact upon health and the body's response to drugs. This research will look at such a small change and its role in mood disorders.

£69,217 over two years to Drs Robin J. Plevin (Physiology & Pharmacology) & Dino Rotondo (Immunology, Strathclyde University) to study the regulation of cell-selective cytotoxicity by verotoxigenic infective E. coli O157 and, in particular, H7 cellular signalling cascades as novel sites for drug intervention.
E. coli O157 causes severe intestinal problems and is a highly infectious bacterium for which antibiotic treatment is largely ineffective as the effects are mediated by verotoxins. However, as not all body cells are equally affected by the toxins, this research will study the effects in different cell types.

£69,664 over two years to Drs Benjamin S. Pickard & Walter J. Muir and Professor Douglas H.R. Blackwood (Psychiatry) and Professor David Porteous (Molecular Medicine Centre, Edinburgh University) for a study combining fluorescence in situ hybridisation with molecular bio-informatics to isolate genes for psychiatric illness.
Using modern biological techniques and molecular bioinformatics this research will study the genes associated with psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia.

£69,970 over two years to Dr Matthew C. Wright (Molecular & Cell Biology), Professor Gabrielle Hawksworth (Medicine & Therapeutics) and Dr Graeme Murray (Pathology, Aberdeen University) to investigate the function of arachidonic acid-metabolising cytochrome P450 2J3 in hepatic stellate cells and its role in modulating liver fibrosis.
Before liver cirrhosis occurs a process called fibrosis takes place, where fibrous tissue accumulates in liver cells, disturbing the structure and function. This research will attempt to modify fibrosis using enzymes, aiming to prevent progression to cirrhosis.

£69,967 over two years to Drs Craig W. Roberts & James Alexander (Immunology, Strathclyde University) to develop a rational molecular approach to designing a vaccine against congenital toxoplasmosis.
There is currently no vaccine for congenital toxoplasmosis, a protozoal infection which can cause serious disease. This research aims to identify proteins with a strong immunological response, with a view to designing a vaccine.

£70,000 over two years to Drs Sean Carlin & Robert J. Mairs and Professor Anne Barrett (Radiation Oncology, Glasgow University) for the development of radioiodide-based therapeutic strategies for the treatment of malignant disease.
Certain cells, including breast cancer and thyroid cells, are known to be able to take up iodine. Treatment of thyroid tumours has been improved by the use of radioiodide and this research intends to establish if this mechanism could also bring benefits in breast cancer treatment.

£69,921 over two years to Drs Winifred Boner & Iain Morgan (Veterinary Pathology, Glasgow University) for the development of an HPV16 E2-interacting protein as a therapeutic target for interfering with the viral life cycle.
The life-cycle of the human papillomaviruses (HPV) is dependant on the E2 protein. Given the severity of diseases they cause and the lack of therapies, this research seeks to disturb E2 function to disrupt the viral life-cycle with molecules which could be therapeutic.

£99,278 over three years to Dr Joanne K. Miller & Professor David Porteous (Medical Genetics, Edinburgh University) to carry out a functional analysis of a candidate schizophrenia gene, disrupted by a chromosomal translocation in patients with schizophrenia.
DISC1 is one of the few genes known to increase a person's susceptibility of developing schizophrenia. However, its normal function is unknown so this research will investigate this and consider the normal signalling pathways it is involved in.

£70,000 over two years to Dr Cameron J. Weir & Professor J.A.W. Wildsmith (Anaesthesia) and Profesor Jeremy J. Lambert (Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Dundee University) for characterisation of general anaesthetic binding site(s) on human GABA_A receptors.
In spite of their regular use, the mechanisms behind the effects of general anaesthesia are largely unknown. This research will study the components of GABA_A receptors which interact specifically with general anaesthetics.

£99,573 over two years to Drs Michelle J. Ferguson (Cancer Medicine), Theodore R. Hupp, Neil M. Kernohan (Molecular & Cellular Pathology) and Professors Robert J.C. Steele (Surgical & Molecular Oncology) and Elaine M. Rankin (Cancer Medicine, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee) to develop novel strategies for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
The p53 gene pathway is necessary for cells to undergo programmed cell death, known as apoptosis. However, p53 is mutated in many colorectal cancer patients, making treatment challenging. This research considers ways to manipulate the p53 response to improve cell killing when accompanied by chemotherapy.

£54,602 over two years to Dr Neil C. Henderson & Kenneth J. Simpson (Medicine, Edinburgh University) to study the mechanisms of intracellular signal transduction mediating the hepatoprotective effects of CXC chemokines.
By studying specific cell signalling molecules, called MAPKs, the researchers intend to modify the damage inflicted on liver cells by paracetamol toxicity, reducing the need for liver transplantation.

£99,826 over three years to Drs Morgan G. Blaylock & Garry M. Walsh (Medicine & Therapeutics, Aberdeen University) and Dr J. Graham Douglas (Respiratory Medicine, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary) to investigate the role of glucocorticoid receptors and caspase activation in the induction of eosinophil apoptosis in glucocorticoid-sensitive and glucocorticoid-resistant asthma.
A key process in asthma is inflammation caused by eosinophils, a type of white blood cell not found in healthy lungs. The researchers will investigate how steroid treatments cause the death of such cells, in order to develop further treatments for patients who are steroid-resistant.

£99,418 over three years to Drs Andrew J. Irving and Bruno Frenguelli (Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Dundee University) for a study linking hypoxia/ischaemia with altered glutamate receptor expression and dynamic changes in the neuronal cytoskeleton.
Neurodegeneration following reduced blood flow and oxygen deprivation involves the production of certain receptor complexes which are activated by glutamate, intensifying the damage. By studying these neurotoxic receptors this research hopes to find a way to modify the neurone damage and prevent loss of normal functioning.

£57,638 over 18 months to Dr Alan J. Johnstone (Orthopaedic Surgery, Aberdeen University) to investigate the regenerative potential of meniscal cartilage exposed to recombinant growth factors in vivo.
Injuries to knee joints are fairly common and often involve the supporting structures such as the meniscal cartilages. This research will investigate the potential for regeneration of such structures, when exposed to growth factors.

The Mrs Jean V. Baxter Medical Research Fellowship 2001-03 was awarded to Mr Ian Stewart Currie (Clinical & Surgical Sciences, Edinburgh University) for an investigation of the role of mitochondria in ischaemic preconditioning and apoptosis in liver surgery.

Mrs Robina Menzies Smith Medical Research Scholarship 2001-02 was awarded to Mrs Pamela Alexandra Barker (Surgery, Aberdeen University) for a study of the modulation of protein kinase C intracellular signalling pathways, invasive potential and apoptosis in prostate cancer by conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

The Cruden Medical Research Scholarship 2001-02 was awarded to Dr Gregor M. Walker (Neuroscience & Biomedical Systems, Glasgow University) for the determination of the role of superoxide dismutase in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Research Workshops

Drs Scott Williamson (Neonatal Unit, Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital), Lesley Jackson (Tayside Institute of Child Health, Dundee) & Charles Skeoch (Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital) - "Helping rattling babies - present and future research in neonatal abstinence syndrome."