Awards made during 2002-03
£71,758 over two years to Dr Moffat J. Nyirenda & Professor Jonathan R. Seckl (Molecular Medicine Centre, Edinburgh University) for an investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying induction of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) expression in prenatal glucocorticoid exposure and programming of adult hypoglycaemia.
There is a known link between low weight at birth and an increased likelihood to develop diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. By studying a liver enzyme which catalyses the synthesis of glucose, this research aims to look at potential reasons for this link.
£57,593 to Dr Jon Martin Collinson (Biomedical Sciences, Aberdeen University) for a one-year investigation of the molecular basis of cell-surface abnormalities in eye disease resulting from mutations in the transcription factor Pax6.
Pax6 eye gene mutations cause sight-threatening abnormalities for which surgery is often ineffective. This research will study the cell surfaces on normal and mutated eyes to understand how such mutations cause sight problems.
£42,965 over one year to Drs Trevor R. Walker & Ian Dransfield and Professor Christopher Haslett (Centre for Inflammation Research, Edinburgh University) to study inflammatory cells and lung injury, using imagine activation of neutrophil function by integrin-mediated adhesion.
Leukocytes (white blood cells) are part of the body's natural cellular defence mechanisms. However, sometimes they can over-react causing cell damage, particularly if they are in prolonged contact with blood vessel walls. By studying the cellular effects which result when this prolongation occurs, this research seeks to establish the trigger from defence to damage.
£63,236 over 18 months to Dr Neil McLennan & Professor David W. Melton (Molecular Medicine Centre, Edinburgh University) to study the role of the prion protein in protecting the brain from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is known to cause damage to neurones in diseases such as Parkinson's.
This research seeks to establish if prion proteins have a role in protecting neurons from oxidative stress, which would protect the brain and its functioning.
£80,000 over two years to Dr Julia V. Marley & Professor A. Neil Turner (Renal & Autoimmunity Group, Centre for Inflammation Research, Edinburgh University) for a study of the manipulation of tolerance to the Goodpasture autoantigen.
Immune tolerance is the natural process by which the body protects itself from self-attack by its own immune system. However, this fails in kidney inflammation, for example that occurring in Goodpasture's Disease. This research aims to alter the immune response to improve tolerance when it fails.
The Mrs Jean V. Baxter Medical Research Fellowship 2003-05 was awarded to Mr Stephen A. Boyce (Pathology, Edinburgh University) to investigate the role of the retinoblastoma gene in liver biology
The Mrs Robina Menzies Smith Medical Research Scholarship 2003-04 was awarded to Dr Stuart Suttie (Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary) for research into the prediction of response to chemotherapy inpatients with oesophageal cancer, using positron emission tomography (PET).
The Cruden Medical Research Scholarship 2003-04 was awarded to Dr Claire A. Higgins (Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital) to carry out a serial analysis of protein expression in anogenital lichen sclerosus.
Research Workshops
Dr Gwyneth Rees (Department of Nursing & Midwifery, Stirling University) on the subject of evaluating Integrated Care Pathways (ICP) in Community Mental Health Teams.
Dr Guro Juby (General Practice Section, School of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, Edinburgh University) to consider mutual learning among integrated and rapid-response teams for care of the elderly in the Borders, Fife and West Lothian areas - using a Care Pathway Evaluation methodology.
Dr Heather Wilkinson (Centre for Research on Families & Relationships, Edinburgh University) on the subject of sharing information on current research and practice on delayed discharge and generating collaboration for dissemination on this topic.
Dr David E. Newby (Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh) to consider clinical research techniques in cardiorespiratory medicine.