Latest News
HRH The Princess Royal becomes Patron of Medical Research Scotland
Medical Research Scotland is delighted and honoured that HRH The Princess Royal has graciously agreed to become its first Royal Patron.
Commenting on the news, Chairman, Professor S. Moira Brown said: "I am delighted that Her Royal Highness has honoured us by becoming our Royal Patron. We have played a major part in funding medical research in Scotland for over 50 years and I am sure that the involvement of Her Royal Highness will greatly enhance public awareness of Medical Research Scotland.".
Research Project Grants Awarded
At their meeting in February 2008, the Members of Medical Research Scotland agreed that Research Project Grants should be awarded as follows:
- Dr Gareth B. Miles (School of Biology, University of St Andrews) for a three-year project to test the 'synaptic stripping' hypothesis for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), by an investigation of cholinergic synapses on motoneurones in ALS.
- Dr Ada Delaney (Centre for Neuroscience Research, Royal [Dick] School of Veterinary Studies) and colleagues, Professor Susan M. Fleetwood-Walker (Centre for Neuroscience Research, Royal [Dick] School of Veterinary Studies), Dr Rory Mitchell (Centre for Integrative Physiology) Dr Lesley Colvin (Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Western General Hospital) and Professor Marie Fallon (CRUK Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Western General Hospital), all of the University of Edinburgh, for a two-year investigation aimed at gaining new insights into evidence-based pain management for cancer-induced bone pain.
- Dr Andrew C. Stanfield and colleagues Professors Eve Johnstone & Stephen M. Lawrie (all of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh) and Professor Peter M. McKenna (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Glasgow), over 30 months for aclinical, neuropsychological and MRI study comparing autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
February 2008 - Meeting Summary
The Members of Medical Research Scotland met on Tuesday 12th February, 2008. The main points of discussion were as follows:
- Membership - The Chairman welcomed Professors Margarete Heck, Allan Mowat and Stephen Wigmore to their first meeting as Members. The Members unanimously re-appointed the Chairman and Vice-Chairman for a further year, noted a report from the Secretaries on membership rotation and agreed that they would discuss this matter further at their August meeting.
- Funding for Research - After consideration and discussion of all the applications received and the referees' reports on them, the Members agreed to award three Research Project Grants, all subject to some minor modifications. The Members had previously scored a number of Progress and Final Reports submitted by current and recent grantholders and it was noted that all were scored as being Satisfactory or better. The Scientific Adviser explained some adjustments to the reporting procedures and report forms, which were approved by the Members. It was noted that the new Set-up Report (required at 6 months) would serve to enable the Scientific Adviser to ensure that a project is running as expected.
- Standard Conditions Applying to the Award of Medical Research Scotland Funding - the Members approved the minor amendments to these which were now necessary to accommodate the revised reporting procedures.
- Research Strategy - having previously agreed that this should be reviewed and updated as appropriately on an annual basis, the Members noted the updated version.
- Investments - the Members received and noted a report from the Investment Managers on investment performance for the three-month period to 31st December, 2008.
- Secretarial/Administrative matters - the Members considered several items, including the possible further revision of the format and content of the Annual Review.
Further information may be available on request.