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MRC Human Genetics Unit makes Centenary Award to young investigators:July 2012
In advance of the centenary of the MRC in 2013, the Unit was allocated over £250,000 to make awards to young MRC investigators which will enable them to carry out novel research and which will boost their career development.
We have made 8 awards to 10 Unit scientists as follows:
Louise Bicknell and David Hunt: to fund exome sequencing of patients with focal neuroinflammatory disease to investigate somatic mutations.
Celine Courilleau and Pierre Therizols: to test the role of nuclear pore complexes in organisation of heterochromatin.
Xu Gu: to build mathematical models of genetic interactions in limb development.
Xianghua (CC) Li: to use computational analysis and a Drosophila model to investigate new antiepileptic drugs.
Leisha Nolen: to produce a mouse model of the limb defects of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome and examine chromatin compaction.
Pradeepa Marulasiddappa: to study a novel, alternative mechanism of HIV integration into the host genome.
Martin Reijns: to use a yeast model to assess the contribution of DNA polymerase alpha to overall DNA synthesis.
Kerrie Taylor: to examine the role of PRL3 in mouse melanocyte stem cell using a mouse knockout
Research Media Ltd, Interview: Professor Nick Hastie
Funding boost for genetic research: August 2012
Almost £60 million of awards from the Medical Research Council (MRC) will help scientists gain fresh insights into illnesses and inherited disorders.
The funding to the University’s MRC Human Genetics Unit and the MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (IGMM) will help doctors develop and deliver new tests and therapies for patients.
It will boost research into conditions such as schizophrenia, cystic fibrosis and genetic eye disorders including retinitis pigmentosa, coloboma and anophthalmia.
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Funding boost for genetic research from University of Edinburgh Media on Vimeo.
"The challenge we face is to work out how human genes work together to build a human. We also want to find out how subtle DNA differences help shape human diversity and influence susceptibility to a wide range of common diseases. This funding will help us to turn the potential of the genetic revolution into reality."
Professor Nick Hastie: Director of the Medical Research Council IGMM and Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit at the University of Edinburgh.
World-leading genetics research
The IGMM became one of the largest centres for human genetics research and molecular medicine in Europe when the MRC Human Genetics Unit joined the University. The funding - paid over the next five years - consolidates its position as a world leader in genetics research.
"The Human Genetics Unit and IGMM are a shining example of the kind of partnership working needed to address the challenges of 21st century research. The MRC is proud to continue its support for these establishments and their drive to transform discoveries about the human genome into benefits for human health."
Dr Wendy Ewart: Deputy Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council
The IGMM is a partnership between the Medical Research Council, the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research UK.
Links
- BBC News: Edinburgh genetics institute in £60m funding boost
- Herald Scotland: £60m for Scots medical research
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