News
Gene-edited pigs approved for US market
Pigs produced to be resistant to one of the world’s most costly livestock diseases, using technology developed by the Roslin Institute, have been approved for sale to US consumers.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a gene-editing technology that makes pigs resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) for the US food supply chain.
Scotland is critical to UK growth - but more must be done to harness potential
A wave of global instability heralds the start of what the Prime Minister has referred to as a ‘post-globalisation era’ in which a rules-based international system is abandoned by governments in favour of cutting deals based on their ‘national interests’.
Source: Business Insider
Ana Stewart appointed as chief entrepreneur
Ana Stewart has been appointed as the Scottish Government’s new chief entrepreneur.
She will take up the role until July next year, acting as the chief advisor to government on growing the start-up and scale-up economy.
Source: Business Insider
Scottish universities awarded £2m to ‘shape the future of science’
Five Scottish projects have been awarded more than £2m to tackle some of the most pressing health and environmental challenges.
Researchers based at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow have secured part of a £9m government fund for their projects which are poised “to push the boundaries of knowledge”.
Source: Holyrood
Scotland poised to become ‘world-leader’ in quantum computing with £9m government funding
The UK Government has awarded £8.9m to three Scottish universities to help position Scotland and the UK as a “world-leader in quantum”. One quantum laboratory and two research hubs have secured a share of a new £121m fund to help tackle challenges including crimefighting, fraud, and money laundering.
Source: Holyrood
A new louping ill vaccine – can you help us bring a new vaccine to market?
Moredun have developed a new generation vaccine against louping ill virus (LIV) in sheep. Although this tick-borne viral disease can infect many species, including cattle, horses, dogs and humans, it is particularly devastating to sheep and red grouse.
Growth target: Can Scotland's life sciences sector hit £25bn by 2035?
By its own measure, Scotland’s life sciences sector is an overachiever. Leaders hoped it would reach a turnover of £8bn by 2025. Reaching that target, set in 2017, meant doubling the value of the sector within just eight years, driving growth in everything from drug development to agriculture.
Source: Holyrood
The Scottish tech ecosystem is showing significant momentum
Over the past decade or so, Scotland has developed a burgeoning technology ecosystem, with a growing number of companies adding significant value to the economy and supporting innovation in key areas such as net zero and life sciences.
Source: Business Insider
Wobble Genomics at the forefront of RNA Sequencing
Midlothian Science Zone Business Forum took place on Tuesday 18th March 2025 led by Wobble Genomics, specialists in long-read RNA sequencing. This cutting-edge technique of next generation sequencing reads lengthy sequences of RNA molecules, which offers a more comprehensive view of genetic information in the detection of genetic variations, compared to traditional short-read.
Scottish Secretary focusses on jobs and investment in USA visit
Jobs and investment in Scotland will be top of the agenda today [Thursday 3 April] when Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, Lord Mayor of London Alastair King and Scottish Financial Enterprise Chief Executive Sandy Begbie meet key sectors in a series of meetings in New York during Tartan Week.