News
Moredun opens upgraded High Security Unit to support research to protect animal and public health
Moredun Research Institute has opened its upgraded High Security Unit (HSU) following a major programme of refurbishment and sustainability works, strengthening Scotland’s role in protecting animal and public health.
The upgraded facility was officially opened by MP for Midlothian, Kirsty McNeill, marking the completion of works designed to secure the long-term future of one of the UK’s high-containment research facilities.
Axol Bioscience to expand in Edinburgh after $2.8m funding deal
Axol Bioscience has secured $2.8 million (around £2.1 million) in funding, part of which will be used to expand its operations in Edinburgh.
The investment was led by US life sciences specialist BroadOak Capital Partners, with the company’s founding investor, the Roslin Foundation, also participating.
Source: Scottish Financial News
Advancing Microbiological Testing with Moredun Scientific
Midlothian Science Zone Business Forum took place on Tuesday 9th December 2025 at Pentlands Science Park, for a presentation and introduction to Moredun Scientific Ltd, to hear more about the company’s biosafety and microbiological testing services.
Associate feature: A Manifesto for Health and Growth
Every advance in medicines – from vaccines to treatments that extend life – depends on strong partnerships between government, the NHS, academia and industry. This “triple helix” drives Scotland’s life sciences growth, contributing over £1.7 billion to the economy and supporting 15,000 high-value jobs.
Source: Holyrood
Scottish scientists to lead world's first study on antibiotic resistance in pets
A team of scientists in the Highlands is set to lead the world’s first nationwide study into antibiotic resistance in cats and dogs. Based in Inverness, the research group from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) will work with the UK Government’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to launch a new surveillance programme aimed at detecting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthy
Source: STV
Moredun welcomes Dr Anita Jaglarz as new Head of Aquaculture Research Group
The Moredun Group has welcomed back Dr Anita Jaglarz as Head of the Aquaculture Research Group (ARG). Anita began her career at Moredun in 2006, initially working as a research scientist in the bacteriology department on mastitis research. When the ARG was formed in 2013, she joined as a postdoctoral researcher despite having no prior experience with aquatic species or the aquaculture industry. Her strong background in biotechnology and enthusiasm for learning quickly made her a valued member of the team.
Nationwide study set to improve poultry welfare
A new £500k commercial poultry catching and handling study is aiming to improve the welfare of farmed birds throughout Britain.
Led by SRUC and the University of Bristol, the comprehensive collaboration between academic research teams, industry, Humane Slaughter Association and a poultry veterinary consultant is set to take place over three years and will collect data from over 100 commercial poultry flocks, leading to best practise for poultry wellbeing.
Hub to aid precision breeding of future farm animals
Edinburgh experts will receive almost £5 million to establish a new hub at the University’s Roslin Institute, based at the Easter Bush campus, to drive advances in engineering biology – a major innovation focus for the UK Government.
The hub will focus on research to identify and study small changes to DNA in animals to advance sustainable agriculture and control diseases.
Equity investment in Scotland’s smaller businesses bounces back
Smaller firms in Scotland saw increased levels of equity investment in 2024, as London became less dominant and the wider UK saw a collective decline.
That's according to the British Business Bank’s annual Small Business Equity Tracker , which showed that equity deals involving small businesses in Scotland totalled £507m last year; up 28.3% on 2023’s £395m.
Source: Business Insider
Fat recycling mechanism could boost salmon health
Aquaculture experts, in collaboration with the University of Glasgow, University of Stirling and Benchmark Genetics, have identified a fat recycling process in Atlantic salmon cells that could help enable healthier feed strategies and improved disease resilience.
This process helps break down excess fat inside cells, and its discovery could play a major role in tackling the challenges of modern salmon diets.