News
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.
Falling demand signals shift in Scotland’s rural land market
Scotland’s rural land market is showing signs of cooling, with falling demand in key sectors such as commercial forestry and natural capital investment.
New analysis from the Scottish Land Commission and Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) reveals how economic and political uncertainty have reshaped rural land market activity over the past year.
Source: Business Insider
University set to host £750m national supercomputer
The University of Edinburgh has been announced as the home of the UK's next national supercomputer.
The significant investment represents a huge endorsement of the University and its future as a world-leader in supercomputing and AI, recognising the strength and value of Edinburgh’s expertise.
Approval for project creating tropical seafood using AI in a shipping container
Scientists are set to use a shipping container to help them develop tropical seafood using artificial intelligence on land in Midlothian.
Midlothian Council planners have given the go ahead for the container to be placed on Dryden Farm, Roslin, which is owned by the University of Edinburgh.
Source: Business Insider
Heriot-Watt aims to raise £35 million for new brewing and distilling centre
Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University is seeking to raise £35m in order to realise its vision of building a new Centre for Sustainable Brewing and Distilling (CSBD).
Source: Business Insider