Edinburgh BioQuarter

23/02/2026

A promising new approach to help pinpoint inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis is in the works thanks to researchers at The University of Edinburgh's Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR).

Traditional methods have been known to be invasive and uncomfortable, but this new test, which analyses immune cell signals in the blood, may help clinicians distinguish IBD from other causes of gut symptoms more accurately and earlier. 📊

By identifying specific patterns of immune activity, the test offers a targeted way to understand the causes of inflammation on an individual basis. Not only could this reduce the need for invasive procedures, but it also supports a more personalised approach to care for people with suspected IBD.

Find out more about the research here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/new-test-could-help-pinpoint-ibd-diagnosis



Edinburgh Medical School

A test that rapidly detects signs of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in stool samples could improve future diagnosis and monitoring of the condition, a study suggests.

19/02/2026

📣 Building on the success of previous sessions, our HPV vaccination awareness workshops are back!

We've already kicked things off at Holy Rood RC High School, reaching more than 200 pupils with the incredible support of the NHS Lothian vaccination team and our BioQuarter volunteers.

During the sessions, pupils:
🧠 Take part in an interactive HPV quiz
💉 Learn what to expect on vaccination day
👥 Explore how herd immunity works
🔬 View HPV-infected cells under a microscope

Did you know?
According to the NHS, the HPV vaccine can reduce the risk of cervical cancer by up to 87% when given at the recommended age - a powerful example of prevention in action.

We're proud to support young people in the local community in understanding this life-saving vaccine and feeling confident about their health decisions.

🔗 You can read about the impact of last year's workshops in this BBC feature:

The HPV vaccine programme, which started in 2008, has been hugely successful across Scotland.

10/02/2026

Researchers at The University of Edinburgh, in partnership with the University of Glasgow and industry collaborators, have demonstrated that a new Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radiotracer - LW223 - is safe and tolerable in healthy volunteers. This advanced imaging tool targets a protein involved in inflammation and could help clinicians visualise inflammatory processes in conditions from heart disease to neurological disorders.

LW223 overcomes limitations seen with previous tracers, making it potentially suitable for use across a broader population. This offers a valuable new approach for diagnosis, monitoring and future treatment research.

It's incredible to see this work type of bench-to-bedside innovation emerging from Edinburgh BioQuarter's campus. 🔬

Read more about the advanced technology here: https://bit.ly/4bMJ4J4

New Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radiotracer LW223 from the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow has been shown to be safe and tolerable in healthy humans.

07/01/2026

A new year for 🧪 👩‍🔬

Science Buddies is a brilliant opportunity for BioQuarter staff and students to become science “best friends” with local primary school pupils. Our buddies visit the same school over several weeks or months, building a real connection with the class while delivering fun, hands-on STEM activities.

Working closely with teachers, buddies help support a diverse science education and grow young people’s confidence and curiosity about the world around them. 🌍✨

Take a look at what some of the pupils from Prestonfield Primary School had to say about last year's programme in the video below. Capturing the spirit of the programme perfectly, pupils shared how they got to learn by doing and reflected on how science was made accessible and exciting.

We’re really looking forward to a fun and inspiring year of Science Buddying. Thank you to all the volunteers who’ve signed up to get involved!

31/12/2025

2025 at Edinburgh BioQuarter - A year of collaboration and impact 💫

This year has been a powerful reminder of what can happen when world-leading research, healthcare and industry leaders come together on one campus.

🌍 Welcoming global health leadership 🌍
In June, we proudly hosted the World Health Organisation Director-General for the official opening of the Usher Building at Edinburgh BioQuarter - a milestone moment for data-driven health and care innovation in Edinburgh.

🎓 Supporting the next generation 🎓
Our Summer Internship Programme continued to grow, offering a new crop of local high school pupils the experience of practical working placements in life sciences.

💡 Showcasing BioQuarter on the investment stage 💡
We also met with partners for a Global Investment Summit meeting, highlighting BioQuarter's progress and future ambition to become Edinburgh's Health Innovation District and strengthen connections that support our long-term growth.

🤝 Community and school engagement 🤝
Throughout 2025, our campus community has continued to connect with our neighbours - building opportunities and inspiration through education and outreach. Our team of 140 volunteers has delivered a range of programmes, reaching 366 primary school pupils from the community.

A big thank you to everyone across our campus - colleagues, partners, students and community collaborators - who have made these moments possible. We're excited to keep building on this momentum in 2026!

24/12/2025

With one more sleep until the big day, we'd like to wish everyone across our campus community a very Merry Christmas!🎄

Thank you to the researchers, clinicians, students, partners and teams who make Edinburgh BioQuarter a place where collaboration thrives. and life-changing work happens every day.

We wish you all a peaceful and joyful holiday.✨

18/12/2025

🎥 Learn about Scotland's first total-body scanner from Professor Dave Newby!

Unveiled at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh earlier this year, the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner offers a leap forward in diagnostics.

As the first of its kind in Scotland, the scanner transforms how we diagnose and treat some of the most complex health conditions, including cancer, dementia and heart disease.

As part of the national network, the scanner accelerates drug development, enables advanced AI and diagnostic tools and brings global collaborations within reach – all from right here in Edinburgh.

Footage courtesy of The University of Edinburgh's College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Communications team.

12/12/2025

Yesterday at the NINE, the team donned their best festive get-ups for Christmas Jumper Day! ⛄🎅

It was all in support of Save the Children UK, helping to bring a little extra joy to children and families who need it most at this time of year. Thank you to everyone who got involved and helped make the day such a cheerful one.

If you'd still like to donate, a collection container is available at the reception of NINE, or you can make a donation online using the link below. Any contribution, big or small, makes a difference. 💛

https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/

11/12/2025

A new study from The University of Edinburgh's Centre for Inflammation Research shows that when blood oxygen levels drop (known as hypoxia), it can reprogram key immune cells. This may leave people more vulnerable to infection even after oxygen levels return to normal.

Why does this matter?
These findings help explain why some patients suffer repeated infections after severe respiratory illnesses - and could guide future research into treatments that protect or restore immune function following oxygen loss.

At Edinburgh BioQuarter, our campus supports research like this every day — bringing scientists and clinicians together to turn fundamental discoveries into real-world healthcare solutions.

🔗 Read more: https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/oxygen-loss-raises-disease-risk-by-altering-genes

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02/12/2025

Earlier this winter, the UK Dementia Research Institute at Edinburgh BioQuarter welcomed Ian Murray MP to see first-hand how the team’s research connects directly to clinical care.

During his visit, Mr Murray toured the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, meeting nurses, researchers and trial specialists and hearing how AI and data-driven approaches are helping to shape the future of dementia diagnosis and treatment.

Visits like this are so important. They highlight the long-term research that sits behind major medical breakthroughs, and they show the value of bringing scientists and clinicians together in a shared, fully equipped environment. That close working helps ideas move faster from the lab to real patient impact - and supports the collaboration needed to tackle some of today’s biggest health challenges.

As we get ready for 2026, we’re looking forward to welcoming more visits like this and continuing to showcase the incredible work happening across Edinburgh BioQuarter.

26/11/2025

Meet Dr Thomas Williams – Clinical Research Fellow at The University of Edinburgh, whose work is helping protect babies from serious respiratory illness.

His research focuses on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – a major cause of respiratory infections in infants. Just two years ago, there were no widely available ways to prevent severe disease. But thanks to new maternal vaccines and antibody treatments, that’s changing.

Dr Williams and his team are now tracking how these innovations work in the real world – and the early results are promising. 👇

✔ Published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health
✔ Cited by the World Health Organisation in global RSV guidance
✔ Used by the UK Health Security Agency in vaccine campaigns
✔ Shared in national webinars with midwives and paediatricians

This winter, he’s hopeful that their work will mean fewer babies in hospital, less stress for families, and some much-needed relief for NHS staff.

➡️ Learn more about how BioQuarter researchers are helping shape the future of health by visiting our website: https://bit.ly/4oeKHS7

03/11/2025

🧠 Pioneering research in childhood epilepsy detection

A £2m project at The University of Edinburgh is developing a portable brainwave tool to help detect childhood epilepsy earlier – including severe forms such as infantile spasms.

This vital work is taking place here at Edinburgh BioQuarter, where teams from The School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, the Usher Institute - The University of Edinburgh, and NHS Lothian are working alongside patient charities and families to create practical tools that could transform diagnosis and treatment. 🤝

Using state-of-the-art facilities in the Usher Building and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, researchers are combining engineering and clinical expertise to drive innovation in patient care.

We’re proud that our collaborative campus brings together world-leading research, healthcare, and industry partners — working side by side to deliver breakthroughs that improve lives and shape the future of health. 🌟

👉 Read more: https://edin.ac/485SVYv