Medical Research Council

We recently celebrated the opening of the Functional Genomics Screening Laboratory (FGSL) in Cambridge, a unique cross-sector partnership co-funded by Milner Therapeutics Institute , Medical Research Council and AstraZeneca, that is central to the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative . The newly launched FGSL supports world-class research in the rapidly advancing field of functional genomics, which explores links between genes and diseases to uncover new therapeutic targets and accelerate drug discovery. It will be the first centre in the UK to offer advanced CRISPR screening on this scale for chronic diseases through collaborations with researchers across the UK. Genomics is an integral part of our R&D strategy at AstraZeneca and we believe scientific innovation and collaboration go hand-in-hand. We look forward to the insights this pioneering partnership will unlock as we share resources and expertise to push the boundaries of what science can do. 📣 Proposals to collaborate with the FGSL can be submitted here: https://learn.az/6045FK68S #WhatScienceCanDo #FunctionalGenomics Photo credits: Eames Photography and Lloyd Mann.

Scientists have developed a new technique that has enabled ultra-powerful MRI scanners to identify tiny differences in patients’ brains that cause treatment-resistant epilepsy. This is the first study to use this approach and has allowed doctors at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to offer the patients surgery to cure their condition. Previously, 7T MRI scanners – so called because they operate using a 7 Tesla magnetic field, more than double the strength of previous 3T scanners – have suffered from signal blackspots in crucial parts of the brain. But in research out today, researchers from the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre and Université Paris-Saclay have used a technique that overcomes this problem. Dr Thomas Cope from the Department of Clinical Neurosciences Cambridge said: “Having epilepsy that doesn’t respond to anti-seizure medications can have a huge impact on patients’ lives, often affecting their independence and their ability to maintain a job. We know we can cure many of these patients, but that requires us to be able to pinpoint exactly where in the brain is the root of their seizures. “7T scanners have shown promise over the past few years since their introduction, and now, thanks to this new technique, more epilepsy patients will be eligible for life-changing surgery.” Around 360,000 people in the UK have a condition known as focal epilepsy, which causes seizures to spread from part of the brain. A third of these individuals have persistent seizures despite medication, and the only treatment that can cure their condition is surgery. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/e3ARqunU #CambridgeUniversity #CambridgeResearch

To make sure research is relevant and has wide benefit it must be inclusive. To avoid bias in research, involving a diverse group of participants, or female and male animal subjects, should always be the aim. To develop the MRC policy on inclusive research design "Embedding Diversity in Research Design", we assessed around 600 grant applications and over 700 researcher questionnaires. We describe this evidence-based process for developing a novel research funding policy in our new publication: https://lnkd.in/e3ttewTH

Hold the date - 22nd October 2025 for hybrid event! The MRC, Greener NHS and the NIHR have set the day for their next joint conference on environmental sustainability in the healthcare sector and medical research. We will be reporting on actions taken since the report was published and discuss promoting talent and building capacity in our sector towards environmental sustainability. We'll also aim to discuss the successes and hurdles in transforming complex healthcare and research facilities. We will aim to share further details about the conference in the next few months.

We're excited to announce a brand new £10m centre dedicated to Parkinson's research, in partnership with Parkinson's UK 🙌👏 The centre will identify new approaches to Parkinson’s prediction and prevention, alongside the development and testing of new treatments to prevent the onset, and slow or even reverse the progression of the condition. The UK DRI and Parkinson’s UK will each invest £5 million over five years to drive forward vital research. We will recruit and bring together leading Parkinson’s researchers, enabling them to benefit from the world-class environment at the UK DRI. Parkinson’s UK will bring additional support, including access to the Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech - their global drug discovery and development programme, in partnership with the Parkinson’s Foundation - support with patient and public involvement in research, and data and samples from the Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank. Prof Siddharthan Chandran, UK DRI Director, said: "As the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, we urgently need to progress research to discover the causes of Parkinson’s, develop new treatments, and deliver solutions to support people to live well for longer. At the UK DRI, our researchers are already doing important work in this space, and this new partnership will allow us to scale and accelerate these discoveries to improve the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s." The search for a Centre Director will begin immediately, with full job pack available here👉https://buff.ly/5Bb9PhS Read the full story ⬇️