In the study, primarily funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and published in Nature, the scientists say that discovering the mechanism will support ongoing clinical trials, and could lead to: the targeted use of aspirin to prevent the spread of susceptible types of cancer the development of more effective drugs to prevent cancer metastasis The scientists caution that, in some people, aspirin can have serious side effects. Clinical trials are underway to determine how to use it safely and effectively to prevent cancer spread, so people should consult their doctor before starting to take it. A reduction in the…
Author: UKRI
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For the first time, genomic data for over 37,000 children and parents collected over multiple decades from across the UK is now available to researchers worldwide. The data release is led by: Wellcome Sanger Institute Children of the 90s (also known as ALSPAC) Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) Born in Bradford (BiB) The data release is supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Medical Research Council (MRC). Birth cohorts Previously, large DNA sequence datasets typically focused on children with rare conditions or adult population cohorts. This new data release is the first time the focus has been on…
The winter months bring challenges for all of us, be it keeping fit, staying warm or eating healthily. The long nights and cold weather can act as disincentives and conditions such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can make things even harder, but innovative research can help people tackle these barriers. SAD, often more apparent during winter, is a lived experience that affects a considerable number of people in the UK. People can experience: lowered moods feelings of anxiety isolation lack of energy changes in sleep and appetite This can lead to unhealthy physical and mental health conditions. While the exact…
The project was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) as part of its precision medicine initiative to ensure that the right drug is given to the right patient, at the right time. The study, published in the Lancet, has developed an innovative way of identifying the most effective glucose-lowering drugs for a person with type 2 diabetes. By predicting which drug will lead to the largest reduction in blood glucose levels, the easy-to-use tool could pave the way for better health for millions, at the push of a button. Careful management of blood glucose levels is essential for reducing…
The procedure involves a combination of a diagnostic test using a newly developed Medical Research Council-funded (MRC) molecular tracer, a PET scanning method and an endoscopic procedure, known as Targeted Thermal Therapy (Triple T). It has the potential to help many people living with primary aldosteronism. Chris Miller, a patient who recently underwent Triple T said: After the procedure, I haven’t had any issues with blood pressure, I’m cured. I thought I could be battling with high blood pressure for the rest of my life and now it’s not a problem. Primary aldosteronism High blood pressure affects between a quarter…
Regulation has the power to accelerate innovation by providing confidence to innovators, certainty for investors and a boost to consumer confidence. Regulations can, however, struggle to keep pace with the speed of technological advances, which can discourage investment and innovation. By creating networks that develop new tools, data sets and approaches using regulatory science, it’s hoped this investment will give policymakers access to the research and evidence to future-proof regulations. First strand in healthcare Innovate UK recently announced to lead the way in safer, faster, regulatory pathways for innovative products and services, specifically for the healthcare sector. This human-health strand,…
The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards is celebrating 50 women leading the charge in groundbreaking industries. From revolutionary peat-free farming solutions, to continuous green electricity, to an artificial intelligence (AI) powered platform that streamlines allergy management in schools. This year’s winners, from Edinburgh to Southampton and Cardiff to Belfast, are tackling critical social, environmental and economic challenges, creating a robust pipeline of women-led businesses for future investment. Each will receive a £75,000 grant, personalised business coaching, and access to networking, role modelling and training opportunities. Breaking barriers to success Research highlights significant hurdles for women entrepreneurs, including access to…
View the report at: Clinical researchers in the UK: reversing the decline to improve population health and promote economic growth. The report says that “[f]uture clinical research is under threat due to a clearly documented decline in clinical research staff, both in absolute numbers and – more strikingly – in proportion to the expanding NHS workforce”. It calls for a series of measures to be taken to address the decline, which include: establishing a national clinical research career framework enabling more flexible training pathways encouraging leaders and mentors ensuring more equitable pay and opportunities Decline in clinically trained researchers Clinically…
Research funded by MRC has led to spin-out companies with an economic value of greater than £6.1 billion. This has created more than 3,800 jobs and attracted £10.2 billion of external investment, according to new analysis published today. Independent evaluation The report was conducted by independent evaluator Ipsos UK. It was commissioned to establish an overview of the investment and growth outcomes achieved by spin-outs that have been linked to intellectual property developed with MRC’s funding. Commercialising technologies linked to MRC-funded research Ipsos UK collected an initial dataset that included details of companies established to commercialise technologies linked to MRC-funded…
Pioneering use of artificial intelligence (AI) could cut the time it takes to bring life-saving treatments to patients. This represents just one example of innovation being championed by the UK’s seven new regulatory science powerhouses. Innovate UK, in partnership with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Office for Life Sciences and the Medical Research Council (MRC), has announced seven CERSIs. Advancing regulatory science The projects will be led by academic institutions, independent innovators or regulatory leaders forming collaborative partnerships. Projects will receive funding up to £1 million each, to lead the way in safer, faster pathways for innovative…