News: Biotechnology & Life Sciences
Promoting public engagement on increasingly complex science issues and encouraging more people to choose science as a career are the key issues to be tackled by a ... more
The details of a multi-million pound investment program to develop large-scale research facilities throughout the UK were announced by the UKmore
The UK government is currently revising its legislation governing assisted reproduction and embryo research, taking into account developments in science and socie ... more
Biotechnology & Life Sciences
The UK is one of the world's major centers for investment in the life sciences and biotechnology. Research is a priority for the UK Government in order to ensure good public health, to serve as a prime economic driver for the country, and to spur rapid developments in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. A few of the many highlights from this rich field are illustrated below: regenerative medicine, brain science, post-genomic medicine and biosecurity.
Regenerative Medicine
The pioneering fields of tissue engineering and stem cell therapy are working toward the revolutionary prospect of repair or replacement of failing tissues and organs. Stem cells may also offer opportunities to develop cell-based alternatives to animal experimentation. The UK is among the world leaders in the field and has founded a national Stem Cell Bank to supply ethically-sourced, quality-controlled stem cell lines to public and private researchers in the UK and overseas.
- UK Scientists Open the Door to Repairing Spinal Cord Injuries : Published: 21 January 2021
- Pioneering a Collaborative Model for Stem Cell Research : Tendo
- Tissue Engineering Pioneer Takes Her Work Personally : Tendo
+ Other Biotechnology & Life Sciences websites
Brain Science
Understanding the brain, its function in health and disease, and how it interacts with our environment are a few of the great research challenges of our time. Brain science includes study of a wide range of illnesses and conditions from mental illness to neurodegenerative diseases. It is a key multi-disciplinary cross-research council program and one of the key areas for the UK Medical Research Council's 10-year research vision.+ Other Biotechnology & Life Sciences websites
Post-genomic Medicine
Exploiting and extending the knowledge gained through the Human Genome Project to develop a greater understanding of the molecular basis of health and disease is a major priority for UK biomedical research. This includes funding the world's largest study of the role of nature and nurture in health and disease, creating a powerful resource to enable researchers to uncover the genetic, environmental and lifestyle risk factors for many common disorders.+ Other Biotechnology & Life Sciences websites
Infectious Disease/BioSecurity
The UK supports a significant body of basic and clinical research aimed at developing improved diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics and other control strategies to alleviate the social and economic burden of infectious disease at home and abroad. This considerable expertise in microbial hazards to health is highly relevant to addressing the potential threat of bioterrorist attacks. The UK Government has developed a clear view of the research needed to counter these threats and is committed to harnessing the best science and technology available.- Government Contracts to be Placed for Supply of Avian Influenza Vaccine : Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Bird Flu in Dead Swan in Fife, Scotland : Scottish Executive
- UK Welcomes Adoption of Avian Influenza Directive : Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Revised Avian Influenza Contingency Plan Before Parliament : Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Secretary of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Welcomes Independent Quarantine Review : Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- UK Plays Key Role in the Fight Against Bioterrorism : Tendo