Translational medicine

Translational medicine

Translational medicine is the concept of “bench to bedside” research to speed up the development of drugs and Scotland has taken a pioneering role in revolutionary approach to healthcare.

Translational medicine research is the catalyst to “fast-track” health discoveries from the lab into clinical practice and, as a result, has created an exciting environment in Scotland in which to work, bringing biomedical researchers closer to the patients they want to help.

Scotland’s strengths in translational medicine

Scotland’s key translational medicine strengths include:

• Established national clinical research network
• Excellence in patient record keeping from birth to death
• A stable, genetically homogenous population
• Ability to study patient groups across the country
• Patient interest to contribute to medical research

Working in translational medicine in Scotland

A major benefit of translational medicine is the number of new research jobs created across Scotland’s universities and in the private sector.  Translational medicine covers a wide range of employers in Scotland across all life science sub-sectors. 

Find more about Scotland's life sciences companies 

View the latest job opportunities in life sciences in Scotland 

Education and research in translational medicine

The world’s first Translational Medicine Research Collaboration (TMRC) was established in Scotland in 2006. Pfizer, one the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, agreed a £50 million collaborative research programme with four of Scotland’s leading medical universities, four NHS trusts and Scottish Enterprise. TMRC focuses on developing drugs and treatments for cancer, cardio-vascular and central nervous system diseases as well as diabetes and osteoporosis.

Scotland has an established national clinical research network plus excellent patient records, and there is a general interest amongst patients in helping medical research, all of which makes it easy to study patient groups across the country.

Another benefit of translational medicine is the number of new research jobs created across Scotland’s universities. As a result of this new approach The University of Edinburgh runs an online Translational Medicine programme, which is now in its third year and expecting to graduate its first students in 2010.

Scottish participants of the Translational Medicine Research Collaboration:

• University of Aberdeen
• University of Dundee
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• NHS Greater Glasgow
• NHS Grampian
• NHS Lothian
• NHS Tayside
• Scottish Enterprise
• Scottish Development International

Find out more about academic departments and research institutes in Scotland