Medical Research Council

We’re delighted to welcome Prof Cathie Sudlow OBE as Director of the Adolescent Health Study. Funded by the UK Research and Innovation’s Infrastructure Fund through MRC, the study will follow the health of 100,000 adolescents over 10 years, collecting biological and lifestyle data so we can understand how these shape the health and wellbeing of adolescents. Professor Sudlow will begin work to develop the initial pilot phase of the study which will be co-designed with young people and diverse groups of partners. For more than 60 years, we’ve supported an unparalleled range of longitudinal population studies, including UK Biobank which has collected biological and medical data on half a million UK adults. However, there is a critical gap covering the transition from childhood and adolescence into adulthood, which the AHS will address. AHS Director, Cathie Sudlow, said: “I am excited to be leading the creation of the Adolescent Health Study resource. We are in a period of profound socioeconomic and cultural change. "It is critically important that we understand the impacts on the health and wellbeing of young people. "The study is already working actively with a young people’s advisory group. "Young people are helping to shape the Adolescent Health Study, including our plans for recruiting and following participants, and the data and samples we will collect.” MRC Executive Chair, Professor Patrick Chinnery, said: “I’d like to congratulate Professor Sudlow on her appointment. "Under her leadership I know the AHS is in great hands and will fulfil MRC’s vision to ensure a strong scientific foundation for effective strategies to improve young people’s health and reduce health disparities "The study will become a key national infrastructure, contributing to the UK’s world-leading research assets, underpinned by a wealth of longitudinal population-based studies. "It will learn from and complement other studies, such as the ESRC-led Early Life Cohort, and will be part of Population Research UK." Head to our website for the full news story.

Exciting news in functional genomics! 🧬 We’re delighted to welcome Professor Jonathan Mill, from the University of Exeter, as our newly appointed Director of the Human Functional Genomics Initiative. We’re also pleased to announce funding for four functional genomics research clusters, together with BBSRC. These clusters will support the development of new tools and technologies in functional genomics. More about them and the Human Functional Genomics Initiative: https://orlo.uk/QzXNH The Human Functional Genomics Initiative aims to advance our understanding of how genomic variation influences human physiology over time and in disease, so we can identify potential drug targets and develop new treatments. MRC Executive Chair, Professor Patrick Chinnery, said: “This is an exciting time for UK functional genomics research. "With MRC’s support the convergence of recent advances in gene-editing technology, artificial intelligence, and other technologies will allow us to answer research questions in ways that would have previously been impossible. The Human Functional Genomics Initiative is key to advancing the UKRI’s strategic priority to securing better health, ageing, and wellbeing”.

Doctoral students: are you curious about how research feeds into policy? Our Policy Internship Scheme is open for applications! You'll undertake a three-month placement at an influential policy organisation, gaining training and experience in a policy area agreed by your host. Whether your ideal career lies inside or outside of academia, it's a great way to expand your horizons and understand how research makes a difference to society. The scheme is open to doctoral students funded by UKRI and our research councils: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council, Medical Research Council, NERC: Natural Environment Research Council and STFC. Find out more and how to apply: https://orlo.uk/z2M5o Open until 2 October #Policy #Internship #DoctoralStudents

We welcome the new UK Code of Practice developed to support researchers working with stem cell-based embryo models (SCBEMs). It’s important to build public trust in this new and growing field of research. The new Code of Practice will provide clarity about how SCBEMs should be used and regulated, to bring greater transparency and openness to the research. The new Code of Practice forms an important component of the review of the ethics and governance of these models, led by Nuffield Council on Bioethics ➡ https://lnkd.in/eieAP_-D

🚨 Job Posting Alert - Closing Soon! 🚨 Exciting opportunities are still available at our organization, but act fast—they're closing soon! If you're passionate about leading cutting-edge research and making a significant impact in the fields of health and medicine, we want to hear from you. 🔍 Head of Theme - Population Health Research Infrastructure Lead our efforts in advancing population health research. Your expertise will drive innovations that improve health outcomes on a large scale. 🔍 Head of Theme (1 X Population & Systems Medicine and 1 X Neurosciences and Mental Health) We have two vital roles open: Population & Systems Medicine: Spearhead research that integrates systems biology and medicine to address complex health issues. Neurosciences and Mental Health: Lead groundbreaking research in understanding and treating neurological and mental health conditions. 🗓️ Application Deadline: 02/08/24 Don't miss this chance to join a team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of health research. Apply now and be part of our mission to make a difference! 🔗 Head of Theme - Population Health Research Infrastructure - https://lnkd.in/eMUR6-h6 🔗 Head of Theme (1 X Population & Systems Medicine and 1 X Neurosciences and Mental Health) - https://lnkd.in/eDkq8iJ9 #JobOpportunity #ResearchLeadership #HealthResearch #PopulationHealth #SystemsMedicine #Neurosciences #MentalHealth #CareerOpportunity #ApplyNow

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a devastating condition affecting the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle weakness and paralysis. The MND Research Data Catalyst is a new initiative led by HDR UK and Dementias Platform UK, supported by the UK Dementia Research Institute and in partnership with the MND research community. By harnessing the UK’s trustworthy, large-scale health data infrastructure and fostering collaborative partnerships across the MND research landscape, the MND Research Data Catalyst will accelerate the discovery of new diagnostics, treatments and support better care for patients. Find out more: https://hubs.li/Q02HXxTh0

Early career researchers from all research disciplines, get ready! ⛳ 🏃♂️ The ERC 2025 Starting Grant is a ⭐ great funding opportunity ⭐ for you! 🔴 Are you UK-based, or interested in doing research in the UK? 🔴 Are you interested in funding for an ambitious research project of your choice? The ERC 2025 Starting Grant might be ideal for you! Join our free webinars next week and discover how to apply successfully. The UK experts 👨⚕️ will walk you through everything you must know - from funding levels, eligibility, and evaluation criteria to submission. 🚀 Join, discover whether you are eligible and start applying! Register for our free webinars here: 1️⃣ 29 July, 10-12 UK Time ➡ https://lnkd.in/d3JG4eae 2️⃣ 1 Aug, 10-12 UK Time ➡ https://lnkd.in/dwrmr3nX #biology #medicine #chemistry #socialsciences #history #arts #humanities #funding #grant #psychology

With BBSRC we’re pleased to be supporting this EPSRC investment in the UK Quantum Biomedical Sensing Research Hub! The Q-BIOMED hub will use quantum technologies to improve early disease diagnosis, including through quantum-enhanced blood tests to diagnose infectious diseases and cancer quickly and cheaply using portable instruments.

Today we’re delighted to publish our public partnerships strategy🤝 It outlines how we will work with members of the public, researchers and communities to better shape and share research so that it’s more relevant and beneficial to everyone. Our actions and priorities include: 🔹 Working with our research and community public partners to develop their knowledge and practice through training and mentoring. 🔹 Communicating the benefits of meaningful public partnerships for all research areas. 🔹 Establishing a public advisory group to guide our ways of working and support ongoing delivery of the strategy. The strategy builds on our belief that diverse ideas, opinions, knowledge and people enrich our work, and that effective collaboration can lead to better research.  It’s part of a wider commitment across UKRI to improve how we involve people in research. Find out more about the MRC public partnerships strategy: https://lnkd.in/d_YAhz4t And hear from MRC Executive Chair Professor Patrick Chinnery about the importance of public partnerships📽 ⬇

Today we’re pleased to welcome 68 outstanding researchers and innovators to the Future Leaders Fellowship scheme.   This scheme supports universities and businesses to develop their most talented early career researchers and innovators, and to attract new people to their organisations, including from overseas. Our Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said:  “UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships provide researchers and innovators with long-term support and training to develop ambitious, transformative ideas. "The programme supports the research and innovation leaders of the future to transcend disciplinary and sector boundaries, bridging the gap between academia and business. "The fellows announced today demonstrate how these awards continue to drive excellence, and to shorten the distance from discovery to prosperity and public good.” Take a look at some of the projects below. A full list of the new Future Leaders Fellows can be found on our website. #UKRIFLF