News
Scotland poised to become ‘world-leader’ in quantum computing with £9m government funding
The UK Government has awarded £8.9m to three Scottish universities to help position Scotland and the UK as a “world-leader in quantum”. One quantum laboratory and two research hubs have secured a share of a new £121m fund to help tackle challenges including crimefighting, fraud, and money laundering.
Source: Holyrood
A new louping ill vaccine – can you help us bring a new vaccine to market?
Moredun have developed a new generation vaccine against louping ill virus (LIV) in sheep. Although this tick-borne viral disease can infect many species, including cattle, horses, dogs and humans, it is particularly devastating to sheep and red grouse.
Growth target: Can Scotland's life sciences sector hit £25bn by 2035?
By its own measure, Scotland’s life sciences sector is an overachiever. Leaders hoped it would reach a turnover of £8bn by 2025. Reaching that target, set in 2017, meant doubling the value of the sector within just eight years, driving growth in everything from drug development to agriculture.
Source: Holyrood
The Scottish tech ecosystem is showing significant momentum
Over the past decade or so, Scotland has developed a burgeoning technology ecosystem, with a growing number of companies adding significant value to the economy and supporting innovation in key areas such as net zero and life sciences.
Source: Business Insider
Wobble Genomics at the forefront of RNA Sequencing
Midlothian Science Zone Business Forum took place on Tuesday 18th March 2025 led by Wobble Genomics, specialists in long-read RNA sequencing. This cutting-edge technique of next generation sequencing reads lengthy sequences of RNA molecules, which offers a more comprehensive view of genetic information in the detection of genetic variations, compared to traditional short-read.
Scottish Secretary focusses on jobs and investment in USA visit
Jobs and investment in Scotland will be top of the agenda today [Thursday 3 April] when Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, Lord Mayor of London Alastair King and Scottish Financial Enterprise Chief Executive Sandy Begbie meet key sectors in a series of meetings in New York during Tartan Week.
Scottish Biotech Innovator Secures Up To £1.1 Million Investment From Scottish Enterprise
Green Bioactives, a leader in the sustainable production of plant-based natural products through its proprietary Plant Cell Culture Technology platform, has secured grant of up to £1,097,016 from Scottish Enterprise. The grant will support an 18-month research and development initiative focused on the production and initial scale-up of natural products that are derived from plant cell culture, which will enable Green Bioactives to supply customers in waiting in the cosmetic and personal care industries.
Edinburgh aerospace firm backed for expansion
An aerospace technology firm has secured a £500,000 investment to accelerate its development of space launch guidance systems.
Backed by Kelvin Capital, Gabriel and Scottish Enterprise, Edinburgh-based Aurora Avionics is now looking to hire new engineers, grow its operations at the Royal Observatory and further advance its technology.
Source: Business Insider
Business leaders elected to Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has announced its new cohort of fellows, including several from Scotland’s business community.
Fellows are elected to Scotland’s national academy for exceptional achievements and acumen in the world of science, mathematics, business and the arts.
Source: Business Insider
AI biosecurity tool could help save farmers time
Scientists are developing a new webtool which will use Artificial Intelligence to give time-pressured farmers tailored advice on how to protect their livestock from disease.
The device is being developed in a project by SRUC and Moredun which would quickly summarise official documentation on animal biosecurity, and deliver detail most relevant to an individual farmer’s needs at the time.