As we approach the end of 2024, we’re celebrating a year of fantastic community and scientific achievement with our #12DaysOfResearch series. 1st Day of Research: Grand Opening of IRR South In January we were joined by Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, to officially open the state-of-the-art IRR South building. IRR South is designed to allow modern science to flourish by fostering collaboration across different disciplines, and providing space for cutting edge research technologies. This new facility will encourage joined-up working and help scientists develop treatments to benefit health more rapidly. Professor Stuart Forbes Director of the Institute of Regeneration and Repair World-class IRR South building opened by The Princess Royal 2nd Day of Research: Discovery of two genes reveals path to success for spermIn February, a study lead by Principal Investigator Donal O'Carroll of the Centre for Regenerative Medicine was published in Molecular Cell.Research suggests that this discovery of a pair of genes that work in perfect harmony to protect male fertility, could provide new insights into some unexplained cases of the most severe form of infertility.Male fertility gene discovery reveals path to success for sperm This was a wonderful collaborative project that led to the discovery of new genetic causes of male infertility. We also advanced our understanding of a process that is fundamental to healthy sperm cell development. These mechanistic insights are leading to a better understanding of the elusive process that allows developing sperm to preserve their genetic integrity and escape an early death. Professor Dónal O'Carroll 3rd Day of Research: Three new centre DirectorsThis year we welcomed Professor Andrew Horne as Director of the Centre for Reproductive Health, and Professor Tilo Kunath and Professor Anna Williams as Co-Directors for the Centre for Regenerative Medicine.CRH appoints a new DirectorNew Co-Directors of the Centre for Regenerative Medicine 4th Day of Research: Four Wandering Womb exhibitionsA walk-in uterus exhibition, created by Reproductive Health PhD student Francesca Hearn-Yeates, has spent the year travelling around UK exhibitions including the RSE Curious Festival, Green Man, Meadows Festival and our very own Door’s Open Day.The Wandering Womb was developed in an attempt to fight the taboo and promote conversations about menstruation.Listen to Francesca's IRR People podcast on her public engagement 5th Day of Research: Richard Weller on Channel 5Could increasing amounts of sunlight stave off heart disease? Professor Richard Weller joined Dara O’Brien to discuss the possible unconsidered benefits of sun exposure on a special programme called 'Wonders of the Sun' featured on Channel 5.This TV appearance was one small part of a series of wider engagement of Professor Weller’s research, including his newly published paper 'Sunlight: Time for a Rethink?”, an expert opinion piece in our new IRR Stories feature, and news coverage in The Economist.Watch the episode on My5Publication - Sunlight: Time for a Rethink?IRR Stories feature - Sun Awareness: Should we rip up the rule book and start again? 6th Day of Research: Six key areas of the Scottish Government Women’s Health plan supported by Centre for Reproductive Health researchersAssociate (Honorary) Professor and Scotland’s first Women’s Health Champion Anna Glasier has spent the last three years leading the improvement of Women’s Health in Scotland. The Scottish Government’s newly published final report outlines the contributions of Professor Glasier and many IRR researchers, covering six key areas: menopause, menstrual health, endometriosis, abortion and contraception, post-natal contraception and heart health.IRR highlights from the report include:• The Scottish National Menstrual Health Specialist Network chaired by Dr Jackie Maybin• Endometriosis, pelvic pain and PCOS animation resources from the CRH and EXPPECT teams.• The Flow Right group Red-y To Talk digital stories project from the Maybin Lab.• The EPic2 and ENDOCAN endometriosis clinical trials lead by Dr Lucy WhitakerRead the full report on the Scottish Government website Introduction to the Flow Right patient and public involvement group. 7th Day of Research: Seven winners of the IRR photography competitionWe asked IRR colleagues to send us their photos for our annual photography competition which showcases the science, innovation, community, collaboration, sustainability and wellbeing demonstrated at the Institute for Regeneration and Repair. 8th Day of Research: Eight new centres open for recruitment of TRAITS trial The first precision medicine trial of critically ill patients in the UK is opening eight centres for recruitment across Scotland.The TRAITS programme, based within our Centre for Inflammation Research, uses novel and efficient clinical trial design that can test multiple interventions matched to the individual ICU patient’s biological features.Six centres across Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Scottish Borders are already actively recruiting, with the final two opening in January 2025.Visit the TRAITS website 9th Day of Research: £9million to support the next generation of dementia researchersThe investment from the Alzheimer's Society will help the IRR support and nurture dementia researchers at the start of their career. A move which is essential to progressing much-needed dementia research.Currently only one in five dementia PhD students go on to stay in dementia research often due to underfunding and the challenging nature of academic careers. They are critical to maintaining the momentum to end the devastation caused by dementia. The investment will fund nearly 29 students over five years to enter dementia research, with a quarter of those students being trained at the University of Edinburgh.Alzheimer’s Society Centre to support the next generation of dementia researchers 10th Day of Research: 10 year long study into nose and mouth microbiome is largest to dateResearchers, including those from the Centre for Inflammation Research have used data from over 3000 individuals to map the nose and mouth microbiome.The study represents the most complete atlas of the microbial communities in the upper airways of healthy individuals to date.The results form an important basis for further studies regarding the role of our resident microbes in infection susceptibility and severity across the lifespan and the factors influencing this process.Largest study of the nose and mouth microbiome to date This study took 10 years from onset to finish, and was only possible through the enthusiasm, curiosity, drive, vision of and collaboration between many individuals over these years. Professor Debby Bogaert Senior Author on the paper, Centre for Inflammation Research 11th Day of Research: Dr Chelsea Morroni awarded NIHR Global Health ProfessorshipDr Chelsea Morroni of the Centre for Reproductive Health is the first in Scotland to receive this prestigious funding.As one of seven researchers to be awarded the 2024 National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Research Professorship, her project aims to improve sexual health in pregnancy in Africa by taking a people centred-approach. Over my career, I’ve been so fortunate to work with and learn from so many amazing people—healthcare providers, patients, researchers, research participants and advocates—all committed to improving sexual health in Southern Africa, and around the world. It is such a privilege to be awarded this NIHR Global Research Professorship, which will enable me to build and expand my international research team and be of continued service to the field of sexual and reproductive health research, training, policy and advocacy. Dr Chelsea Morroni Dr Chelsea Morroni awarded prestigious NIHR Global Health Professorship 12th Day of Research: IRR in the communityLast but not least, collaboration is at the heart of developing impactful, relevant research and public engagement.At IRR we work in partnership with our local community and in 2024 we have been amazed with the vibrant activity from researchers, local schools and members of the public.Doors Open Day 2024 This article was published on 2025-01-06
