Queen’s Medical Research Institute (QMRI) – Public Lecture Series
“Let’s Talk About Health…Understanding disease” is a series of public lectures that runs annually from December through to March. It is aimed at senior school pupils interested in studying medicine, veterinary medicine or the life sciences at University as well as interested members of the general public and health professionals. The series allows scientists pioneering new research at the University of Edinburgh to share their latest ideas and discoveries with the public and provides attendees with the opportunity to advance their knowledge of health and what goes wrong in disease.
“Understanding Disease is all about advancing our knowledge of health and what goes wrong in disease. These lectures provide a chance for anyone who is interested in health research to learn more about the progress we are making towards better treatments.”
Professor Karen Chapman, University of Edinburgh/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Programme Organiser
Profile: http://www.cvs.ed.ac.uk/users/karen-chapman
It’s time for ‘T’ – the importance of testosterone for lifelong male health
Lecture held Wednesday, 13 January 2016 from 17:30 to 18:30 (GMT)
Dr Rod Mitchell, Wellcome Trust Clinical Fellow at the University of Edinburgh; and Professor Lee Smith, Chair of Genetic Endocrinology, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh discuss the hormone testosterone and its importance for male health and wellbeing.
Development of the male reproductive system, secondary sexual characteristics and male fertility all depend on testosterone. A combination of genetic and environmental influences that result in a failure of testosterone production, or its ability to work in a baby before it is born, may make a man more likely to experience a reproductive health disorder. These conditions can arise from birth or become apparent later in life. Problems with testosterone during puberty or in adult life can impact male fertility and wider male health. Recently, a number of environmental chemicals and pharmaceuticals have been implicated in the development of these disorders; we will discuss current evidence for how chemical exposure might influence male reproductive health. The talk will also cover the science behind production and action of testosterone and how this knowledge might be used to develop strategies improve male health.
Link to video: https://media.ed.ac.uk/media/1_rusdh80m
Multiple Sclerosis: success, challenges and hope
Lecture held Wednesday, 17th February 2016 from 17:30 to 18:30 (GMT)
Dr Anna Williams, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh; and Dr Dave Lyons, Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Neuroregeneration at the University of Edinburgh discuss the neurological disorder Multiple Sclerosis, which has a particularly high prevalence in Scotland.
The symptoms of MS result from damage to a specialised structure of the brain called myelin, which wraps up the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, similarly to the insulation on electrical wires. This myelin damage is thought to be due to the immune system destroying the myelin, leading to damage to the underlying nerves and causing problems with vision, balance, sensation and movement.
Over the past decade, wonderful progress has been made in suppressing the immune system attacks that occur in MS, and a host of life-changing treatments are now available to people with MS. The next goal is to help repair the damage that occurs to myelin and to prevent degeneration of nerves.
Listen to more about MS, the challenges that have been overcome, the challenges that remain, and the exciting research that is taking place that offers hope for treatment of this disease. Link to video: https://media.ed.ac.uk/media/1_0sjjffai
Let Sunshine Into Your Heart Lecture held Wednesday, 11 March 2015 from 17:30 to 18:45 (GMT) Dr Richard Weller from the MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh and Dr Darren Shaw, Royal (Dick) Vet School / The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, discuss new research that is shedding new (sun) light on the benefits and risks of sun exposure.
Exciting new research has shown that sunshine can lower blood pressure. Great news for those who suffer from high blood pressure associated with cardiovascular disease. But what about medical warnings regarding sun exposure leading to skin cancers? Hear how research is shedding new (sun) light on the benefits and risks of sun exposure.
Link to video: https://media.ed.ac.uk/media/0_fx26ixyt
Treating Injured Lungs by Extinguishing Inflammation
Lecture held Wednesday, 11 February 2015 from 17:30 to 18:45 (GMT)
Professor Timothy Walsh and Professor Adriano Rossi from the MRC Centre for Inflammation Research at the University of Edinburgh discuss new collaborative work by clinicians and scientists experimenting in clinical and laboratory settings to help us better understand the underlying inflammatory processes that lead to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) lung injury.
Many critically ill patients develop inflammation in their lungs requiring often prolonged periods on a ventilator. This condition called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) has been the focus of extensive research because many patients do not survive and of those who do, recovery is very slow with many remaining disabled for years. Despite attention from clinicians and scientists there are few treatment options available for ARDS. Hear how new collaborative work by clinicians and scientists experimenting in clinical and laboratory settings will help us better understand the underlying inflammatory processes that lead to ARDS lung injury and their hope of discovering new treatments.
Link to video: https://media.ed.ac.uk/media/1_l8s73m6e
Obesity – How Do Our Genes Contribute? Lecture held Wednesday, 14 January 2015 from 17:30 to 18:45 (GMT)
Dr Mandy Drake and Professor Nik Morton from the University of Edinburgh / BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science discuss how our genes and environment contribute to obesity. In recent years, obesity has become a problem for the health of our children and young people. Being overweight or obese can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, stroke and some cancers and obesity in pregnancy may have important consequences for the unborn child. Hear how our genes and environment contribute to obesity and learn of new research from Edinburgh on natural resistance to obesity that hopes to lead to medicines that can prevent and treat obesity. Link to video: https://media.ed.ac.uk/media/1_wy0ay590
Cervical cancer, vaccines and how to help the reproductive health of the developing world Lecture held on Wednesday, 10 December 2014 from 17:30 to 18:45 (GMT)
Professor Sarah Howie from the MRC Centre for Inflammation Research and Professor Heather Cubie, HPV Research Group, at the University of Edinburgh discuss the progress and challenges in research into HR-HPV and cervical disease and ongoing research involving local specialists and the community in Malawi.
In Scotland cervical cancer is being addressed through a screening programme to detect the pre-cancerous disease and the vaccination of young girls against the two most common cancer-causing (high-risk) human papillomavirus types (HR-HPVs). However, infection of the cervix at the neck of the womb with cancer-causing HR-HPVs is common. Although most infections are completely cleared without treatment, in cases where the infection persists there is a risk of cancer. Hear about the progress and challenges in research into HR-HPV and cervical disease, and learn of the research involving local specialists and the community of a charity hospital in Malawi that is improving healthcare for HPV infected women.
Link to video: https://media.ed.ac.uk/media/1_swfm1wnv
New and Future Diabetes Therapies Lecture held Wednesday, 19 March 2014 from 17:30 to 18:45 (GMT)
Dr Shareen Forbes and Professor Kevin Docherty discuss Type 1 diabetes and the impact the discovery of insulin has had on quality of life for people with diabetes. New therapies being developed for people for whom insulin injections do not work are also discussed in this lecture.
Prior to the discovery of insulin in 1922, diabetes was a fatal disease characterised by high blood sugar levels with abnormalities in fat and protein metabolism. The discovery of insulin was truly revolutionary and treatment with insulin has both extended life expectancy in people with Type 1 diabetes and greatly enhanced quality of life for many.
Diabetes related complications are minimised in those able to achieve good glucose control. In some people problems arise which may make strict glucose control difficult to achieve and conventional delivery of insulin via injections may not be appropriate. Hear about how transplantation of the insulin producing cells of the pancreas (islets) may be appropriate therapy for some people.
Link to video: https://media.ed.ac.uk/media/1_4ah9xbj8
Saving Brains; Developing Effective Treatments for Stroke
Lecture held on Wednesday, 11 December 2013 from 17:30 to 18:45 (GMT)
Professor Malcolm Macleod, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences; and Professor Karen Horsburgh, Centre for Neuroregeneration discuss exciting new approaches to modelling stroke in the laboratory, some of the new treatments that are being developed in the laboratory, and how these are being brought forward for use with patients.
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability, and most are caused by a blockage in the blood supply to part of the brain. Fundamental research can help develop drugs to treat stroke, but we are still a long way away from a cure.
Link to video: https://media.ed.ac.uk/media/1_d9g8uubv
