University of Edinburgh – Page 3 – The NEN

Cancer Research UK £1.5m project will focus on aggressive ovarian cancer

How cancer resists treatment is the focus of a £1.5million Cancer Research UK project in Edinburgh to find new ways to tackle aggressive ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common difficult-to-treat cancers affecting women worldwide. In Scotland, around 600 people are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, 7,600 in total across the UK.*

While ovarian cancer is typically responsive to initial chemotherapy, relapse – when cancer returns after treatment – remains a common and devastating occurrence.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh and Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, are launching an innovative study focused on understanding how a particular mechanism known as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.

EMT is a natural process in the body where epithelial cells, which line organs and tissues to form barriers, change their role to become mesenchymal cells, which are more flexible and capable of rebuilding and repair.

Some aggressive cancers use this process to repair and resist damage to cancer cells caused by chemotherapy and use it to improve their mobility to invade other parts of the body (metastasis).

Lead researcher Dr Robb Hollis, of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh and Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, said: “Ovarian cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat. The main problem being the development of treatment resistance if cancer comes back after initially successful treatment.

“Ovarian carcinosarcoma, a particularly rare type of ovarian cancer, provides a unique opportunity for research as it arises directly through the EMT process, which has been linked to treatment resistance.

“By identifying the molecular triggers of EMT and chemoresistance, we aim to make a real difference for ovarian cancer patients by finding new treatments that target these molecular triggers.”

The molecular switches that activate EMT and contribute to chemoresistance at different stages of the disease will be a key focus, and the research will compare samples taken at diagnosis, at relapse and from both primary and metastatic sites.

It is hoped to identify and validate new therapeutic approaches that could be used to prevent or reverse chemoresistance.

These therapeutic approaches could then be fast-tracked into clinical trials, improving the likelihood of success due to the well-established dosing and toxicity profiles of some already investigated drugs.

Cancer Research UK Director of Research, Dr Catherine Elliott, said: “The identification of the impact of mechanisms like EMT, which have the potential to help cancer cells resist treatment, is crucial for our ultimate goal of improving outcomes and survival rates.

“The results of this study could significantly enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie chemoresistance in ovarian cancer and could help lead to new treatment options for patients in the future.”

While this research is focused on ovarian cancer, the findings will be relevant to other cancer types where EMT is implicated in drug resistance.

Insights gained could potentially be applied to a wide range of cancers, contributing to the development of new therapeutic strategies that can overcome chemoresistance.

University of Edinburgh celebrates Changemakers

Congratulations to the 35 individuals and groups who have been recognised as Changemakers in 2024-25!

Every year, we celebrate students and staff who have gone above and beyond to make a positive contribution to our University community.

Our Changemakers this year include:

– Sandra Kinnear for her career-long commitment to sustainability and the community in the Accommodation, Catering and Events department

– Ania and Amelia for their leadership of the Precious Plastic Project in the Engineering for Change Society

– Lucy Smith for leading the University of Edinburgh’s first-ever parkrun takeover at Holyrood Park.

– The Easter Bush Sustainability Committee for their collective efforts to support sustainability at Easter Bush campus

See the full list of our inspiring Changemakers https://edin.ac/45aXqPT

University of Edinburgh Summer School

Still figuring out what to study at university? This two-week summer course offered by the University of Edinburgh Summer School could be the perfect next step for those interested in science

Our Using Data in the Sciences summer course is designed for 16–18 year olds who are keen to explore subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, geoscience and more!

Students will get hands-on with real data, build critical thinking skills, and experience what university life is really like

It’s a great opportunity to explore university life and grow confidence before making big academic decisions!

Applications close 20 May, find out more here:

https://edin.ac/4dcsP6K

Museum of Edinburgh hosts two new summer exhibitions exploring wellbeing and connection to nature

This summer, the Museum of Edinburgh presents two inspiring exhibitions celebrating the powerful relationship between wellbeing, nature, and place, each told through unique creative lenses:

Nature Through Nurture: Wellbeing and the Natural World in Children’s Books

Thu 1 May to Sun 7 Sep 2025

Developed in partnership between the Museum of Childhood and Scotland’s Early Literature for Children Initiative (SELCIE) at the University of Edinburgh, Nature Through Nurture delves into the enduring presence of the natural world in children’s literature over the past 150 years.

Flowers, trees, animals, insects and birds feature heavily in children’s books, set in both the real world and imaginary worlds. Children’s books from the last 150 years will be on display with beautiful illustrations, poetry and information about how to find green spaces throughout Edinburgh.

The positive influences of nature on mental health and wellbeing will be examined alongside a programme of public events for children and families.

Dr Sarah Dunnigan, Senior Lecturer, School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures at the University of Edinburgh and co-founder of SELCIE said: “The partnership between SELCIE and the Museum of Childhood for the Nurture through Nature exhibition beautifully highlights how children’s books can connect young readers to the natural world.

“This collaboration brings together literature, history, and nature in a way that we hope will inspire visitors to explore Edinburgh’s green spaces and reflect on the links between nature and well-being.

“The project has also made accessible many previously uncatalogued books from the Museum of Childhood collection, with several being displayed publicly for the first time. This collection is of great significance, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the future.

Wellbeing in the City: Feel-Good Places in and Around Edinburgh

Thu 10 Apr to Sun 31 Aug 2025

Created by participants of photography and creative writing courses run by Access to Industry, this exhibition offers personal and heartfelt reflections on the places in Edinburgh that inspire calm, joy, and connection.

Each member of the photography course has chosen a place in and around Edinburgh that makes them feel good. The group visited every place nominated to take photos and have selected their favourites to present in the exhibition.

The creative writing group have produced short pieces of writing about places or activities in Edinburgh that make them feel well.

Helen Murray, Encompass Caseworker from Access to Industry said: “Access to Industry are delighted to have been able to work with Museums and Galleries Edinburgh on the joint project, Wellbeing in the City – feel good places in and around Edinburgh.

“We support clients with complex barriers to employment, many of whom have suffered trauma, isolation and marginalisation. This project has been run with our wellbeing through photography group, PAGE, and our Creative Writing group.

“It has enabled participants to enjoy improved wellbeing on trips they have chosen and reflect on what makes them feel well. We are now extremely pleased to be able to share these places and that sense of wellness with local residents and visitors from far and wide.

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “These exhibitions beautifully highlight how nature and place shape our sense of wellbeing from childhood through adulthood.

“By showcasing stories, creativity, and lived experience, this summer the Museum of Edinburgh invites us all to reconnect with the natural world and discover the restorative spaces that exist all around us.”

Admission to both exhibitions is free.

British-built satellite to map Earth’s forests in 3D for the first time

A satellite developed by British academics and engineers is set to become the first in the world to measure the condition of the Earth’s forests in 3D from space

The European Space Agency (ESA) Biomass Earth observation mission, which launched successfully from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana yesterday, aims to enhance our understanding of the world’s forests and their role in the carbon cycle.

The mission will use state-of-the-art radar technology to uncover new insights into forests, including their size and weight, and areas of deforestation.

This work will be crucial to helping us understand how tropical forests are changing and provide critical data to understand the carbon cycle and help develop climate strategies.

Biomass taking to the skies on 29 April 2025. Credit: ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique vidéo du CSG–S. Martin

The concept was conceived in Yorkshire, at the University of Sheffield by Professor Shaun Quegan, working with the National Centre for Earth Observation in Leicester. Other academics from the University of Edinburgh and UCL have brought modelling and data assimilation expertise to the application of Biomass data.

Since 2016 the UK has won almost £77 million in contracts for Biomass through its membership of ESA.

Minister for Space Sir Chris Bryant said: “The Biomass mission showcases British ingenuity at its very best, from conception in Sheffield to construction in Stevenage.

“Britain is not only stepping to the forefront of the space industry, but of global climate action too.

“Contributing to such great extent to a European mission set to deliver vital global results is testament to the UK’s industrial and academic expertise in space technology and will attract global investment into our vibrant space ecosystem, helping us boost growth and deliver our Plan for Change.”

Biomass was built by Airbus in Stevenage, UK. Credit: Airbus.

Shaun Quegan, University of Sheffield’s Professor and lead proposer of the mission concept to the European Space Agency, said: “It’s been a privilege to have led the team in the development of a pioneering mission that will revolutionise our understanding of the volume of carbon held in the most impenetrable tropical rainforests on the planet and, crucially, how this is changing over time.

“Our research has solved critical operational scientific problems in constructing the Biomass satellite.”

Conceived and built in the UK, Biomass is a brilliant example of what we can achieve in collaboration with our partners in industry and academia. The mission is the culmination of decades of highly innovative work in partnership with some of the best scientists in Europe and the US.

Airbus UK is the Prime Contractor and has manufactured the satellite in Stevenage. Throughout construction, it has supported approximately 250 highly skilled jobs, benefitting the local economy and bolstering the UK’s 52,000-strong space workforce.

Kata Escott, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space in the UK, said: “Biomass is a groundbreaking mission that will advance our understanding of how carbon is stored in the world’s forests – delivering crucial data in the fight against climate change.

“With more than 50 companies involved across 20 nations, the team in Stevenage has shown exceptional leadership in delivering this flagship ESA mission.”

Many other businesses in the UK supply chain have contributed, including ABSL in Abingdon, which has provided the battery, European Astrotech UK in Westcott, which has provided test services, and Nammo, in Cheltenham, providing the service valves.

Its revolutionary technology will help scientists capture vital data on the changes to carbon in forests as ecosystems are increasingly impacted by deforestation. The satellite will create a 3D map of tropical forests after 17 months, then new (non-3D) maps every 9 months for the rest of the 5-year mission, providing insights normally hidden from human sight because of the difficulty in accessing these environments.

Both deforestation, which releases carbon dioxide, and forest growth, which soaks up CO2 from the atmosphere, are crucial parts of climate change.

Data on the biomass of tropical forests is very limited because they are difficult to access.

The Biomass satellite will be able to penetrate cloud cover and measure forest biomass more accurately than any current technology, which only see the top of the canopy. By providing better data it will help create a more accurate global carbon budget and better understanding of carbon sinks and sources which will help in developing and implementing effective strategies to achieve net-zero goals.

Observations will also lead to better insight into the rates of habitat loss and, as a result, the effect this may have on biodiversity in the forest environment.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “The Biomass satellite represents a major leap forward in our ability to understand Earth’s carbon cycle.

“By mapping the world’s forests from space in unprecedented detail, it will provide critical insights into how our planet is responding to climate change — helping scientists, policymakers, and conservationists take informed action.

“We’re proud of the leading role the UK has played in this important mission.”

Uni partnership boosts higher education progression

Pupils in Scotland on a unique educational programme have seen a positive impact on their rates of progression to university.

Now in its fourth year, the ground-breaking partnership between the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow and educational charity IntoUniversity has supported thousands of young people in centres in the Craigmillar area of Edinburgh and Glasgow’s Maryhill and Govan.

The ongoing project aims to improve educational opportunities for those who may face challenges during their schooling, with close to 4,000 school pupils accessing the service in the past year alone.

Since the IntoUniversity centres opened, more than 70 per cent of school leavers from the programme have progressed to university or college, compared with the national average of 24 per cent of those from similar backgrounds.

The three centres have teams of specially trained staff who work closely with local schools in areas traditionally associated with social deprivation.

Each centre provides a programme of after-school academic support, mentoring, workshops and work experience for young people aged between seven and eighteen years old.

NASA astronaut Kathy Sullivan visits Edinburgh Space Hub

Former NASA astronaut Kathy Sullivan recently visited the University as it marked the launch of the new Edinburgh Space Hub.

During her visit, Ms. Sullivan – the first American woman to perform a spacewalk – learned about the growing importance of space data for a range of industry sectors and Edinburgh’s long-standing excellence in the area.

The new Hub will bring together academics and industry to harness the power of space data to address key global challenges, including climate crises and economic inequality.

Kathy Sullivan also toured the University’s collection of materials from the pioneering marine research expedition undertaken by HMS Challenger in the 1870s.

Find out morehttps://edin.ac/3G2j5iG

University of Edinburgh among top-ranking institutions for investment in building maintenance

FoI request spotlights the UK’s leading universities for building repair and remediation works

The University of Edinburgh is among the top ranking institutions for investment in building repair and remediation, according to a new national study, with an overall score of 59.56.

To investigate the state of building maintenance across UK universities, SFG20, the industry standard for facility management, submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to universities across the country. They received responses from 61 universities, who were asked to provide information on: total costs spent on repair and remediation works in the most recent financial year; completed repair projects; outstanding projects; and total budgets.

Leading UK universities for investment in building upkeep and maintenance

As part of their overall ranking, Edinburgh University invested just over £22 million on building repair and remediation projects, the second highest out of the 61 universities that responded. Similarly, in 2023, the university completed the second highest amount of maintenance projects, totalling just under 47,000.

The ‘gold tier’ saw two other Scottish universities, the Universities of St Andrews and Dundee. These three institutions were all some of the first UK universities to discover RAAC in some of their buildings.

They have, since, had to invest significant time and money into prioritising the removal of RAAC and the maintenance of their student buildings and ensure they are doing so in the most cost-effective way, without compromising on quality and compliance.

Paul Bullard, Product Director at SFG20, on the issue of building maintenance in UK Universities, has said: “Staying significantly under budget on maintenance costs and keeping a low cost per repair request are both strong indicators of a well-structured, proactive maintenance strategy – one that prioritises efficiency and minimises more serious and costly unexpected downtime.

“To attract and retain the best calibre of staff and students, universities must provide outstanding learning environments, supported by high-quality leisure facilities and living conditions.

“Even before Covid, we saw a shift towards improving indoor air quality to enhance student focus and well-being. Now, more than ever, delivering a great experience is critical. Well-maintained facilities not only create inspiring spaces for learning but also play a vital role in university recruitment and retention.”

The full findings can be found here: https://www.sfg20.co.uk/blog/uk-universities-investment

Gracemount High School pupils gain hands-on hospitality experience in partnership with The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection has partnered with Gracemount High School to give pupils hands-on hospitality experience through the Hospitality Connect programme.

The initiative aims to reshape perceptions of hospitality careers while providing students with real-world training in a professional hotel environment.

Since launching last November, the partnership has enabled 30 Gracemount students, aged 14 to 16, to explore daily operations at The Scholar, a 4-star hotel run by The University of Edinburgh, through four immersive workshops. Participants gained practical insight into core hospitality functions including housekeeping, reception services, kitchen operations, and food & beverage management.

Hospitality Connect, founded by UK Hospitality, delivers six bespoke career experiences annually, including workshops, employer-led events, and hands-on training. By connecting classroom learning with real-world industry expertise, the programme helps bridge the gap between education and employment, offering students a tangible pathway into hospitality careers.

The programme culminated on Thursday, 27th March, with a special event at the hotel’s restaurant The Brasserie, rebranded by the students as “The Mount” for the day. Students took full control of the lunch service, overseeing everything from menu design and marketing to food preparation and front-of-house service.

This hands-on experience not only contributed to their year-end assessments but also provided them with practical skills and a deeper understanding of the industry – an invaluable stepping stone toward future career opportunities.

Gavin MacLennan, Group General Manager for Operations at the University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection, said: “We have loved opening our operations to support students who have already demonstrated a keen interest in the hospitality sector.

“By providing real-world insights and experiences, we’ve sought to equip them with the practical skills and knowledge required to excel in this field and to demonstrate the career opportunities it brings.”

Morven Langley, Teacher at Gracemount High School, added: “This initiative really brings classroom learning to life.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our students to see the inner workings of a busy Edinburgh hotel, enhancing their learning and preparing them for exciting career opportunities in this growing sector.”

This partnership marks the start of what is hoped to be a long-term collaboration, inspiring the next generation to view hospitality as an exciting and rewarding career choice.

To find out more about the University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection, please visit:

https://www.uoecollection.com/.

University of Edinburgh: Money Mangement for Students

Looking to understand how students can make the most of their budget?

From practical tips to advice on accommodation, food, transport and more, we help new students make the most of their money while enjoying everything our extraordinary city has to offer!

Get advice on how students can manage their costs

Undergraduate money management https://edin.ac/4c1jEW2

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