Pioneering work on human gut disorders potentially worth billions, the development of livestock vaccines and grazing systems to benefit farming, DNA fingerprinting tests to improve water quality and the use of 3-D imagery to inform planning assessments.

These are just a few ways the Scottish Government’s Science Institutes transform knowledge into innovative products and support Scotland’s economy – as highlighted in a report published today.

Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham met some of the scientists involved in this work to hear about recent achievements. Ms Cunningham said: “Though we may not always appreciate it, science contributes a huge amount to our everyday lives; preventing and curing illnesses, delivering food to the table, clean water to our homes and protecting our environment.

“Scottish Government research commissioned from our Main Research Providers (MRPs) helps us to make informed policy decisions and best use of our resources – financial and environmental. And while the MRPs create high-value jobs, and boost our intellectual reputation this report reveals they also make and crucially, save us, vast sums of money.

In these tough times innovation is vital, which is why our economic recovery plan focuses strongly on encouraging this. I am delighted to see our scientists achievements recognised as we remain determined to help nurture cutting edge ideas such as those on show today, from the laboratory to the market place.”

Detailed analysis shows that the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute tests more than 50,000 laboratory samples each year and generates an additional £1 million annually from commercial analytical work and has developed a 3-D technology (the Virtual Landscape Theatre) to assist in assessing cumulative and visual impacts of proposed planning developments.

ENDS

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

1. Copies of the report “The impact of innovation: How Scotland’s research institutes benefit the economy” are available by calling the number below.
2. The Macaulay Institute, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Scottish Agricultural College and Moredun Research Institute are major beneficiaries of Scottish Government science funding. They are collectively known as the Main Research Providers (MRPs).
3. While not all of the MRPs science is directly funded by the Scottish Government their long-term science capacity remains very much dependent on Scottish Government investment.
4. The Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate (RERAD) provides almost £60 million of funding each year towards research in a range of areas including the environment.

For further information, contact:
Joanna Wilson
Communications Officer
Scottish Government
0131 244 2018