Scotland's strengths

Find out more about Scotland's strengths in the life sciences sector

• Edinburgh BioQuarter

  Edinburgh BioQuarter offers first-stop access to the unique combination of pre-clinical and clinical excellence in the Edinburgh Region. Ranked #1 in the UK for Veterinary Medicine, hospital-based clinical research, animal biology and clinical medicine, Edinburgh has the second largest concentration of researchers rated "internationally excellent" by the UK government, with a great quality of life and cost of living that's 20% lower than London or South East England.

• Stem cells

  Scottish stem cell research came to prominence in 1996 with the cloning of Dolly the sheep, a landmark in the field of stem cell research, by a team at Edinburgh's Roslin Institute led by Prof. Ian Wilmut. Since then, Scotland has become recognised as a world-leading centre for stem cell and regenerative medicine with significant public-sector support for the sector playing a major role.

• Telehealth Technologies

  The delivery of healthcare services using distance technologies is of growing global interest. In Scotland, expertise in the field of tele-healthcare has developed through the combined efforts of academics, business people and healthcare professionals. Highlands and Islands Enterprise, with input from the Scottish Government's Joint Improvement Team, the Scottish Centre for Telehealth (now part of NHS24), and the Scottish Science Advisory Council, is working towards the creation of a shared vision for telehealthcare in Scotland.

• Marine Biotechnology

  There are several centres of excellence in the Marine Biotechnology area based around Scottish centres of strength in the marine sciences

• Natural products

  In Scotland, the extraction of compounds from natural resources is an established and ongoing approach. There is growing evidence of the beneficial effects of natural products and also an increasing demand for green products from sustainable sources. These natural products supply the production of pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals (such as health supplements) and cosmetics.

• Medical Technology

  Scotland is home to a diverse and highly successful medical technology sector that offers a supportive and vibrant environment for more than 140 emerging and established businesses.

• Translational and Clinical Medicine

  Scotland has a world leading position in translational medicine - harnessing the collaborative power of world class research and clinical expertise with an ability to deliver translational projects which meet research, clinical and commercial objectives.