Scotland's highly distinguished universities have united under the University-Technology banner to promote new discoveries and increase the number of commercial research opportunities. All have experience of working with the commercial sector and are committed to seeing new breakthroughs make it from the laboratory to the market.
The following are just two examples of research opportunities available through the University-Technology initiative:
Optical manipulator
This method of contact-less manipulation of cells and molecules will improve DNA studies. Developed in the University of Edinburgh, it offers an excellent licensing opportunity for electronics and life sciences businesses.
Improvements to lung cancer treatment
Many patients receive inappropriate treatment for lung cancer due to the presence of chemoresistance. Scientists at the University of Aberdeen are developing a method of predicting chemoresistance in patients, allowing treatment to be more easily tailored to each individual.
The test, which is currently 94 per cent accurate and improving all the time, will help to raise survival rates.
Interface provides information about the specialist research expertise available at Scotland's universities for businesses looking to become more competitive and successful by developing links with these academic institutions.
Universities in Scotland – research excellence
A well-funded university sector creates excellent research opportunities in Scotland as well as attracting students from across the globe. Scottish universities have always been at the cutting edge of innovation and bring significant benefits to several areas of industry and the economy.
- Four Scottish universities are ranked in the world’s top 200.
- Scotland is home to 13 per cent of active UK spin-out companies with HEI ownership.
- A wide range of subjects are taught at Scottish universities, with more than 70,000 undergraduate and postgraduate courses on offer.
- Almost half of Scottish university research departments have been recognised for international excellence.
With just 0.1 per cent of the world’s population, Scotland produces 1 per cent of the world’s published research. Scotland can also boast a disproportionately high level of UK:
- Higher education (HE) research staff
- Total research funds.
- HE invention disclosures.
- Patents in HE.
- Licences from HE.
- Spin-out companies from the HE sector.
Contact us for more information about Scottish universities, innovation and research in Scotland, and Scotland's innovative industries.