Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South and Minister of State for Data and Digital Government in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, toured the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, speaking with nurses, researchers and trial specialists to see how the UK DRI’s research links directly to clinical practice.
Mr Murray also spoke with leading AI and machine learning specialists to view high-resolution microscope imaging enabling scientists to track cellular changes as diseases progress and to identify early biological signals of neurodegeneration. Researchers also demonstrated how SpeakUnique, a University of Edinburgh spinout, is providing better quality of life for people living with neurodegenerative conditions right now.
Mr Murray was hosted by Prof Siddharthan Chandran, the Director of UK DRI and Prof David Argyle, Vice-Principal and Head of College, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh. They shared exciting innovations in Big Data analytics and discussed further collaboration to support the development of diagnostic, preventative, and public health tools.
It was a pleasure to welcome Ian Murray MP to UK Dementia Research Institute. The UK is particularly well placed to capitalise on the intersection of data at scale and digital technology to innovate in health research that will transform heathy brain ageing for the nation. This is the goal of the UK Dementia Research Institute.
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Reflecting on the visit Ian Murray MP said:
"The work the UK Dementia Research Institute are doing at the BioQuarter is genuinely groundbreaking. They're bringing together leading clinicians and cutting-edge technology to carry out research which could completely transform the treatment and management of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neuron Disease.
I've seen first-hand the terrible impact neurodegenerative disease can have on people and their families, having had a friend who was diagnosed with MND.
I was particularly fascinated by the work the Institute are doing to harness voice technology and AI in the DASH and SpeakUnique programmes, which are used to support patients and predict and track the progression of disease.
I want to thank all the staff and researchers who took the time to meet with me and explain their vitally important work. It's world-leading research happening right here in the south of Edinburgh."