Moredun and Heriot Watt explore future opportunities
Staff from Moredun and Heriot Watt 
University met recently (24th and 25th February) to discuss and explore future opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations.
The two day exchange event held at Peebles Hydro brought together scientists from a range of different disciplines across the two organisations and aimed to kick start Moredun’s new partnership with Heriot Watt.
Participants took part in speed collaboration sessions and listened to a series of talks throughout the two days. These discussions not only sparked potential interest in future collaborations but also highlighted outputs and lessons learnt from past interdisciplinary partnerships.
A collaboration wall was built up over the duration of the workshop highlighting research questions, themes and topics of common interest. Several scientific themes emerged from the wall, notably Diagnostics; Microsystems and nanotechnology; Imaging; and Host-pathogen interactions and modelling. It is hoped that these themes will drive new projects and attract funding for future research which will be beneficial to both organisations.
“I found the workshop really inspiring and can see great potential in linking the physical and life sciences to help address some of the questions we have in animal disease research”
Provisions have been made to help ensure that the discussions and achievements made during the workshop will be built upon and that this new collaboration will continue to move forward.
The event proved that Moredun’s expertise in disease pathogenesis, control and management coupled with Heriot Watt’s strength in modelling, engineering and technology makes for an exciting partnership and one of great potential and benefit. Collaborations will help fulfil the need for effective and timely diagnostics and therapeutics, ultimately enhancing Moredun’s work towards safeguarding animal health and welfare.
“The workshop was very intense but very energising. I greatly enjoyed having the time to think about science and to explore new collaboration approaches. I can see great potential in this interaction between Moredun and Heriot Watt”