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On Wednesday 23rd April, the Minister for Public Health and Women's Health, Jenni Minto, visited Scotland's first Centre of Excellence for Brain Tumour Research in Edinburgh.
Jenni Minto MSP visited the Centre at the University of Edinburgh to meet scientist, tour the labs, and view the Wall of Hope.
Jenni Minto MSP, Minister for Public Health and Women's Health, said: " It's been a huge privilege to meet and learn from experts leading research in brain tumours here in Scotland. As a government, we are proud to support the life sciences sector and are always looking at how we can do more. The best way to tackle the cancer crisis is through collaboration - especially with dedicated Third Sector partners like Beatson Cancer Charity and Brain Tumour Research."
Beatson Cancer Charity and Brain Tumour Research, have committed £2.4 million over five years to fund the Centre, which officially launched in January 2025 and the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The Centre is focused on tackling glioblastoma, an aggressive and cancerous form of brain tumour with a prognosis of 12 to 18 months.
The Centre is led by Professor Anthony Chalmers (University of Glasgow and Professor Steven Pollard (University of Edinburgh). It brings together the UK's largest group of glioblastoma researchers and is focused on bridging the "translational gap", ensuring discoveries in the lab rapidly move into clinical trials.
Ian Murray, Philanthropy and Individual Giving Director at Beatson cancer Charity, said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to share Beatson Cancer Charity and Brain Tumour Research's plans to energise the search for more effective treatments for brain tumours. Working together, our alliance will give hope to those affected by brain tumours, and specifically glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive brain tumour. In bringing together world-leading scientists from Edinburgh and Glasgow, our partnership will accelerate their discoveries and fast-track new therapies into patient impact. It will deliver lifesaving and life-extending treatment for people in Scotland, the UK and beyond."
Thomas Brayford, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Scotland has a real opportunity to lead the UK in researching brain tumours - but it will take collaboration to get us there. From Brain Tumour Research and Beatson Cancer Charity to the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the wider brain tumour community and the Scottish Government, this is a collective effort. The foundations are in place - the scientists, the facilities and the ambition. But momentum won't be maintained without public investments."
