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Research in life sciences
Our strength in life sciences research lies an interdisciplinary approach to real world problems, the development of unique state-of-the-art facilities, and through collaboration between Schools and other research institutions. The interdisciplinary research interests and state-of-the-art facilities provide a unique environment for integrative research.
The School of Life Sciences is unique in providing world leading research across a combination of disciplines relating mostly to improving health and the natural environment. This includes psychology, biodiversity, biotechnology, environmental science, marine science, nano-safety, bio-fuels, food science, and brewing & distilling. Research in the School is highly collaborative with other Schools within Heriot-Watt University and with external organisations, such as the Moredun Research Institute and the John Hutton Institute. Heriot-Watt researchers are active and enthusiastic partners in the Marine Alliance for Science & Technology for Scotland (MASTS).
The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences hosts a number research projects at the interface between engineering, the physical sciences and the life sciences. The Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering applies advances in the chemical, physical, and engineering sciences to enable and enhance life science research. Multidisciplinary teams conduct world-class bio-imaging, bio-processing, bio-fuel, and food research. Research in the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences includes the development of micro-fluidic bioreactor devices.
Our School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences carries out mathematical modelling in biological systems, epidemics, genetics and neuroscience in collaboration with experimental biologists and field ecologists. Statistics and probability are applied to epidemiology with a long history of developing dynamical models for spatio-temporal spread of epidemics, while the latest computer science developments are developed in the context of biomedical research.
The Marine Alliance for Science & Technology for Scotland (MASTS) promotes collaboration across 11 universities and other research institutes throughout Scotland. The aim of MASTS is to enhance scientific excellence in marine research through communication, collaboration and co-ordination within the Scottish marine research community and to enhance Scotland as a world player in marine science through the delivery of scientific excellence in the field of marine science.
The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) supports a Physics and Life Sciences Theme (PALS). The aim is to support physics to challenge the way that life scientists perceive and understand the biological world and for life scientists to challenge physicists to develop new and exciting technology and techniques to enable novel research.