School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition - University of Aberdeen

18/09/2026

The ARISTOTLE trial investigated whether adding the chemotherapy drug irinotecan to current treatment of radiotherapy could improve outcomes for patients with high-risk re**al cancer before surgery.

The study, published in Lancet Oncology by researchers including Dr Leslie Samuel from the University of Aberdeen, found that adding irinotecan did not improve patients’ chances of remaining cancer-free after treatment and was associated with more side effects.

While the trial found no benefit from adding irinotecan, it delivered important and lasting benefits for cancer care across the UK:

- A comprehensive quality assurance programme was introduced to ensure treatments were planned and delivered safely and consistently across participating centres. This has since benefited patients across the UK, including in North-east Scotland.

- Workshops across the UK brought together experienced consultants, doctors and radiotherapy professionals in training, helping to embed these approaches into routine practice and support future generations of cancer specialists.

Read more ➡️ http://abdn.io/2qV

17/09/2026

One in six heterosexual couples experience fertility problems. However, this doesn’t mean that they have no chance of conceiving without treatment.

Findings published in Human Reproduction Open found that some couples with fertility problems still have a chance of conceiving without any treatment. In fact, one in eight (13%) couples diagnosed with fertility problems went on to have a natural pregnancy within one year, resulting in a live birth.

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen have created the first fertility calculator of its kind, using individualised information to estimate a couple’s chance of having a baby without treatment. This could help couples and their medical teams have more informed discussions about fertility treatment.

Read more ➡️ http://abdn.io/2qG

16/09/2026

14/09/2026

📢 Calling former melanoma patients! We're looking for people who've previously had stage 0–IIA melanoma to help us evaluate ASICA- a new smartphone app designed to support skin self-checks after treatment.

Developed with the University of Stirling and funded by Cancer Research UK, ASICA guides users through regular total-skin self-examinations and lets them flag any concerns straight to a healthcare professional. Early results from our pilot trial showed people using ASICA felt more confident checking their skin and had improved quality of life.

We're now running the final evaluation phase over 6 months on both iOS and Android. Interested in taking part? Find out more and get in touch:

Researchers behind an app designed to support people after skin cancer treatment are inviting former early-stage melanoma patients to take part in its final evaluation tests.

11/09/2026

🎂 This week marked 150 years since the birth of JJR Macleod - the Aberdeen-educated scientist who led the discovery of insulin, one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of the 20th century.

Macleod studied at Aberdeen Grammar School and our University before going on to lead the team that discovered clinically useful insulin in Toronto in 1922. He was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize the following year, though for decades his contribution was overshadowed by disputes over credit.

To mark the anniversary, a new edition of his biography, "JJR Macleod: Co-discoverer of Insulin," is being published by Aberdeen University Press on 5 November, with a new introduction from Dr Kenneth McHardy. It tells the fuller story of a discovery that was very much a team effort, with Macleod at the helm.

Free online or in print, available for pre-order now. 📖

'JJR Macleod Co-discoverer of Insulin' will be published by Aberdeen University Press

10/09/2026

Why Aberdeen? 💙
A beautiful campus, a walkable city and plenty of spaces to study, explore and unwind.
From coastal views and green spaces to a welcoming student community, Aberdeen offers the benefits of city life at a more relaxed pace.

Swipe through to discover a few reasons students choose to study and study here.

09/09/2026

In July, medical student Diana had the opportunity to present her research at the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI). Her research focused on an important question: after major emergency surgery, can we predict not only whether someone will survive, but also how well they will recover?

Using data from ELLSA (the Emergency Laparoscopic and Laparotomy Scottish Audit), Diana and her team compared the NELA score and CFS to assess how well they predicted functional recovery in 437 patients aged 65 and over. They found that the NELA score was the better predictor.

In her blog, Diana said: “Although this is surgery, much of the risk assessment sits with anaesthetists. The NELA score is calculated before the operation and used across perioperative medicine — the care of patients before, during and after surgery. As someone hoping to become an anaesthetist, I found it exciting that a simple bedside score might strengthen the conversations we have with patients about the recovery that matters most to them.”
Read more ➡️ http://abdn.io/2pQ

08/09/2026

Pregnant women with multiple long-term health conditions are twice as likely to experience preterm birth and nine times more likely to die during pregnancy than those without health conditions. Despite this, there are currently no defined care requirements for pregnant women living with more than one long-term health condition.

Over three years, the i-Bump team, led by Dr Mairead Black, Clinical Reader in Obstetrics at the University of Aberdeen and Honorary Consultant Obstetrician at NHS Grampian, will work to address the challenges faced by these women by developing the first-ever package of care designed to reduce the risks they encounter during pregnancy.

This work has been made possible through a £1.3 million award from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Dr Black will also be supported by experts in implementation science, including Dr Kristin Konnyu and Dr Rosalind Adam, both also based at the University of Aberdeen.

Partners in the research include co-lead Prof Judith Dyson from Birmingham City University, several university and NHS partners and a public panel with lived experience of multiple long-term health conditions.

Read more ➡️http://abdn.io/2ps

07/09/2026

🎨 Combining art and medicine, University of Aberdeen is co-hosting Breathing Bodies, a city-wide exhibition running until 22nd November this year.

Created by French artist Ikse Maître in collaboration with des Vues de l’esprit, Breathing Bodies uses medical imaging, including MRI to create immersive art installations that encourage audiences to reflect on what it means to be human beneath our skin.

Breathing Bodies is part of the V|LFSpiro3D European research project and complements the global Chest MRI Advanced School which will be hosted at the university 15-17 September, bringing international experts together to advance MRI technology for respiratory diseases.

Read more ➡️ http://abdn.io/2po

04/09/2026

Another great 2026 NSS result! We ranked 9th in the UK for positive responses in Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry.