Heritage
A history of innovation – the 1400s to 2006
In the 15th century, Aberdeen University established the world’s first Department of Medicine.
More recently, Scotland’s medical breakthroughs include the discovery of antibiotics, the production of Dolly the sheep, the discovery of the p53 tumour suppressor gene and the development of magnetic resonance imaging. And Scotland is committed to maintaining its position as a global leader in life sciences.
Scottish innovations - medical practice and life sciences
| 1768 | John Hunter, the father of modern surgery was elected surgeon to St. George's Hospital. |
| 1850 | James Young Simpson introduced anaesthesia |
| 1870 | Joseph Lister pioneered antiseptic surgery |
| 1880 | Sir William McEwan performed the first bone graft |
| 1920 | John MacLeod won the Nobel Prize for Insulin |
| 1929 | Sir Alexander Fleming discovered Penicillin |
| 1950s | Prof Ian Donald pioneered ultrasound scanning in gynaecology |
| 1957 | Alick Isaacs developed Interferon |
| 1970s | Prof John B Stenlake developed Atracurium, the world’s best selling muscle relaxant |
| 1979 | Prof Sir David Lane discovered the p53 tumour suppressor gene |
| 1980 | Prof. John Mallard developed the MRI scanner |
| 1980s | Sir David Jack developed Zantac and Ventolin |
| 1992 | Sir James Black won the Nobel Prize for ß-blockers |
| 1997/8 | Roslin Institute created Dolly the sheep |
Recent ground-breaking innovations:
| 2000 | Optos plc Panoramic200 Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (P200) |
| 2004 | Touch Bionics Unique iLimb Hand with articulating fingers and a range of grips |
| 2005 | Aircraft Medical McGrath Series 5 - the world's first fully portable video laryngoscope |
License technologies from Scottish Universities
Thinking about licensing or collaboration? The University Technology website allows you to search for technologies developed in Scotland's universities.
Interface is a central access point for industry to Scotland’s university research base, and provides information about the specialist expertise available at Scottish universities. The website gives up-to-date information, and the service offered is free, rapid, confidential and available to everyone. Interface has the ability to source the appropriate expertise for you by accessing information on the knowledge, skills and facilities that exist within Scotland's universities.
All the things that Scots have given the world
Find out more about Scottish inventions on the Scottish Enterprise website