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Achievements
In this section you can read summaries of achievements by MRC-funded researchers over the last decade, listed by year. These have been selected from more than 2,000 MRC research findings that are published each year in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Parkinson's disease – progression slowed
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2004
A new drug has been found to slow the loss of nerve function in early Parkinson's disease by a third compared with the best current treatment.
Blood clots – the role of Vitamin K
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2004
Researchers from the MRC’s Clinical Sciences Centre have identified the gene that controls the production of the protein responsible for the action of Vitamin K, which is necessary for the formation of blood clots.
Seasonal body clock regulated by gene interaction
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2004
Scientists in Scotland have discovered what makes the body’s seasonal clock, which affects mood, appetite and energy levels, tick.
Link between fat intake and breast cancer
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2004
Scientists funded by the MRC and Cancer Research UK have found evidence of a link between consumption of fat and breast cancer.
Cannabis and MS – largest trial ever finds no measurable benefit
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2004
Researchers have found mixed evidence about the value of cannabis-derived treatments for people with Multiple Sclerosis but conclude that such treatments may be of benefit for some patients.
New 3D imaging technique will aid research into gene function
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2004
The MRC Human Genetics Unit in Edinburgh has developed a new imaging technique, Optical Projection Tomography, which produces high-resolution 3D images of tissue.
Nobel Prize for MRC funded scientist
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2004
MRC funded scientist, Sir Peter Mansfield, Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Nottingham, shared the 2003 Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine for his pioneering work on magnetic resonance imaging.
1918 flu virus - riddle solved
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2004
MRC scientists have solved an 85-year old riddle by determining the structure of the flu virus which jumped from birds to humans in 1918 killing more than 20 million people worldwide.
Obesity, fast-food and unintentional over-eating connected
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2004
Fast foods can increase the risk of weight gain and obesity in regular consumers by encouraging unintentional over-eating, say Medical Research Council (MRC) scientists.