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Research Areas

Genetics and Rare Diseases

Genetics and Rare Diseases

Our role is to support the delivery of high-quality clinical research in Genetics and manage participant recruitment to time and target, both for Genetics studies which are led from Scotland, and studies led from other nations which Scottish sites are participating in.  We provide support in the following areas:

  • Managing the study portfolio
  • Monitoring the attainment of recruitment targets
  • Providing advice on study design and feasibility
  • Troubleshooting issues with poor recruitment
  • Identifying potential sites for studies
  • Facilitating access to resource to support research, for example through Clinical Research Facility (CRF) Research Nurses.

At the moment we support more than 30 genetics and rare diseases studies, about a third of which are led from Scotland. 

Studies

The Specialty supports the delivery and promotion of clinical research studies in a wide range of areas, including:

  • Rare diseases
  • Causes and prevention of birth defects
  • Common disorders such as familial cancer, and
  • Genetic approaches to their treatment and prevention.

There are more than 7000 rare genetic disorders which collectively affect 1 person in 17. When viewed as a group, rare diseases are very common. The approach made possible by collaboration across the four UK nations means we are able to collect together enough people with a particular condition to make a research project feasible. This leads to more opportunities for people with rare genetic diseases to participate in research, which in turn leads to improved care and the development of new treatments.

Information for patients, carers and the public

NHS Research Scotland is committed to actively involving patients, those who care for them and the public in all aspects of the research process, including shaping future research activity. Read more

Key Contacts