ROSLIN FOUNDATION HISTORY TIMELINE

1995 Roslin Institute incorporated

The Roslin Institute was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee (SC157100) and registered Scottish charity (SC023592). A wholly owned institute of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), it was based at the Poultry Research Centre in the village of Roslin, Midlothian. Its origins date back to 1919…

1996 Dolly the Sheep born

On 5 July 1996, Dolly, the first mammal cloned from an adult cel,l became the world’s most famous sheep, putting Roslin Institute on the world stage. Scientists at the Roslin Institute sought to understand more about how cells change during development and a team led by Professor Sir Ian Wilmut together with PPL Therapeutics embarked on a series of experiments. Dolly was cloned from a cell taken from the mammary gland of an adult Finn Dorset sheep and an egg cell from a Scottish Blackface sheep. As the first mammal cloned from an adult cell her birth proved that specialised cells could be used to create an exact copy of the animal they came from. The knowledge gained from this experiment changed what scientists thought was possible and opened the door to transformative advances in biology and medicine, including the development of personalised stem cells, known as induced pluripotent (iPS) cells.

1997 Roslin BioCentre established

In 1997 the Institute established Roslin BioCentre, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Institute – purpose built on the Roslin estate to provide quality accommodation and support services to encourage the commercialisation of Roslin Institute and other academic spinouts. The creation of the BioCentre also included the provision of a children’s nursery for the use of all staff on site. Also, this year, the staff and research facilities of the Neuropathogenesis Unit (NPU) of the Institute of Animal Health transferred to the Roslin Institute. 1998 Roslin Bio-Med established Roslin Bio-Med Ltd was established to commercialise the intellectual property arising from Dolly and other Roslin Institute research, helping maximise the return from scientific discoveries to support future research. One of the company’s directors was John Brown who later became Chair of the Roslin Foundation.

1998 Roslin Bio-Med established

Roslin Bio-Med Ltd was established to commercialise the intellectual property arising from Dolly and other Roslin Institute research, helping maximise the return from scientific discoveries to support future research. One of the company’s directors was John Brown who later became Chair of the Roslin Foundation.

1999 Roslin Bio-Med acquired by Geron Corporation

In May 1999, US biotechnology company Geron Corporation acquired Roslin Bio-Med for approximately US$26 million. The proceeds were retained by the Roslin Institute, creating the long-term investment that would ultimately fund the establishment of the Roslin Foundation. As part of the deal, Geron committed to investing more than US$20 million in research funding at the Roslin Institute over a six year period to pursue regenerative medicine.

2000 First cloned pigs born

Building on the success of Dolly, Roslin Institute scientists produced the world’s first cloned pigs. The work demonstrated that nuclear transfer technology could be applied to other livestock species, opening new opportunities for agriculture and biomedical research.

2001 Ark Genomics established

In 2001 the Roslin Institute incorporated Ark Genomics, a company to provide infrastructure and services for breeding programmes, research activities and the generation of phenotypic data for insect and other species. This company now belongs to the Roslin Technologies group of companies.

2002 Roslin’s cloning expertise gains global recognition

Following Dolly’s success, Roslin Institute scientists became internationally recognised leaders in cloning and genetic technologies, with their research helping to shape new approaches in agriculture, biotechnology and human health.

2003 Dolly’s legacy lives on

Dolly was euthanised in February 2003 after developing a progressive lung disease. Although her life was relatively short, she demonstrated that adult cells could be reprogrammed to create an entire organism, transforming biological research and inspiring decades of advances in regenerative medicine. Roslin Institute became a major shareholder in Well Cow Ltd, a company developing wireless monitoring technologies for livestock health and environmental monitoring. The technology was successfully adopted by cattle farmers worldwide.

2004 Formation of Edinburgh Science Triangle

In 2004 Roslin Institute was a key contributor to the formation of Edinburgh Science Triangle (EST), a multi-disciplinary partnership between universities, research institutes, the National Health Service, science parks, Scottish Enterprise, and central and local government in Edinburgh and neighbouring council areas. The three points of the “triangle” were Livingston in West Lothian, Musselburgh in East Lothian, and the Easter Bush campus in Midlothian. This collaborative project aimed to attract new indigenous and inward investment, and to build a professional scientific community based on academic research and commercial enterprises.

2005 Roslin Cells established

In 2005 Roslin Institute incorporated a company called Roslin Cells (mainly driven by Malcolm Bateman) to undertake the generation of new human-embryonic stem cell lines (hESCs).

2006 Shinya Yamanaka discovers the Yamanaka Factors

Building on the principles of cellular reprogramming demonstrated through the creation of Dolly the Sheep, Shinya Yamanaka showed that specialised adult cells could be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells using just four defined genetic factors. This breakthrough transformed regenerative medicine and paved the way for new approaches to disease modelling, drug discovery and cell-based therapies.

2007 Roslin Developments created

In 2007 the Roslin Institute created Roslin Developments, a special purpose vehicle to oversee the construction of the new Roslin Institute at Easter Bush Research Campus.

2008 Roslin Foundation established

In 2008 the Roslin Institute transferred its staff, research contracts and equipment to the University of Edinburgh. At the same time, the Roslin Foundation was established to safeguard the legacy funds generated by the sale of Roslin Bio-Med and subsequent investments in spin-out companies, ensuring these assets continue to support pioneering research and innovation at the Roslin Institute.

2009 Roslin Cells establishes first European GMP grade hESC line

In 2009 Roslin Cells became the first European company to successfully establish a GMP grade hESC (human embryonic stem cell) line.

2010 Preparing for a new era at Easter Bush

Construction of the new Roslin Institute building at the Easter Bush campus neared completion. The Foundation continued to oversee the development project, paving the way for the Institute’s move in 2011.

2011 The University’s Roslin Institute relocates to Easter Bush

In 2011 the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute relocated from the historical Roslin Institute site to the University’s Easter Bush Campus as part of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

2012 Groundbreaking CRISPR papers / Shinya Yamanaka wins Nobel Prize

In 2012 Shinya Yamanaka and John Gurdon won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent. Also this year, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier published their landmark CRISPR-Cas9 paper, proving that bacterial Cas9 enzyme could be programmed using a single engineered RNA to act as molecular scissors and cut DNA at any desired sequence.

2013 Roslin Cells opened manufacturing facility

In 2013 Roslin Cells opened its custom-made ATMP manufacturing facility at Edinburgh University’s Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM). Its headquarters and process development labs were also located at nearby building NINE at Edinburgh’s BioQuarter. This year Shinya Yamanaka won the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his work with iPS cells.

2014 Bill Gates visits Roslin

Bill Gates visited the Easter Bush Campus to learn how Roslin Institute research is improving animal health, food security and livelihoods in low- and middle-income countries. The visit highlighted the Institute’s growing international impact and its role in addressing global challenges.

2015 Roslin Cells spins out Roslin CT and Censo Biotechnologies

In 2015 the activities of Roslin Cells were split into two new companies: Roslin Cell Therapies, trading as RoslinCT, and Censo Biotechnologies, now trading as Axol Bioscience.

RoslinCT is a leading cell therapy Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) focused on providing services for companies developing cell based therapeutic products for both European and US clinical trials.

Axol is a specialist CRO with skills in complex cell biology specialising in models of human neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory and inflammatory disease models.

2016 EBiSC established

In 2016 Censo led a 26-partner consortium to establish the European Bank for induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (EBiSC), creating one of the world’s largest repositories of high-quality iPSC lines for research and drug discovery.

That same year, Edinburgh Science Triangle evolved into Midlothian Science Zone (MSZ) – a collaborative partnership bringing together leading expertise in animal health, life sciences and One Health innovation. The Roslin Foundation remains an active supporter of MSZ today.

2017 Gene-edited pigs show resistance to devastating viral disease

Roslin Institute scientists developed gene-edited pigs with resistance to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), one of the most economically damaging diseases affecting pig production worldwide. The breakthrough demonstrated the potential of precision gene editing to improve animal health, welfare and global food security.

2018Roslin BioCentre closes

In 2018 the Roslin BioCentre was closed, and its activities including those of Censo were transferred to the Roslin Innovation Centre, located on the University of Edinburgh’s Easter Bush Campus.

In November of this year, Roslin Cells’ inventory of GMP and research grade hESC lines transferred to the University of Edinburgh.

2019 Gene-editing takes another step towards disease-resistant livestock

Roslin Institute scientists demonstrated that a small, targeted gene edit could prevent avian influenza virus from replicating in chicken cells. The breakthrough represented an important step towards developing chickens resistant to bird flu, with the potential to improve animal welfare, food security and reduce the risk of future pandemics.

2020 Roslin Foundation funds the FAST programme

In 2020 Roslin Foundation, along with BBSRC and Edinburgh Innovations, provided seed funding for the Food & Agriculture Science Transformer (FAST) programme, which brings together Deep Science Ventures and the Roslin Institute.

The two-year project successfully led to the creation of two new companies, Rhizocore and Aquanzo.

Also this year, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing CRISPR-Cas9.

2021 Roslin CT sold to GHO Capital Partners

In December 2021 the sale of Roslin CT to GHO Capital Partners was completed, creating the investment base that continues to fund the Roslin Foundation’s charitable activities today.

Also this year, Censo and Axol Biosciences signed a merger agreement. The new entity becomes a leading provider of product and service solutions in the iPSC-based neuroscience, immune cell, and cardiac modelling for drug discovery and screening markets.

2022 Roslin Foundation launches its new funding programme

Following the sale of Roslin CT, the Foundation expanded the board (recruiting five new board members) and moved into new premises at Bush House, part of the Edinburgh Technopole site – with close links to the University’s Easter Bush Campus.

The Foundation began developing a programme to support and develop biosciences as it relates to agriculture and biomedicine, beginning with a bespoke, enhanced PhD studentship programme.

2023 First PhD cohort and first major research portfolio

In 2023 the first cohort of four PhD students, funded in full by the Roslin Foundation, began their research careers at the Roslin Institute. With the Roslin Institute, the Foundation developed a bespoke programme, offering enhanced stipend, and the opportunity to travel internationally. The Foundation also approved funding for two new research projects in collaboration with the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) and co-funded the acquisition of a state-of-the-art bio-imaging system for the Roslin Institute.

Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, leader of the team that created Dolly the Sheep, passed away in September 2023. His pioneering work transformed our understanding of biology, laying the foundations for regenerative medicine, stem cell research and modern gene-editing technologies.

2024 Strategic investment in Engineering Biology Hub and international partnerships

The second cohort of PhD students commenced, and the Foundation invested £1.2 million in the Engineering Biology Hub partnership (alongside the University of Edinburgh, the Gates Foundation, and the BBSRC). The Foundation also committed a further £1 million into seven new research projects including funding towards a new vector facility at the Roslin Institute and continued to support its investment in Axol.

Representatives of the Foundation also visited Nairobi, Kenya to view progress on projects committed in the previous year.

2025 Inaugural Sir Ian Wilmut Lecture

The Roslin Foundation launched the annual Sir Ian Wilmut Lecture to honour the life and scientific legacy of Professor Sir Ian Wilmut. The inaugural lecture was delivered by Nobel Laureate Professor Shinya Yamanaka, whose discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells built on the principles demonstrated through Dolly the Sheep, celebrating the lasting impact of Roslin’s pioneering research on regenerative medicine and biotechnology.

The Foundation committed a further £1.7 million towards research projects at the Roslin Institute, including continuation of the PhD Studentship programme, support of a further six research projects, and a commitment towards capital expenditure.

Today, the Roslin Foundation continues to invest the legacy created
through Dolly’s discovery into the next generation of bioscience.