The Scottish Metabolomics Network will host its 10th annual meeting on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th November 2025 at the John McIntyre Conference Centre (JMCC) at the University of Edinburgh. We aim to continue our tradition of fostering collaboration and innovation across Scotland’s metabolomics community.
The two-day symposium will bring together researchers from across Scotland’s universities and research institutes. Attendance is expected to reflect the network’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with broad representation from students, early career researchers, group leaders, technical staff, and industry partners.
This year’s plenary speaker is Professor Caroline Johnson, whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of metabolomic signatures in colon cancer and exposures. Her talk will explore the translational potential of metabolomics in precision medicine.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr Joy Edwards-Hicks, known for her pioneering work in how age-related metabolic changes impact lymphocyte signalling and function. Her presentation will highlight recent advances in biomarker discovery and the integration of metabolomics with clinical diagnostics.
The symposium will feature:
A dedicated Early Career Researcher (ECR) session
Talks spanning clinical metabolism, plant and animal metabolomics, and translational applications
Poster presentations and awards for outstanding contributions
Building on the success of previous years, the meeting will also feature a Symposium dinner on Tuesday 25th November at South Hall, Pollock Hall Campus, University of Edinburgh.
The event will conclude with a celebration of the network’s achievements and a look ahead to future initiatives in Scottish metabolomics.
Register for the conference on 25 - 26 November 2025 here (deadline Friday 21st November 2025)
The up to date programme for SMN2025 can be downloaded from here as a pdf
Register for the training day 24 November 2025 here (deadline Friday 21st November 2025)
The up to date programme for the SMN Training Day can be downloaded from here as a pdf.
WHO WE ARE
Scottish Researchers into Metabolism
Metabolomics is the analysis of all of metabolism - the process by which living organisms grow, reproduce and interact with their environments. Scotland houses world-class groups and facilities from Inverness to East Kilbride, analysing small molecules of biological origin.
Keep up to date with Scottish Metabolomics Network on Twitter (X), LinkedIn and BlueSky
Quotes from SMN Board Members
Dr Natalie Homer, Treasurer of the SMN, University of Edinburgh
"Metabolomics is such a powerful tool. It is the measurement of small molecules - metabolites - in a biological system. Using this approach we can identify disease markers and contribute to precision medicine and drug discovery. Technology is key to metabolomic developments and it is exciting to see the advances in the field year on year“
Dr Tessa Moses, EDI Lead for the SMN, University of Edinburgh
"As the EDI Lead for the Scottish Metabolomics Network, I am committed to creating a truly inclusive and equitable environment where every researcher, regardless of background, can fully contribute their talents. The network's goal is to ensure that diversity is not just represented, but is actively leveraged to drive stronger collaboration and more innovative metabolomics research across Scotland."
Dr Gavin Blackburn, Secretary of the SMN, University of Glasgow
"Since attending the first SMN Meeting in Edinburgh to joining the committee as secretary I have seen the metabolomics community across Scotland grow and include new members from different backgrounds and research areas, who have come together to find ways to answer crucial research questions using metabolomics and lipidomics technologies. The interactions and discussions that this network have fostered have been key to my development as a scientist and have shape the way I am currently leading my team at MVLS Shared Research Facilities at the University of Glasgow. The SMN provides a welcoming space for everyone involved in metabolomics research, whatever their career stage and goals, and I aim to help continue this as best I can.’"
WHERE WE ARE
Our facilities and research groups are spread across scotland from Aberdeen in the North East to East Kilbride. Find out where your closest metabolomics experts are - The Network — The Scottish Metabolomics Network
Get in touch
If you would like to join the network, share your news, publications, or job openings reach us via
Email: contact@scottishmetabolomics.net
Twitter (X): @ScotMetNet
LinkedIn: @ScotMetNet
BlueSky: @scotmetnet.bsky.social
Dr Will Allwood, Outgoing Chair of the SMN, James Hutton Institute
"I started working in metabolomics eighteen years ago as a plant pathology PhD student and have since gone on to work with the technology across the plant and food sciences, as well as clinical. When I arrived in Scotland in 2015, I was taken back by the diversity of research and metabolomics talent within the country, as well as the collegiate approach which largely was centred on the Scottish Metabolomics Network that was founded and forged by Karl Burgess. Therefore, when Karl invited me to take on the role of chair, I was delighted to do so with the common aim of bringing together researchers from across different areas of technology and areas of application, to help each other in gaining the best out of their research.”