Science Evidence Data and Digital Portfolio Annual Report 2024 - 2025

Infrastructure and Assets

To support our delivery on high quality scientific outputs, SEDD staff operate across Scotland to conduct their research. They utilise specialist lab facilities such as the National Reference Laboratory working to externally accredited quality assured standards. The Ellis Diagnostic Laboratories are a critical asset delivering towards food security and investigating for the presence of listed and non-listed diseases which have an adverse impact on the aquaculture sectors in Scotland. The Ellis Aquarium is a high biosecurity containment facility and there are also other aquarium facilities In Aberdeen. The main hub for freshwater is located at

Faskally near Pitlochry which also holds Genetic and Water Sampling Laboratories, but staff also work in Montrose and West Coast as well as owning scientific infrastructure and equipment in various freshwater catchments. Other SEDD colleagues work in core SG buildings across Scotland.

For the Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen, we are continuing to adapt to building losses as a result of storm damage, and related health and safety issues to develop medium and long-term solutions to continue our work. These solutions include maximising the laboratory potential within the Ellis building and redeveloping the Building A laboratory complex. We are also temporarily using alternative premises, including an ongoing collaboration with University of Aberdeen, as we continue to deliver on our essential work. A Strategic Outline Case is in development to address the future redevelopment of the Aberdeen site to support planning in the longer term.