Translational Medicine Brochure
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Global Challenge Birmingham Science City The global challenges relating to human To facilitate access to the latest thinking, Birmingham and Warwick in a newly health are, without doubt, some of the research and equipment in translational formed Science City Research Alliance most important we face across society. medicine, Advantage West Midlands has (SCRA). The initiative also includes From global pandemics to how we deal invested almost £20M in the development investment in two other platforms – with the many health issues associated of a range of new facilities at the University advanced materials and energy. with ageing and obese populations, of Birmingham and the University of the challenges are immense. Central Warwick. The investment establishes the West to addressing many of these medical Midlands region as a leading research and needs, is the ability to respond quickly These nationally important facilities are technology centre of expertise. and bring solutions forward safely. part of the larger investment by Advantage Continuing to invest in effective health West Midlands in the research research will remain key to achieving infrastructure of the West Midlands this goal. region. It unites the Universities of real tangible now
Total internal reflection fluorescent (TIRF) microscope Translational Medicine at the University of Birmingham This project is led jointly by the University of Birmingham and the University of Warwick, but involves other important partners, including the Wellcome Trust, the Wolfson Foundation, the MRC and the NHS. It focuses on expanding and enhancing experimental research and clinical development in five therapeutically important areas:
Cardiovascular Infection Metabolism Neuroscience Reproduction
Underpinning these research themes, is excellence in clinical trials at both institutions. Getting Involved The aim of the project is to encourage industrial and academic collaboration in a range of research and development projects. It provides an opportunity for organisations to access internationally renowned expertise, state-of-the art equipment, and unique clinical facilities. Gait Laboratory at the University of Warwick The objective is to encourage more rapid development of new processes and treatments, and to ensure that the West Midlands region is positioned to benefit from future research investment in health. What Next To find out how your business could benefit from the programme, please contact:
Dr Rubina Mian Dr Debbie Girdlestone Business Engagement Manager – Business Engagement Manager – Experimental Medicine Clinical Trials University of Birmingham University of Warwick B15 2SQ CV4 8UW UK UK
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 7795 207 888 Tel: +44 (0) 7824 541 198
Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Warwick Body composition imaging by DXA scanning in the Health Research Bus at the University of Birmingham (Images courtesy of GE Healthcare)
human biomaterials the resource centre
Human tissue samples and The HBRC offers access to existing associated datasets represent a sample collections, bespoke tissue most valuable resource for scientists collection and processing for specific engaged in translational research. research projects. This includes Access to such collections will access to material from patients in undoubtedly aid the development a variety of disease settings; tissue of better diagnostic and prognostic which is surplus to diagnosis, waste tools, and new drug therapies. material, additional samples taken A human tissue bio-repository has for research purposes, and material been established at the University taken from patients enrolled in of Birmingham – the first of its clinical trials. The HBRC is licensed kind in the West Midlands. The by the Human Tissue Authority and Human Biomaterials Resource has been ethically approved, so Centre (HBRC) is dedicated investigators who access material to the collection and storage of will not need to apply for separate appropriately consented, quality- project-specific approval in the vast assured biomaterials for distribution majority of cases. to biomedical research groups both in academia and industry. The Director of the HBRC is Dr Jane Steele who works in collaboration with local pathologists, surgeons and other hospital personnel to collect and catalogue the tissue.
Human biomaterials are collected and banked in response to demand for existing research, and will also enable development in important future research areas – such as biomarker discovery programmes. The identification and cataloguing of clinical data alongside the tissue provides powerful insights into the nature and pathology of disease, and will inform future therapeutic strategies.
Computational neuroscience at the University of Birmingham calorimetry the whole body concept
Obesity and co-morbidities are two of the This important facility will be used to changes in energy expenditure related major public health concerns facing our understand how diet, physical activity and to new drugs, food products and society. other aspects of behaviour – such as lifestyle neutraceuticals. and sleep patterns – all impact upon the The new Dual Whole Body Calorimeter ability to mitigate weight gain. Furthermore, This facility will open up exciting (WBC) in Coventry is a landmark investment due to its highly sensitive gas analyser, opportunities to carry out research that for research and development in this area. the WBC will enable us to measure small we are currently unable to do – such as studying novel gaseous biomarkers for The system consists of two sealed rooms cancer, metabolic, gastrointestinal and with a constant and measured supply of “Obesity is a major risk factor for Type 2 respiratory diseases. fresh air. The occupant’s rate of oxygen diabetes and therefore we are pleased consumption and carbon dioxide production to hear about the setting up of this facility The WBC will be under the direction of are measured to calculate their energy which will help to advance research in this Professor Sudhesh Kumar as part of the expenditure, through accurate continuous important area.” Human Energy Metabolism and Body monitoring of the air composition within the Composition Research Unit (BCRU) room. Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research, at University Hospital Coventry and Diabetes UK Warwickshire. sea change
www.birminghamsciencecity.co.uk
Dr Filipa Vance Dr Claire Potter Research Support Services Research and Knowledge Transfer Office (MDS) University of Warwick University of Birmingham CV4 8UW B15 2TT UK UK
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 247 615 0204 Tel: +44 (0) 121 414 8262 Fax: +44 (0) 247 652 4991 Fax: +44 (0) 121 414 7419