Research Home
The Faculty of Life Sciences was recently formed from a merger between the School of Human Sciences and the School of Psychology. The School of Human Sciences boasts a £30 million new Science Centre which was opened in 2006 and houses the largest teaching laboratory in Europe, as well as a research lab for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and research facilities for sports science and dietetics/nutrition. Drawing on this capital resource, the School’s research follows four main strands: biomedical sciences and applied biology; dietetics and nutrition; pharmaceutical science and sports science and therapy. Research within the School of Psychology is focused around two research groups: counselling and health and cognition, development and education. Research in both groups is driven by the University’s strategic goal to offer real-world solution to real-world problems locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Other research areas include social psychology and occupational psychology.
Current Research
Research in Biomedical Sciences and Applied Biology includes works which is part-funded by the NHS and Royal Society and is exploring the opportunistic use of host microvesiculation to increase infection by intracellular pathogens. As part of studies to understand the mechanisms parasites use to inhibit host complement attack, molecular modelling and empirical structural biology data (NMR) are being used to understand the exact mechanism by which complement regulators, including the peptide H17, interact with complement. Elsewhere, projects on HIV are attempting to identify virus neutralisation epitopes with clinical isolates of HIV-1 in the design of an HIV vaccine. Other genetics research focuses on: asthma and atopy; heart defects and Downs Syndrome; fetal growth genes; obesity and risk factors in bronchiolitis.
Research in Dietetics and Nutrition aims to identify dietary factors associated with increased risk of chronic disease and to understand the metabolic basis for diet-related diseases. Research activities include: nutrition support; obesity and cardiovascular disease; gastrointestinal health; clinical nutrition; nutrition-related audits; and consumer studies and public health.
The School’s interests in Pharmaceutical Science lie in biomedical drug delivery and the design and synthesis of co-polymers for loading anti-cancer drugs and biocompatible gels for gene therapy. Further work has focussed on ‘star’ copolymers and their applications in controlled drug release. Luminisecent lanthanide complexes, systems that find application to both MRI contrast agents and as biological markers, are also studied. Finally drug design has focussed on anti-malarials, specifically novel protozoan glutamate dehydrogenase inhibitors.
Research in Sports Science and Therapy includes the investigation of patello-femoral pain syndrome (PFPS) due to patello-femoral joint maltracking. A twin calliper system has been developed to clinically measure patella tracking. This can abe used as a diagnostic tool for preventative therapy, to diagnose tracking problems and to objectively measure outcomes from therapeutic treatment and rehabilitation. The calliper has been validated against magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Continued Emerald funding will enable patenting and further research. If market analysis is successful then with industrial backing the product will be manufactured.
Research activity is focused around two research groups: Counselling & Health and Cognition, Development & Education. Research in both groups is driven by the University’s strategic goal to offer real-world solutions to real-world problems of society; locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Other research areas include Social Psychology and Occupational Psychology.
In the School of Psychology, the Counselling & Health group’s research is clustered around three main themes: understanding health behaviours in vulnerable populations; health and psychopathology; health and group dynamics. This work has been supported with grants from the Food Standards Agency, the ESRC and Breast Cancer Campaign. Meanwhile research conducted by the Cognition, Development & Education Group is clustered around two main themes: investigating the domain general cognitive processes that underpin the development of flexible thinking and representational change; teaching and learning in higher education. This work has been supported with grants from HEFCE, the ESRC and the ESF.
Opportunities for Postgraduate Research
Within the School of Health Sciences there is dedicated supervisory expertise in : biomedical sciences and applied biology (molecular and cellular immunology, molecular biology, parasitology, virology, bacteriology and structural biology); dietetics and nutrition (allergy, diabetes, obesity, minority ethnic communities, public health, neurology, beganism, cardiovascular diseases, mineral intake, essential fatty acids, nutrigenomics and appetite regulation); pharmaceutical science (chemistry, pharmacology and medicinal chemistry); sports science and therapy (patello-femoral pain syndrome [PFPS], biomecahics and applied physiology). Within the School of Psychology there is dedicated supervisory expertise in: addiction psychology; child mental health; cognition and cognitive development; counselling psychology; health psychology; occupational psychology; social psychology; sport and performance psychology; and teaching and learning in Higher Education. The faculty warmly welcomes applications from prospective MRes, MPhil, Dprof and PhD students across this full range of supervisory expertise.
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Staff Research Profiles |
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Dr Una Fairbrother: Genetics of Complex Human Disease Prof Jameel Inal: Cellular and Molecular Immunology Research |
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| Research Home |
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| Cellular and Molecular Immunology Research Centre |
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| Microbiology Research Unit |
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| Research in Psychology |
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| Lipidomics and Nutrition Research Centre |
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| Research Active Staff |
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