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Research leaders appointed to advance Southampton biomedical research
Two globally respected researchers are taking leading roles in the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Professor Nicholas Harvey has been appointed as the new Director Designate. Professor Diana Baralle has been selected as the Director Designate co-lead. Together, they will lead the development of the next phase of the research centre. Pending a successful award, this is expected to launch in 2028. What is the BRC? The NIHR Southampton BRC is a longstanding pa
10 hours ago
Clinical trial takes steps towards first paratyphoid vaccine
A UK study has shown that a vaccine can protect people against paratyphoid fever. Paratyphoid fever affects over two million people globally each year. Yet no licensed vaccine is currently available. The clinical trial involved six UK sites, including University Hospital Southampton. Volunteers took part locally at the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility (CRF). The new oral vaccine was shown to provide significant protection. There weren’t any safety concerns. ‘Major
3 days ago
New prehabilitation guidelines to improve cancer outcomes
Southampton researchers have co-developed new national guidelines on preparing patients for cancer treatments. Prehabilitation prepares people physically and mentally for cancer treatments. It ensures they are as healthy as possible beforehand. This is achieved through exercise, a healthy diet and psychological support. Research shows that people with cancer who have prehabilitation have better treatment outcomes. This includes fewer complications, a faster recovery and short
5 days ago
Three-quarters of people not getting enough omega-3
Over three-quarters of people around the world are not eating the recommended intake of omega-3, new research shows. Southampton researchers have found 76 percent of people worldwide are not meeting recommended intakes of two omega-3s, EPA and DHA. The review was a collaboration between researchers at the University of Southampton, University of East Anglia and Holland & Barrett. It is the first global review of national and international omega-3 intake recommendations across
Dec 8
New vaccine offers fresh hope for controlling whooping cough
A human challenge trial has shown a new vaccine could offer better protection against whooping cough. This follows a new report that highlights that 2024 whooping cough numbers were at their worst in 30 years. Whooping cough is a serious and sometimes deadly disease. It affects millions of people worldwide each year. Vaccines for whooping cough are already part of routine childhood immunisations in the UK. However they don’t provide lifelong protection. They also don’t
Dec 3
Bacteria-eating virus collection could help tackle hospital superbug
Southampton researchers are leading an international project on a potential new treatment for a serious threat in hospitals. They have found it in a surprising location - hospital toilets. The team have comprehensively catalogued a new collection of bacteria-eating viruses called phages. They have sourced these, in part, from hospital wastewater. These phages could potentially be used to treat one of the world’s most dangerous hospital superbugs. Serious threat to patients Th
Nov 27
Vitamin B1 boost for intensive care patients in trial to prevent and treat delirium
Left to right: James Allen, UHS Chief Pharmacist, Prof Cathy McKenzie, Professor of Intensive Care Pharmacy, and Prof Mike Grocott, Director of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre Southampton researchers are leading a new trial to see if giving certain patients vitamin B1 reduces the chances of delirium during intensive care. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often experience a syndrome called delirium. This causes hallucinations and can make patients very
Nov 20
New NIHR Research Professor to help tackle antibiotic resistance
Professor Tristan Clark is one of six new outstanding research leaders chosen to address urgent health challenges in the UK. He has been appointed as an NIHR Research Professor. The Professorship will provide up to £2 million to deliver ambitious, translational research. Professor Clark is a leading expert in infectious diseases. His research is reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in acute respiratory infection through rapid diagnostic tests. He is a professor at the Univer
Nov 5
Supporting emergency blood donation in rural Ghana: Meet Honghui Shen
When emergencies happen, swift and safe blood transfusion is vital. Road accidents and heavy bleeding around childbirth are common in countries such as Ghana in West Africa. However, blood stocks are often chronically low. Honghui Shen is a PhD student at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Based at the University of Southampton, he is developing a digital health app that will be piloted in Ghana to boost donations. He shares his hopes for his project and what ad
Nov 3
Research study reaches milestone to help tackle severe viral infections
Over 900 people have taken part in a national study to help improve ways to prevent and treat respiratory infections. The UNIVERSAL study is exploring how and when patients with different respiratory viruses may progress to more serious disease. This could help develop effective antiviral treatments to combat these infections. The study is being led by Southampton’s Professor Tom Wilkinson. He is a theme lead at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. The research is
Oct 31
Southampton joins UK-wide effort to fight infections and drug resistance
Researchers in Southampton are part of a new Translational Research Collaboration (TRC) in Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The new network will rally research communities across the UK to help fight infections. It is backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Southampton’s Professor Robert Read will co-lead one of the TRC’s core workstreams. This will expand early-phase vaccine research. It will also help identify correlates of protect
Oct 24
Flu vaccine spray trial launches for children aged one
Ros Gough and her son Eddie University Hospital Southampton and primary care services are leading a trial to test the nasal flu vaccine in one-year-old children . The FluSNIFF study is inviting families to take part at around 100 GP practices across the UK. Three hospital sites are also taking part. The trial is being led by co-chief investigators Professor Saul Faust and Dr Alasdair Munro from the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility. It is exploring whether the nasal
Oct 17
Weight loss pill aims to bridge gap in obesity treatments
An expanding pill trialled in Southampton could soon offer a new and affordable weight loss treatment. It follows a successful clinical trial at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). Participants in Southampton took part at the NIHR Clinical Research Facility at UHS. The treatment was developed by Oxford Medical Products (OMP). OMP partnered with the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) for the trial. They also partnered with the NIHR Bristol BRC, and the North
Oct 16
Muscle matters: Why your strength is key to lifelong health
Muscle health is about more than just fitness — it’s about staying well, active and independent throughout your life. Dr Mark Burton, a researcher at the University of Southampton, is working to help people understand how important muscle is for everyday health. He has recently completed a bridging fellowship at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Now, he's set to start a fellowship funded by the Vivensa Foundation. What is sarcopenia? Dr Burton studies sarcopeni
Oct 10
Advancing intensive care pharmacy: Meet Professor Cathy McKenzie
Professor Cathy McKenzie is a pharmacist delivering pioneering research in Southampton. She recently started as Professor of Intensive...
Oct 10
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