Southampton researchers have developed the first patient-centred tools to assess severe asthma treatment. Severe asthma affects around 5-10% of patients with asthma. It can have a significant impact on quality of life, with many patients missing school or work due to the condition. Building understanding of the latest treatments could help improve patient care. The research team have created scoring systems for adults and children with severe asthma. They invited international healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients to take part in their development. These groups each shared which responses to treatment they think are most important. Dr Ekaterina Khaleva from the University of Southampton led the study. She is part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The study was undertaken within the European Union funded 3TR project . The team published their findings in the European Respiratory Journal . Treating severe asthma Biologics can treat some types of severe asthma. These are antibody-based treatments that are usually given as an injection. They can improve asthma control and reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. The downside of biologics is that they are burdensome for patients. They are also more expensive for the NHS than other treatments. People receiving biologics are closely monitored to ensure that they are receiving the right treatment to help manage their symptoms. However, there are no patient-centred tools to measure their response. Building on previous work A previous Southampton-led study developed Core Outcome Measures for Severe Asthma (COMSA). These are a set of tools that should be used in all studies about a specific topic. They allow researchers to compare results between studies more easily. This helps them to identify the most effective treatments. Building on this, researchers have now developed paediatric and adult CompOsite iNdexes For Response in asthMa (CONFiRM). A composite index combines multiple outcome measures into a single score. This provides a better assessment of patient response and treatment effectiveness. Dr Khaleva, an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in Paediatrics, said: “CONFiRM scores will help evaluate response to severe asthma treatment in a valid, standardised manner. “Previously there has been no agreed definition of improvement or deterioration, nor standardised terms for different response levels. Existing scoring systems focus only on adults and lack patient input and quality of life measures. “Working with an international team, we developed a composite index that standardises assessment. This ensures a more detailed and patient-centred approach to evaluating treatment response in children and adults with severe asthma.” People living with severe asthma were at the heart of this research. One participant said: “Biologics are seen as the go-to treatments. Being able to quantify what a response to treatment looks like will make it easier for those for whom they do not work. Rather than staying on a treatment that "might" be working, doctors and patients can gauge the level of response and react appropriately.” Patient-centred research CONFiRM incorporates severe asthma exacerbations and other outcome measures selected in the COMSA. They were weighted according to their relative importance in defining response by patient advocates and HCPs. By taking this approach, researchers addressed the gaps in previous efforts to define response and non-response to biologics, putting patients with severe asthma at the centre. A total of 147 expert HCPs and patient advocates from more than 25 countries completed the adult and paediatric surveys. The results were similar between the two groups. However, patients placed greater importance on asthma-specific quality of life than HCPs did. Severe exacerbations and maintenance oral corticosteroid use were rated as the most important factors in determining treatment response. Prof Graham Roberts is Professor of Paediatric Allergy and Respiratory Medicine at UoS. He also co-leads the Respiratory and Allergy theme at the NIHR Southampton BRC. Prof Roberts said: “CONFiRM has been developed by an international group of clinicians and patients. This means that it should be applicable around the world and relevant to both clinicians and patients. “The tool will help quantify the response of severe asthma to treatment. This will support clinicians and patients to make the best decisions about their future care. “As a validated outcome measure, CONFiRM can also be used to provide a holistic view of new treatment success in clinical trials.” Prof Chris Brightling is Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Leicester. He is also the respiratory lead for the 3TR programme. Prof Brightling said: “The 3TR programme is leading our understanding of response to biologic therapy in severe asthma. CONFiRM will allow us to standardise the way we measure response in trials that have already been completed. It will also be a useful tool in future clinical trials and real-world studies of severe asthma.”

Three Southampton professors have been recognised as outstanding research leaders by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Professors Miriam Santer, Nicholas Harvey and Tracey Sach have each been appointed as NIHR Senior Investigators. This prestigious honour underlines their status among the most prominent researchers in the UK. The Southampton awardees are all driving new research at the University of Southampton. They are also part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). New appointments The NIHR has appointed 39 new Senior Investigators in 2025. Senior Investigators are leaders of patient and people-based research within the NIHR research community. Miriam Santer is a Professor of Primary Care Research, and a GP in the South Coast Medical Group in Bournemouth. She is part of the NIHR Southampton BRC’s Respiratory and Allergy theme. She also works on projects in the Microbiology, Immunology and Infection theme. Her research focuses on supporting the self-management of long-term conditions. She is also interested in improving the use of medicines in primary care, with a particular focus on antibiotic stewardship. She said: “The NIHR is a fantastic organisation. It enables world-leading research, and leads the way in research inclusion and public involvement and engagement in research. “I am so happy to be named a NIHR Senior Investigator, and look forward to continuing to contribute to the work of the NIHR.” Nicholas Harvey is Professor of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology, and Director of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre (MRC LEC). He is part of the NIHR Southampton BRC’s Nutrition, Lifestyle and Metabolism theme. His research focuses on the development of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. He also investigates ways these fractures might be prevented. He said: "It is a tremendous honour to receive this NIHR Senior Investigator award. This reflects the efforts of many colleagues and collaborators across the BRC, MRC LEC and further afield. It also recognises the continued impact of Southampton's leadership globally. “NIHR has been a wonderful source of support for many years. I look forward to increasing integration with NIHR, particularly through our NIHR Southampton BRC." Tracey Sach is a Professor in Health Economics and co-head of the Primary Care Research Centre. Her research focuses on the methods and application of economic evaluation and health technology assessment. She works on projects aligned to the NIHR Southampton BRC’s Microbiology, Immunology and Infection theme, and Respiratory and Allergy theme. She said: “It is an honour to receive an NIHR senior Investigator award. This reflects not only my contribution to the NIHR research community, but also the contribution of all those who have supported me in my research journey. “I hope the award enables me to continue to support and inspire others in their NIHR research careers, particularly methodologists and those who balance research careers with caring responsibilities.” Acting as ambassadors Senior Investigators act as an ambassador for the NIHR in the wider system. As senior members of the NIHR Academy, they help develop the next generation of outstanding health and social care researchers. Funding is awarded for four-year appointments, on the recommendation of an independent committee. Successful applicants receive a discretionary award of £20,000 a year to fund activities that support their research.

Southampton researchers are driving new understanding of Inflammatory Bowel Disease through genetics. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) affects half a million people in the UK. Cases are rising, especially in children and young people, yet the exact causes remain unclear. The Genetics of IBD study began in 2010. Researchers are combining genetic and clinical data to uncover the causes of IBD. Over 3,000 people have now joined the study at University Hospital Southampton. Findings are helping patients and their clinical teams to better understand the cause of disease and use therapies more effectively. Combining genetic and clinical data Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common forms of IBD. These disorders involve chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Symptoms include stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, weight loss and extreme tiredness. Participants in the Genetics of IBD study provide blood samples for DNA analysis and consent to use of their clinical data. This has enabled researchers to map symptoms onto genetic changes. Key discoveries to date include specific DNA changes in over 7% of patients with Crohn’s disease. Analysis showed that changes affecting the NOD2  bacterial-sensing gene are the genetic root of these patients’ disease. The research team have also showed that patients with this genetic cause are ten times more likely to need intestinal surgery. Working alongside a pharmaceutical company, the team is helping to develop a gene-therapy treatment for NOD2 -deficient Crohn’s disease. It could prove transformational for this group of patients. The project is supported by the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Professor Sarah Ennis, Professor of Genomics at the University of Southampton, leads the study. Prof Ennis said: “Every patient who takes part in this study is helping us build a clearer picture of IBD. Understanding the genetic changes behind the disease is key to finding more effective treatments in the future. “Thank you to everyone involved for helping us reach this significant milestone.” The team are also pioneering the use of artificial intelligence to aid with analysis of data. Being able to quickly and accurately understand a patient’s clinical journey in a secure and responsible way is beginning to aid with moving genetic discoveries into clinical practice. A new clinical pathway A Paediatric Gastroenterology Genetics multidisciplinary team (MDT) was set up in 2022-23. It brings together specialists from Southampton, Oxford, Birmingham and Great Ormond Street Hospital. The MDT discusses cases where a genetic cause of IBD is suspected or confirmed. This informs the best possible care and treatments. New diagnoses of genetic disorders causing IBD have already been made in research patients. The team estimate around one in 500 patients recruited have an underlying genetic diagnosis. Moving these results back into the clinic enables personalised care and precise treatments. Dr James Ashton is a Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist at Southampton Children’s Hospital. He is also an NIHR Advanced Fellow at the University of Southampton. Dr Ashton said: “It is fantastic to have this service to support patients with IBD. This wouldn’t have been possible without research like the Genetics of IBD study, which continues to shape how we diagnose and treat the disease.”

Professor Philip Calder has been honoured with the Alexander Leaf Distinguished Scientist Lifetime Achievement Award. The prize is awarded by the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field. Prof Calder is part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre’s Nutrition, Lifestyle and Metabolism theme, where he leads research in older people. Studying fatty acids Prof Calder’s work focuses on understanding the metabolism and functionality of fatty acids. This includes omega-3s, where he is seen as an international expert. His research also looks  at the influence of diet and nutrients on immune and inflammatory responses. The award is ISSFAL’s highest honour. It is awarded every two years to a scientist who has made a significant and sustained contribution to the science of lipids and health. A prestigious award Prof Calder is Professor of Nutritional Immunology at the University of Southampton. He will receive his award at the ISSFAL Congress in Quebec City later this year. "It is an honour to receive this prestigious award,” Prof Calder said. “It recognises the work of many people from my research group over the years, who I want to thank for their contributions. I am looking forward to delivering my Award Lecture this summer." ISSFAL was established in 1991 to improve understanding of the health impact of dietary lipids. The society now has more than 300 members from over 30 countries worldwide.

New research suggests that men who eat a diet rich in olive oil, omega-3 and vitamin D could influence their future children’s genes, with lasting health benefits. A mother's diet around the time of conception can permanently influence her baby's DNA. New evidence suggests that a father’s pre-pregnancy diet may also have a lasting effect. However, how this works has previously been unclear. This study found that a six-week dietary intervention can affect the number of small non-coding RNAs in sperm. These molecules help regulate the activity of genes and could impact long-term health outcomes. Researchers from the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) were part of the study team. They worked with researchers from Singapore. Their findings have been published in Scientific Reports . Nutritional intervention The researchers analysed data from 17 men involved in an IVF research study with their partners. They were all enrolled in the   PREconception dietary suPplements in Assisted REproduction (PREPARE) study. Half the group used an olive oil-based spread and olive oil for cooking for six weeks. They also drank a fruit-based drink each day that had been enriched with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. The other half used a sunflower oil-based spread and sunflower oil for cooking, and consumed an ordinary fruit drink each day. Sperm samples were taken before and after the six-week intervention. The nutritional intervention with olive oil, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids was found to alter the levels of particular small non-coding RNAs in sperm. Notably, it affected those that influence the activity of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism. Previous studies in mice have shown that similar small non-coding RNA alterations in sperm can result from dietary changes. Evidence suggests these alterations pass a lifelong predisposition to obesity to the offspring. Dr Mark Burton, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, co-led the research. He is currently supported by a Postdoctoral Bridging Fellowship from the NIHR Southampton BRC. Dr Burton said: “The findings provide important new evidence that sperm can carry memories of a father's diet and lifestyle. “It is increasingly recognised that the so-called ‘epigenetic’ changes in the sperm can have a lasting influence on the health of the offspring. They contribute to risks such as obesity, metabolic disorders and mental health conditions.” Improving life chances Southampton researchers pioneered the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) concept. It emphasises the relationship between early life experiences and adult health. Our research has shown that the preconception period is a critical time to improve the life chances of the next generation. Professor Keith Godfrey, a Theme Lead at the NIHR Southampton BRC, was part of the study team. Prof Godfrey said: “Our NIHR supported research has shown that care and support before and between pregnancies plays an important role in health disparities. This new research demonstrates the importance of promoting good nutrition for both men and women in preparation for pregnancy and parenthood.”

Southampton researchers are investigating a new way to help children and young people with asthma. Asthma affects over 330 million people worldwide and is the most common long-term condition in children in the UK. It can have a significant impact on quality of life. Researchers in our NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) are working with young patients to help them manage the condition. Dr Anna Rattu is a Research Fellow at the University of Southampton. She explains what she hopes to achieve through a one-year BRC Postdoctoral Bridging Fellowship.   How did you become interested in research? I became interested in research during my undergraduate degree in life sciences. I was given the opportunity to design and deliver my own project on a rare respiratory condition. Following this, I joined Prof Graham Roberts’ group for my PhD. It focused on the management of severe asthma. My research involved developing a quality of life outcome measurement tool and identifying predictors of treatment response. We sought input from key stakeholders, including patients and healthcare professionals across the UK and Europe. My current research is about optimising asthma management in children and young people. The overarching goal is to improve quality of life for this patient group. What is the healthcare challenge that you are seeking to address? My research focuses on asthma, the most common childhood condition. It affects one in 14 children in the UK and costs the NHS over one billion pounds annually. Despite advances in treatment, many young people still experience persistent symptoms. They may also have life-threatening asthma attacks that require hospital admission. Children and young people often struggle to manage their asthma. They face challenges such as changing peer relationships, avoiding triggers like smoking and fitting medication into daily life. I am investigating whether a novel self-management intervention can improve quality of life for children and young people with asthma. This is a key goal in asthma care across the NHS. If the intervention proves to be effective, I will conduct a larger trial to show that the approach can be integrated into routine care. What do you hope to achieve in your research at the BRC? As part of my fellowship, I am testing an intervention to improve management of asthma in children and young people. I plan to subsequently test this intervention in real-world settings. The aim is to inform clinical guidelines and ultimately improve paediatric asthma care. In the long term, I aspire to become an independent researcher and lead a research programme focused on improving the management of respiratory conditions. The BRC fellowship is a key step in this journey. It provides the time and resources I need to generate evidence and develop skills for future funding applications. How would you sum up your fellowship in three words? Challenge, growth, reward What's it like being an early career researcher in Southampton? Southampton has been my academic home for nearly 10 years, from my undergraduate studies to my current role as a postdoctoral researcher. It has been a great experience. As an early career researcher, I've had invaluable guidance from my research supervisors and mentors. This has been particularly helpful in preparing for external fellowship applications. The university has provided lots of support for navigating the post-doctoral space. For example, I’ve been able to access courses on grant writing and career development. I’ve also had plenty of opportunities to present my work within the faculty and the broader research community. This has been key in establishing myself in the field and expanding my network. I’m enjoying collaborating with healthcare professionals and patients at UHS, as well as national and international colleagues, to design and conduct my research projects. What advice would you give other early career researchers? Say ‘yes’ to opportunities that seem interesting, whether that’s teaching or public engagement. These experiences enrich your research - but can also lead to unexpected collaborations and new opportunities. Navigating a research career can be challenging. But having a solution-oriented mindset and pushing through difficulties will help you grow in the long-run. Lastly, don’t forget to ask for help and guidance from your network and mentors. Even if they haven’t faced your exact challenge, they can offer some much-needed reassurance and point you in the right direction.

People living in Hampshire’s most deprived areas may be   less likely to survive a cardiac arrest, according to new research. The study was led by the University of Southampton. It analysed ambulance data from more than 4,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) in the region. The results showed that people living in deprived communities were less likely to survive for 30 days after an OHCA. They have been published in a special edition of Resuscitation Plus , focusing on inequality in cardiac arrest. Researchers say the findings highlight an important issue. This could have implications for public health policy. The research was carried out in collaboration with University Hospital Southampton (UHS), South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS), Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Health inequalities The ambulance service in England attends more than 84,000 OHCAs a year. Survival rates are low, with only around one in ten people surviving and leaving hospital. CPR and defibrillation can significantly improve the chance of survival. Health inequality is an important issue across healthcare. There is growing international evidence of such inequalities in resuscitation following OHCA. Previous research has shown that OHCAs occur most frequently in high density areas. They disproportionately affect people from non-white backgrounds, technical workers and those with lower levels of education. Studies have also found that bystander CPR is less common in deprived communities, which may further reduce survival rates. Dr James Plumb, Head of Research at HIOWAA and a Consultant Anaesthetist at UHS, co-led the research. He is also part of the NIHR Southampton BRC. Dr Plumb said: “Across all areas of healthcare, we see differences in how patients do based on their background. “We fairly consistently see that our most deprived communities experience worse health outcomes. This hasn’t been studied as widely in OHCA as some other areas of medicine. “We wanted to understand how deprivation affects survival in after OHCA in Hampshire, with the hope that we could then move towards programmes to help reverse any inequality.” Do inequalities affect survival? The researchers examined 30-day survival rates after OHCA between 2019 and 2023. They used ambulance service data. This was linked with national measurements of deprivation based on patients’ home postcodes. Patients were excluded from the analysis if their cardiac arrest was caused by trauma. Of the 4,184 patients included in the study, 437 (10%) survived for at least 30 days. The research team adjusted for factors such as age, sex, the initial heart rhythm and ambulance response times. Their analysis revealed a significant association between neighbourhood deprivation and survival. Dr Sandy (Alexander) Jackson drove the statistical analysis. He is a NIHR Doctoral Fellow at the University of Southampton and part of the NIHR Southampton BRC. “Once we accounted for other factors that might affect survival it became clear that deprivation does appear to be related to reduced survival,” Dr Jackson explained. “This is similar to findings in Scotland, and we suspect it may be true across other parts of the UK. “We hope this work will prompt more widespread study of the issue, including how we might improve outcomes for our most deprived communities.” Role of age Survivors were, on average, significantly younger than those who died. Those who survived had an average age of 62, while the average age of those who died was 71. The data also showed that OHCA patients in deprived areas tended to be younger than those in less deprived areas. Researchers suggest that while younger age is linked to better survival outcomes, it may mask overall health status. Peter Owen, a Specialist Paramedic at HIOWAA, co-authored the research. He added: “Before we accounted for other factors, we didn’t see a big difference in survival between different levels of deprivation. But once we took age into account it became clear that the outcomes, for similarly aged patients, were worse in deprived populations. It’s hard to be certain about what is driving this. “It’s possible that these patients have more health problems than similarly aged patients from less deprived areas, and that is supported by research from other areas of healthcare.”

Dr Sophie Fletcher has been awarded a prestigious National Clinical Impact Award. The honour recognises her dedicated work to improve understanding and treatment of fibrotic lung disease. Dr Fletcher is a Consultant Respiratory Physician at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). She is Honorary Associate Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Southampton. Her research is part of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre’s respiratory and allergy theme. She has thanked the UHS Research Leaders Programme (RLP) for giving her the skills she needed to achieve this award. Highly competitive The National Clinical Impact Award (NCIA) scheme is run by the Advisory Committee on Clinical Impact Awards (ACCIA) for the Department of Health and Social Care in England. The scheme recognises consultants, dentists or academic GPs who have delivered national impact above the expectations of their job role or other paid work over the previous five years. The selection process is very competitive. It specifically recognises the dissemination and implementation of that work and its impact on the wider NHS and public health. Treatment options Fibrotic lung diseases are a group of rare diseases. Patients with these conditions experience shortness of breath that gets worse over time, to the point that they may need oxygen. The most common of these conditions is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). People diagnosed with this condition only have a life expectancy of 3-5 years from diagnosis. “If we’re not part of research for these patients, they have limited options,” Dr Fletcher explains. “That’s been the principal reason why I’ve been doing research all these years – to provide patients with an option who otherwise wouldn’t have one.” National recognition The ACCIA have said the award is a public acknowledgement of Dr Fletcher’s sustained commitment and dedication to the NHS. The award recognises the national impact of her efforts, over and above her contractual requirements. These include her academic research and leadership. Dr Fletcher is part of the RLP programme. This supports healthcare professionals employed by UHS to take the next step in their research career and develop their leadership skills. It covers salary costs for at least one day a week (20% whole time equivalent) for up to three years. It provides the protected time they need to take their research to the next level. The awards are open to all healthcare professionals substantively employed by UHS. It is managed by the Southampton Academy of Research (SoAR). “I would like to thank the UHS Research Leaders Programme for facilitating this achievement,” she said. “The award was judged on contributions to leadership, research, clinical delivery, and education, and the RLP allowed time for these activities to flourish.”

A rapid test to help treat bacterial infections is taking a major step following a funding boost. The iFAST test can help patients get the right antibiotic faster. This reduces unnecessary antibiotic use, helping to combat the rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It was first developed by Prof Hywel Morgan at our NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, with colleague Dr Daniel Spencer. The technology is being taken forward by University of Southampton (UoS) spin-out company iFAST Diagnostics. Now, using £5m funding, they intend to bring the first product to the UK market in 2025. A global problem AMR is one of the greatest threats to public health worldwide. It is estimated to cause over a million deaths and contribute to around five million deaths every year. It happens when bacteria change so that an antibiotic can no longer kill them. This leads to hard-to-treat infections that cannot be treated with standard antibiotics. While AMR occurs naturally, it is accelerated by activities such as the unnecessary use of antibiotics. Getting results faster Currently, doctors need to send a sample to a laboratory to find out if an antibiotic can be used to treat a bacterial infection. This takes two to three days. During this time, patients may be prescribed an antibiotic that doesn’t work. Alternatively, they might be given a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can have unwanted side effects. The iFAST test gives results much faster – in under three hours for blood, and four hours for urine. A sample of bacteria are briefly grown in the presence of different antibiotics. This is then loaded onto a microfluidic chip, which measures the electrical properties of thousands of individual bacteria. The test can show if bacteria have been damaged by an antibiotic. This would allow doctors to make an informed decision around which antibiotic to prescribe, potentially saving patients’ lives. Bringing the technology to market Toby King, the CEO of iFAST Diagnostics, said: “We are incredibly excited to receive the investment we need to bring our technology to market, just a couple of years after founding the company. “The thought of saving patients’ lives through them having the correct antibiotic at the right time is hugely motivating for the whole team. I’d like to thank all our existing investors for continuing to support us, and KHP in particular for leading the round, as well as EInk, RAW, and OKG for having the conviction to come on board at this pivotal time for our business.” Prof Hywel Morgan, Professor of Bioelectronics at UoS, said: “It is wonderful to see iFAST reach this stage, after my team spent over a decade researching how to develop it from an idea to a product. “We are delighted to see the company now taking this key step towards iFAST becoming widely available in the UK. This could greatly improve patient outcomes and slow antimicrobial resistance.”

A study has shed new light on the movement of bacteria during pregnancy. Pregnant women given nose drops containing harmless bacteria did not pass it on to their babies. This suggests the bacteria babies receive are selectively filtered. The findings suggest infants are not passive recipients of their mothers’ bacteria, and will prompt new research into how babies can be protected from infections. The research was jointly led by Professor Robert Read and Dr Chrissie Jones at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Dr Anastasia Theodosiou was the lead investigator and author on the paper, published in the Lancet Microbe . Bacterial starter set The complete set of bacteria that a baby naturally has living in their nose, throat and airways is known as their ‘respiratory microbiome’. The microbiome helps train the baby’s immune system, and microbiome disruption may be linked to later health problems, like infections and allergies. While the microbiome mainly comes from the baby’s mother, it is unclear exactly how this happens. This study investigated whether babies whose mothers were given the harmless bacteria Neisseria lactamica during pregnancy acquired it from their mothers after birth.   Neisseria lactamica is naturally found in young children’s throats, but it is rarely found in babies. People carrying Neisseria lactamica  are less likely to carry or get ill from Neisseria meningitidis , the bacteria that causes meningitis . The researchers wanted to know if giving pregnant women Neisseria lactamica could help babies acquire this protective bacteria from birth. Unexpected results A total of 21 pregnant women were infected with the Neisseria lactamica under controlled conditions at the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility. This had previously been shown to be safe in research with   non-pregnant adults.   Of these 21 women, 15 were subsequently found to have the bacteria living in their throats. However, none of their babies acquired Neisseria lactamica  by four months after birth . This suggests it   wasn’t passed on. Another type of bacteria called Moraxella catarrhalis , which is commonly found in babies and adults,   was transferred to six of the babies from their mothers. This suggests there may be a selective process that shapes newborn babies’ respiratory microbiome. Dr Theodosiou, now a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, said: “We often think of a baby as being a passive recipient of its mother’s microbiome. This result is so exciting, as it suggests the baby may play a more active role. Our findings will help us design trials to encourage protective bacteria in babies.” The research was funded by the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Pregnant women in research For many years, pregnant women have been excluded from research trials due to safety concerns. However, this has been changing in recent years, to make research more inclusive and to improve healthcare for pregnant women and their babies. The researchers also did a questionnaire-based study, exploring the perspectives of participants in the trial. This has been published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal . As the first ever controlled infection study in pregnant women, this trial is important, as it shows that this type of research can be both safe and acceptable. These findings pave the way for future studies that could help protect infants from infections.

Professor Mike Grocott has been announced as the next president of the PeriOperative Quality Initiative (POQI). His election follows five years on the POQI board serving as a vice-president. The organisation brings multidisciplinary, international groups of experts together to review evidence and offer recommendations for patient care. Prof Grocott is the Director of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). He is an international leader in perioperative medicine. This is the medical care of patients from contemplation of surgery until full recovery. Leading research People undergo an average of four to five operations during their lifetimes. More than five million surgical procedures are performed in the UK each year. These account for a third of hospital admissions and 18% of deaths. Prof Grocott has driven research within Southampton for over a decade. This has had a particular focus on experimental medicine. The research is helping reduce death and minimise harm. This is being achieved through individualised care and shared decision making. The programme has grown into the Perioperative and Critical Care theme  within the NIHR Southampton BRC. Prof Grocott is a Professor of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Southampton. He is also a Consultant in Critical Care Medicine at University Hospital Southampton. He said: “I am delighted to take on the leadership of POQI at this exciting time. “POQI has developed into a respected and authoritative source of clinical guidance and policy consensus in perioperative care. “I look forward to working with the multidisciplinary, international POQI community to build on this success in the coming years.” Improving patient care The POQI is an international non-profit organisation. The organisation has organised more than 20 consensus conferences since its launch in 2016. It has published 29 consensus papers in a variety of journals. These include Nature Reviews Nephrology, British Journal of Anaesthesia, British Journal of Surgery, Anesthesia and Analgesia and Perioperative Medicine. At POQI consensus conferences, work groups meet over two to three days to review the literature, identify important questions and formulate consensus statements and recommendations and highlight research questions. Find out more about the PeriOperative Quality Initiative  here.

David Mather and his wife, Iwona The first patients have been recruited to the world’s largest trial using radiotherapy to treat advanced lung cancer.   David Mather is an 81-year-old retired company director from Hale in Greater Manchester. He has joined TOURIST. It is the first clinical trial in 20 years to look at how r adiotherapy could benefit late-stage metastatic lung cancer patients. This could change global clinical practice for treating advanced lung cancer. The study is funded by over £3.4 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It is being managed by the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SCTU). TOURIST is now opening at sites across the UK. It will soon start recruiting patients at University Hospital Southampton, where SCTU is a collaborator in the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre’s respiratory and allergy theme. Advanced lung cancer Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in the UK. It accounts for 21% of cancer deaths each year.   David, who is married to Iwona, was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in October 2024. The diagnosis came after visiting his GP because he was wheezing and felt very tired.   He was referred to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester. He began a course of immunotherapy, which is a type of drug that uses the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer.   As the disease was at an advanced stage and had spread to his bones, he was eligible for the TOURIST study. It is sponsored by The Christie and aims to recruit 1,000 patients.   David said: “I’ve been very healthy all my life, so I consider myself lucky to have got to my age without anything serious.   “When I was offered the opportunity to take part in the trial, I was very happy to do so. If having radiotherapy improves my prognosis and quality of life, and reduces the symptoms, then that will be fantastic.   “I also hope that by participating in this trial I play a part in helping others in the future.”   Reaching more cancer cells   The clinical trial uses a technique called ‘VMAT’ (volumetric modulated arc therapy). It is a form of radiotherapy that uses beams of varying strengths to treat cancer. A device called a linear accelerator (LINAC) delivers high-energy beams while rotating around the patient to treat the tumours. Giving the radiotherapy in this way has several advantages. It makes it very accurate, shortens the treatment time and uses a lower overall dose of radiation. It means more cancer cells can be killed while also sparing healthy tissue around the organ. In the past, this machine has only been used to treat patients with early-stage cancer that has not spread. Incurable disease   NSCLC accounts for 85-90% of all lung cancer cases worldwide. 70% of patients are diagnosed at stage 4 of the disease and there are 1.2m deaths globally each year.   Approximately half of NSCLC lung cancer patients (44%) in the UK present with incurable stage IV disease. This means treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and extending life, rather than curing.   Nicky Downs, Senior Trial Manager for the TOURIST trial at the SCTU, said:   “It’s fantastic to see the first patients being recruited into TOURIST.   “Clinical trials rely on people, like David, volunteering to be part of research. We are so grateful to him and everyone who signs up to the trial.   “Their participation will help us create the evidence which could lead to improved quality of life, and potentially better treatments, for more lung cancer patients in the future.”   Any patient with stage IV NSCLC who would be interested in taking part in the TOURIST trial should discuss it with their local oncologist.