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 shorter stays in hospital. The new guidelines, published by Macmillan Cancer Support, will help ensure people with cancer receive good quality prehabilitation. Researchers at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre worked with leading organisations to develop the guidelines. These include Macmillan Cancer Support, the Centre for Perioperative Care, NIHR Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration, and World Cancer Research Fund. Working together to improve care The new guidelines are called ‘Prehabilitation for people with cancer: clinical and implementation guidelines’ . They provide updated recommendations on how best to design, develop and deliver prehabilitation. They cover prehabilitation delivered both before and during cancer treatment. The guidelines are the result of a review of reports and evidence of good practice in this area. They will support healthcare providers, commissioners, researchers, and policy makers. This will help guide pathway redesign, business cases and improve service delivery. They cover exercise and nutrition, psychological support and prehabilitation implementation. They also include behaviour change and technology, health economics and business cases. Professor Mike Grocott, NIHR Southampton BRC Director and co-chair of the guidelines, said: “For the first time, these guidelines give us research-based recommendations to guide the care of people with cancer who are undergoing prehabilitation. “The guidelines offer clear advice on how to deliver prehabilitation: from bedside advice on screening, assessment and treatment, to practical input on implementation of a service and successful business cases.” Informed by research Our BRC researchers have led trials of prehabilitation for patients having cancer surgery. These trials demonstrated prehabilitation's safety, feasibility and effectiveness. They included WESFIT and SAFEFIT. They showed prehabilitation resulted in shorter hospital stays and economic benefits. This led University Hospital Southampton to set up the first NHS-funded clinical service. Prehab4cancer in Greater Manchester is another example of a service that was reviewed. Over one year, 550 ward and 146 critical care bed days were released. The savings from this covered the costs involved in setting up and delivering the service for a year. It also made it sustainable going forward. June Davis, Lead Nursing and Allied Health Professional Advisor at Macmillan Cancer Support and co-chair of these guidelines said: “Macmillan Cancer Support has been at the forefront of the development of prehabilitation services over the last seven years. We know from listening to people with cancer and clinicians what a difference good preparation for cancer treatment and surgery can make. We are delighted to be a lead partner in the development of these new guidelines. “We would now like to see cancer prehabilitation widely adopted across the healthcare system to benefit people with cancer, in preparation for and recovery from cancer treatment, to improve their experience of care and sense of control, whoever they are and wherever they live. “To make this a reality, we hope that everyone engaged with the design and provision of services will embed prehabilitation into cancer pathways, across community, primary and secondary care, to ensure all patients benefit from the positive impact of prehabilitation.”

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 all life stages for generally healthy people. The results have been published in Nutrition Research Reviews . 'Essential for health' Eating omega-3 supports a healthy lifestyle throughout all stages of life. Professor Philip Calder was part of the study. He is Professor of Nutritional Immunology at the University of Southampton. He is also part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre's Nutrition, Lifestyle and Metabolism theme. “The omega-3s EPA and DHA are essential for health throughout the life course,” he said. “But to benefit from these nutrients, people first need to understand how much they should be consuming. “In this review, we brought together all the recommendations for EPA and DHA intake in healthy populations from authorities around the world to help answer the important question: ‘how much do I need?’ “What is clear is that most people are not meeting these recommendations.” The review found the most common recommended intake for adults is 250mg per day of combined EPA and DHA. Pregnant women were advised to eat an extra 100–200mg of DHA. Prof Calder said these targets can be achieved by eating more oily fish, or through supplementation where needed. Oily fish include salmon, sardines and mackerel. Identifying challenges The paper also identified challenges different populations face to achieving these omega-3 recommendations. These included not eating enough fish and concerns about sustainability. Some populations also had limited access to supplementation advice. Dr Abbie Cawood, Science Director at Holland & Barrett, was part of the study. She is also Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Southampton. “Omega-3s play such a vital role in health,” she said. “They ensure people can meet their needs, either through diet or with the support of supplementation, at every life stage. “In fact, our review highlights that supplementation is often required to meet recommended intakes, especially in pregnancy and in those with low fish intakes. “We are hopeful that this publication can act as an enabler to inform omega-3 dietary guidelines and shape future nutrition policy and public health strategies.”

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 stop people from carrying and spreading the bacteria.   The vaccine, called BPZE1, was tested in a trial delivered through the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility (CRF).   Whooping cough resurgence Last week, the UK Health Security Agency published its Annual Pertussis Report for 2024 . The data shows that 2024 was particularly bad for pertussis disease - another name for whooping cough. There were 14,879 cases, the highest number of confirmed cases seen in England since enhanced surveillance began in 1994.   The report explains that pertussis peaks every 3-5 years. COVID-19 social-distancing control measures led to very low disease levels from 2020 until 2023, when cases started to increase. This led to the 2024 resurgence. Tragically, 11 babies with pertussis died in 2024.   The new study is the first to show that a vaccine can stop the bacteria that cause whooping cough from living in the nose and throat. This is a key step in preventing the spread of infection. With further trials and regulatory approval, this vaccine could be given to adults or children.   The trial was sponsored by ILiAD Biotechnologies. It was delivered in partnership between University Hospital Southampton, the University of Southampton and the University of Oxford.   Whooping cough is a highly contagious infection that affects the lungs and airways. It can be especially dangerous for young babies, particularly before they can complete their first doses of vaccine.   How the study worked   The CHAMPION-1 study tested whether BPZE1 – a weakened version of the whooping cough bacteria – could safely protect people from infection. The vaccine was given as a single spray into the nose.   A total of 53 adult volunteers took part in the trial at the NIHR Southampton CRF and in Oxford. Two to four months after receiving either the vaccine or a placebo, participants were exposed to the bacteria in a carefully controlled setting. They then stayed in a quarantine facility for 16 nights, where researchers monitored their health and collected samples.   Before leaving, all participants were given antibiotics to clear any remaining bacteria. The results, now published in The Lancet Microbe , show that BPZE1 was safe and well tolerated, with no serious side effects. Most people who received the vaccine had little or no bacteria in their nose after being exposed. This means they could be less likely to pass the infection on to others.   The vaccine also triggered strong immune responses in both the nose and the blood. This could suggest it offers long-lasting protection.  Professor Robert Read and Dr Diane Gbesemete Professor Robert Read, who led the study at the NIHR Southampton BRC, said:   “This is the first time a whooping cough vaccine has been shown to prevent the bacteria from colonising the nose and throat in humans. That could represent a big step forward in stopping the spread of the disease.”   The trial was designed using a world-first whooping cough controlled human infection model. This was developed at the University of Southampton as part of the international PERISCOPE consortium.   Dr Diane Gbesemete, Principal Investigator at the NIHR Southampton BRC, said:   “Despite high vaccination rates, we’re still seeing outbreaks of whooping cough. This study shows that BPZE1 has the potential to offer better protection and help reduce transmission.”   Mission to ‘eradicate’ disease   ILiAD Biotechnologies, the company developing BPZE1, plans to begin Phase 3 trials next year. These larger studies will test the vaccine in more people and could lead to it being approved for wider use.   Dr Stephanie Noviello, Chief Medical Officer at ILiAD, said:   “These results represent a major milestone in the global public health effort to control whooping cough. For more than a decade, ILiAD has been committed to stopping B. pertussis where it lives – the human upper respiratory tract. We still have a lot of work to do, but this is far and away the best evidence to date that we can fulfil our mission to eradicate all disease due to the bacteria that causes whooping cough.   “My deep appreciation to everyone who contributed to this study, especially the study participants. Without them, the achievement of this important milestone would not be possible.”   Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton said:   "This government-supported trial marks a major breakthrough in our fight against whooping cough.   "Unlike the existing vaccine for pregnant women, which protects babies in the womb and prevents nine out of 10 infant deaths, this new nasal spray vaccine works in a completely different way – by stopping the bacteria from living in the nose and throat. That means it could cut transmission and offer longer-lasting protection for everyone, not just newborns.    "It’s a powerful showcase of the UK’s world-class research sector driving innovation to protect future generations."   The UK has offered a pertussis vaccine to pregnant women since 2012, the previous big outbreak. This means they can transfer immunity to their baby in the womb and help protect them in their first weeks of life.   Since the introduction of this vaccine, most of the infant deaths with pertussis have been in babies born to mothers who were not vaccinated in pregnancy. The effectiveness of the prenatal vaccine has been consistently high. The latest estimate shows it provides 91% protection against infant death.

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 scared and confused. Groundbreaking research will investigate whether giving intravenous (IV) vitamin B1, also called thiamine, to patients at very high risk of delirium reduces the chance of the condition occurring when they are severely unwell. The nationwide trial has been awarded £2.7 million by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The study is one of the first of its kind to be led by a UK pharmacist. It is a collaboration between University Hospital Southampton, the University of Southampton, the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and the Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre (ICNARC). Understanding the cause While the symptoms of delirium are usually temporary, the condition is life-changing, with long-term consequences. There are currently no effective drug treatments for delirium. Patients with delirium spend longer in ICU and hospital. It causes long-term memory problems and increases chances of dying in or after ICU. In older patients, delirium can mean they never return to their own home and lead an independent life. Previously, researchers have suggested delirium is due to brain cells being unable to use energy properly. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is essential for cells to break down sugar, so it could help prevent and treat delirium. The new study is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of vitamin B1 versus placebo. The researchers will see if thiamine does reduce delirium, and whether it works by improving the way brain cells use sugar. Checking for signs of delirium Treating delirium is one of the highest research priorities for patients, their families and ICU healthcare professionals. The trial is called DELTA-ICU, which stands for DELirium and ThiAmine in the Intensive Care Unit. It is funded by the NIHR’s Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme. A total of 520 patients will take part at 20 NHS ICUs across the UK. They will be adult patients at very high risk of developing delirium. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either vitamin B1 or placebo. For the first five days, they will be given 300mg of vitamin B1 or placebo into a vein twice a day. This will then be reduced to once a day for up to nine more days or until they leave the ICU. The research team will monitor participants for symptoms of delirium twice a day, using a measure called the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU. They will also record other information, such as how many days the patient is deeply sedated for and whether they survive at 14 days.  Researchers will also collect how long patients spend in ICU and whether they are discharged home after ICU. They will also collect data on long-term brain function and quality of life. This will enable them to compare outcomes between patients in the two groups, to see if those receiving the vitamin B1 show fewer signs of delirium. Southampton leading the way The study will be led by Professor Cathrine McKenzie, Professor of Intensive Care Pharmacy at the University of Southampton. Professor McKenzie is the holder of the first full professorial role for a pharmacist in UK intensive care and one of the first pharmacists to lead this type of RCT. Professor McKenzie is an Honorary Consultant Pharmacist in Critical Care at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) and part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Her journey has been supported by the UHS Research Leaders Programme and an NIHR Senior Clinical Practitioner Award. Professor McKenzie said: “This research gives us the chance to assess a novel therapy for delirium, one of the worst syndromes of being severely unwell. As a pharmacist, it is an honour to lead this trial in partnership with ICNARC.” UHS is home to one of the largest pharmacy departments in the country. The department has strategically grown its research capacity and capabilities in recent years to continue improving patient services and impact. James Allen, Chief Pharmacist at UHS, said: “This trial marks a pivotal moment for our pharmacy department and serves as a testament to Professor McKenzie’s dedication and vision. Her leadership demonstrates the vital role pharmacists can play in advancing critical care research. “This multi-centre study also reflects the strength of collaboration between the University of Southampton and UHS Pharmacy, driving significant progress in research capacity and leadership within both our departments.” The study is being run with the Clinical Trials Unit at ICNARC. ICNARC is an independent non-for-profit scientific organisation that conducts clinical audit and research in intensive care.

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 The project is being led by Dr Franklin Nobrega, Associate Professor in Microbiology at the University of Southampton. He is part of the Metabolism, Infection and Immunity theme at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. The phages in the collection have been shown to be effective against different strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae . This is a type of bacteria that has become a serious threat in hospitals. This is due to its growing resistance to many antibiotics. Klebsiella can cause serious infections. These include pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections. Hospital patients or people with weakened immune systems are most at risk. Health officials are particularly concerned. Some strains are developing resistance to multiple antibiotics. This includes antibiotics used as a last resort, when others have failed. Open to scientists everywhere Phages that target Klebsiella  are increasingly being documented in research. However, their clinical use has been slowed by fragmented access to data on phages and which bacteria they target. To speed up research and treatment development, the researchers have made the new collection open source. It is publicly available at www.klebphacol.org . The collection has also recently been detailed in a paper published in Nucleic Acids Research . Dr Franklin Nobrega is leading the project. His work is supported by Bowel Research UK. “Making the Klebsiella Phage Collection open access is crucial,” he said. “It means scientists everywhere can both use and build on it. “Researchers can request samples of phages and bacterial strains for their own studies, compare results across labs, and even contribute new phages and strains to the collection. “By sharing these resources openly, we’re breaking down barriers that have slowed progress and creating a truly collaborative global effort to tackle antibiotic resistance.” New phage family discovered Different phages work a bit like different keys. Each one can only “unlock” (infect) certain strains of the bacteria. The Klebsiella Phage Collection fully characterises 52 different phages, alongside 74 strains of Klebsiella . These phages come from five viral families. This includes a newly discovered group linked to the human gut. Previous studies have suggested some strains of Klebsiella are associated with gut inflammation. They may potentially worsen inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). “Some of these newly identified phages can be found in people’s guts across the world, in everyone from pre-term babies to older adults,” commented Dr Nobrega. “They were found in healthy guts, so we know they are important for good gut health. “The presence or absence of certain phages can predict how severe diseases like bowel cancer and IBD are going to be. So our discovery, along with our new library of phages, paves the way for more research to understand more about these diseases and ultimately improve treatments.” The research is being funded by Bowel Research UK. Kathryn Pretzel-Shiels, their CEO, said: “Research like this is crucial in understanding the best way to harness the power of the microbiome to prevent and treat bowel conditions. “We're enabling more research to help scientists fully understand the role our gut microbiome plays in maintaining a healthy gut and protecting us from bowel disease.” The hope is that this phage library will support new treatments. It will also improve understanding of how phages and bacteria interact. This knowledge could prove vital in the fight against 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 University of Southampton and an honorary consultant physician at University Hospital Southampton. He is also part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Improving health and care research The NIHR Research Professorships support the nation’s top researchers. The awards are among the UK's most prestigious career development awards. They enable research that improves patient and service user outcomes. This also enhances efficiencies in the health and social care system and supports economic growth. Since 2011, 79 research leaders have been successful in gaining this competitive award. Many have gone on to become senior research leaders. Tackling infections and antibiotic resistance Professor Clark spends half of his time treating patients in Southampton and the other half doing research. His research is developing and using new and innovative rapid diagnostic tests for infection to improve patient care in the NHS. Professor Clark has conducted multiple clinical trials evaluating rapid test for COVID-19, influenza, and several other infections. He and his team have set up several point-of-care testing services for infection at UHS. During the Covid-19 pandemic he also advised the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on Covid-19 testing. Professor Clark said: "I am delighted and humbled to have been awarded this highly prestigious Professorship by the NIHR. "Infection is a major cause of hospitalisation and death, and antimicrobial resistance threatens to reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics. "I will use the support that this Professorship provides to undertake high quality, clinically-relevant assessments of rapid diagnostic tests for infection, including novel host response-based tests. These tests may help us use antibiotics more appropriately and improve the care and outcome of patients with infection across the NHS." New NIHR Research Professors The new NIHR Research Professors will address pressing health challenges across a range of areas. These includes children’s intensive care, health inequalities and antibiotic resistance. Left to right: Professor Lindsay Bearne, Professor Tristan Clark, Professor Joht Singh Chandan, Professor Padmanabhan Ramnarayan, Professor Athanasios Saratzis, and Professor Maxine Tran The other five newly appointed NIHR Research Professors are: Professor Lindsay Bearne at City St George’s, University of London Professor Joht Singh Chandan at the University of Birmingham Professor Padmanabhan Ramnarayan at Imperial College London Professor Athanasios Saratzis at the University of Leicester Professor Maxine Tran at University College London Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at DHSC and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR, said: “I am delighted to welcome this new cohort of NIHR Research Professors. As well as recognising individual excellence, these awards are a strategic investment in our research leadership across health, social care and public health. "I look forward to seeing the positive impact of these awardees’ research and leadership across major health and care challenges.” Read more about the latest Research Professorship awardees and their research. Applications are now open for Cohort 16 of the NIHR Research Professorships.  They are due to close on 10 December.

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 advice opened new doors as he starts his fledgling career.   How did you become interested in research? I’ve always been the kind of person who enjoys digging deeper - whether it’s understanding how things work or uncovering the stories behind them. My research journey really started during my master’s degree at the University of Southampton. For my summer project, I worked with the supervisor who’s now guiding my PhD, and that’s when I was first introduced to the project I’m working on now. This is building digital health systems in Ghana to support emergency care. That experience opened my eyes to how research can create real social impact and do meaningful good for communities that need it most but are often underserved.   What is the healthcare challenge that you are seeking to address? The challenge we’re addressing is Ghana’s severe shortage of safe blood for emergencies. This is having serious consequences for maternal health and road-traffic injuries. Current blood stocks are far below international recommendations, and maternal mortality rates remain alarmingly high. Although voluntary, unpaid donation is the safest model. It makes up around 30% of Ghana’s supply. Most donations still come from family replacement or commercial sources. In an emergency, it often falls to patients or their families to make phone calls to track down donors. This is slow, chaotic, and can delay critical care. At the same time, Ghana has relatively high mobile penetration, with over 80% of the population using mobile data. Yet this digital reach is largely untapped for blood donation. Our project aims to modernise the system by creating a digital health platform that links hospitals to a reliable network of volunteer donors in real time.   What do you hope to achieve in your research at the BRC? At the BRC, my hope is that our proposed digital solution will gain recognition and demonstrate its practical value. I’d like to carry out some early pilots in Ghana to test its feasibility, and, through this, build partnerships with local institutions and health authorities. The ultimate aim is to see our work applied in practice - helping to reduce delays in emergency care and improving outcomes for patients. Beyond the immediate impact in Ghana, I also see this as an opportunity to strengthen the BRC’s international presence. By showing how research from Southampton can be translated into real-world solutions in low-resource settings, we not only address urgent healthcare needs but also expand the BRC’s influence and reputation as a centre for impactful global health research.   How would you sum up your research in three words? Digital, Connectivity, Impact   What’s it like to be an early career researcher in Southampton? Being an early career researcher in Southampton has been a really positive experience. There’s a strong support system in place. I feel very fortunate to have supervisors who are not only highly knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive. The environment is full of opportunities, whether that’s access to cutting-edge research facilities, exposure to the latest ideas, or the chance to collaborate across disciplines. What I particularly value is that you’re encouraged to grow, to take initiative, and to connect your work with wider impact. It’s a place where you don’t just do research in isolation - you’re part of a vibrant community that genuinely invests in developing the next generation of researchers.   What advice would you give to other early career researchers? I’d say my main advice is that research isn’t just about sitting at a desk and working on your own. It’s really about connecting with people - networking, sharing ideas, and putting your work out there so that it can reach those who might benefit from it. To be honest, I’m naturally quite introverted, and for a long time I tended to stay in my comfort zone and avoid too much interaction. But my supervisors have always encouraged me to step out, to network, and to engage more actively. That’s opened doors to new opportunities and helped me build valuable friendships along the way. So, even if it feels uncomfortable at first, making those connections is one of the most rewarding parts of being an early career researcher. You can get in touch with Honghui via honghui.shen@soton.ac.uk if you would like to learn more about him or his research.

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 supported by the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (CTU). It is sponsored by University Hospital Southampton. Biomarker analysis In the study, patients admitted to hospital with different respiratory infections have blood and swab samples taken. These are analysed for certain biomarkers that indicate immune and inflammatory responses in the body. Patients are also assessed by medical teams and asked to fill in questionnaires. These monitor their symptoms and any progression of the infection. The hope is that by combining all this information, researchers will gain a better understanding of which viruses are affecting the population. They may then be able to identify those patients who may become more seriously ill. They could also better predict their recovery and length of stay in hospital. Aiming for ‘real-world impact’ Pedro Rodrigues, Senior Trial Manager at the Southampton CTU and study co-investigator, said: “Every winter, respiratory viruses like flu and RSV stretch NHS resources to their limit. The UNIVERSAL study is tackling this by collecting real-time data and working closely with frontline clinicians. This is crucial to help us better understand how these viruses impact patients and healthcare services. “Our goal is to make real-world impact, move from sickness to prevention and from hospital care to community-based care, protecting patients and strengthening our NHS when it’s needed most.” Overall, the study is aiming to recruit 1,000 patients who test positive for a viral respiratory infection at up to 20 hospital sites around the UK. The team hope that recruitment will be completed by early 2026.

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 protection to speed up vaccine discovery. Working together The solutions needed to overcome infection and antimicrobial challenges are complex. They require collaborative and coordinated experimental infrastructure. Professor Read, theme lead at the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), said: “This new collaboration will help researchers work together more easily, share ideas and get funding for new studies. It is important that we work together to make sure the UK stays ahead in fighting infections and Southampton has a key part to play in this journey.” The new TRC is hosted by Imperial College London. It joins six other TRCs already working on big health challenges. Professor Marian Knight, NIHR Scientific Director for Infrastructure said: “Antimicrobial resistance is an area which needs urgent research across multi-professional teams working with the public and industry. The NIHR is uniquely positioned to bring together the right people and partnerships to tackle it. “This exciting new addition to our TRC network, in a crucial area of research, has the potential to drive the game-changing research we need.” What are TRCs? TRCs are collaborative groups of experts formed via NIHR BRCs. The new TRC will create an inclusive network of partners across industry, public bodies, charities, funders, and SMEs. Engagement will be driven through regular calls, roundtables, and symposiums. Current collaborators and funders include Moderna, UKHSA, MHRA, the Wellcome Trust and UKRI. There are plans to engage more SMEs and international partners.

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 spray flu vaccine, currently offered to children aged two and over, can be safely extended to younger toddlers. Researchers hope this could lead to wider protection against flu for children from as early as 12 months old. Protecting more children Flu is a common virus that affects the lungs. While many people recover quickly, it can be dangerous for young children. Every year, around two in every 1,000 children under five in England are hospitalised due to flu-related complications, including severe lung infections and pneumonia. In some cases, children may need intensive care. The NHS offers the nasal flu vaccine, called Fluenz, to children aged two and above. Younger toddlers currently only have access to flu protection via injection, and only if they are considered high risk. The FluSNIFF-toddler trial will involve around 3,000 children aged between 12 and 23 months. Each child will receive the nasal flu vaccine at one of two appointments. The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Professor Faust, Director of the NIHR Southampton Cl, said: “Children under two years are the group who would likely benefit most from receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine, as they are the highest risk of developing severe disease. “The nasal spray vaccine is already proven to be safe and effective in older children, and we’re now looking at whether it can be safely offered to younger toddlers. If successful, this trial could lead to the vaccine being available to all children aged 12 months and over in the next few years.” Needle-free spray The Fluenz vaccine is given as a quick spray into each nostril. It contains a weakened version of the flu virus that only works in the nose and cannot cause serious illness. Because it’s needle-free, it’s easier for children to tolerate and is often given in nurseries and schools. The vaccine has already been shown to be effective in children aged 12 to 23 months in previous international trials. However, more research is needed to confirm the vaccine is safe to offer to all children in this age group. Dr Munro is an Academic Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases at University Hospital Southampton. He said: “Children aged one are at the highest risk of being hospitalised with flu, yet they’re not currently offered the nasal vaccine. "This trial is a vital step in making flu protection easier and more accessible for this vulnerable age group. Vaccination not only protects the child but also helps reduce the spread of flu to others.” Taking part Ros Gough and her son Eddie are taking part in the trial at Banbury Cross Health Centre. She said: “I’ve had my flu jab for this year, and when I got a text about this trial it seemed a great way to protect him and the rest of our family. “I know that it’s the oldest and the youngest that are most vulnerable to flu, so extending greater protection to those groups would be a great thing. Hopefully in the near future all one-year-olds could be guarded against flu like Eddie this winter.” By taking part, children will receive the nasal flu vaccine ahead of the winter season, giving them protection they wouldn’t normally have. Participation is entirely voluntary, and families can withdraw at any time. For children taking part at their GP surgery, there are no blood tests involved. The study is designed to be as simple and stress-free as possible. Families attend two short appointments at their local GP surgery, with a final follow-up via an online questionnaire. All children in the study will receive the vaccine, either at the first or second visit. Parents will also be asked to complete brief electronic diaries to report any symptoms. If your GP practice is participating in the study and your child is 12 to 23 months old, your GP will contact you with more information and an invitation to take part.

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 Bristol and Milton Keynes NHS Trusts. Expanding pill Sirona is a hydrogel-based pill designed to aid weight loss by reducing hunger. After it is swallowed, the pill expands in your stomach, making you feel full faster. This helps you eat less without needing strong medications or injections. In the trial, funded by Innovate UK and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), participants lost up to 13.5% of their body weight in just six months. On average, people with class 1 obesity (BMI 30-35) lost 6.4% of their body weight. Participants also ate on average 400 fewer calories per day compared to those taking a placebo. For context, recent Government-led research suggests that even a 216-calorie daily reduction could cut the UK’s obesity rate in half. Results have been published in the journal Obesity . Drug-free treatment The trial was led by chief investigator Professor James Byrne within the NIHR Southampton BRC. Mr Byrne, a consultant surgeon at UHS, said: “Obesity is a chronic and often progressive disease. With obesity rates continuing to rise, these results are an important step towards providing a highly differentiated treatment option. “This trial demonstrated Sirona could be a safe, affordable, and non-pharmacological treatment to support long-term weight management.” Sirona has been designed to help two main groups of people. It could benefit those who are overweight (with a BMI between 25-30) and want to stop their weight from progressing into obesity. It could also support people who are coming off GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic or Mounjaro) and want to avoid regaining weight after stopping treatment. GLP-1 medications have become very popular for weight loss, with around 1.5 million users in the UK. However, a significant proportion of users pay out of pocket and prices have recently doubled for some doses. Sirona aims to be much cheaper, easier to tolerate, and available to more people. Aiming for 2027 Camilla Easter, CEO of Oxford Medical Products, said: “Sirona has demonstrated amazing results during testing with UK hospitals, which have now been externally peer-reviewed. Next, we are setting sights on commercial UK release plans, targeting 2027 to make Sirona available.” Sirona is a dual-polymer hydrogel pill. That means it’s made from two types of safe materials that expand in the stomach. It doesn’t use drugs or chemicals to change how your body works. The pill was well tolerated during the 24-week study. There were no serious adverse events. OMP is planning a pivotal study in the UK and USA to further assess the effectiveness of Sirona and confirm these results.

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 sarcopenia, a condition where people lose muscle strength, size and function as they age. This can lead to problems like: Feeling weak or tired Increased risk of falls Difficulty doing everyday tasks Higher chances of developing conditions like diabetes and obesity “Muscle is often forgotten when we talk about health,” says Dr Burton. “But it’s vital for everything — from getting out of bed to walking and staying active.” Learning through hands-on activities To help people learn more, Dr Burton runs outreach activities at events like the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival (SOTSEF). One popular activity initially developed by staff from the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre (MRC LEC) is the Grip Strength Challenge. You squeeze a device to measure your grip strength, then compare your score with others your age. This helps show how muscle strength changes over time - growing during your teens, peaking in your 20s, and slowly declining as you get older. “It’s a great way to start conversations,” says Dr Burton. “People see their results and begin thinking about how to stay strong.” Your lifestyle affects your genes Dr Burton also studies epigenetics — how your environment and lifestyle can affect how your genes work. Even identical twins can end up with very different health outcomes depending on how they live. “Muscle is something you can improve,” he says. “Even small changes now can have a big impact later in life.” To show this, Dr Burton and his team created a health maze. It’s a game where you guide a ball through different lifestyle choices. Healthy decisions lead to strength and resilience, while poor choices increase the risk of muscle problems. “An important factor of muscle is that it's something people can actively improve," he says. "What you do earlier in life as well as throughout the lifecourse can have a lasting impact. "It’s like saving money – small deposits over time add up. Eventually, you realise you can invest in something more meaningful. It teaches people that they can influence their future health risks and it is never too late to start this process.” Why public engagement matters Dr Burton’s work doesn’t just help the public - it also supports his research. Talking to people at events has helped him explain his science more clearly and secure funding for future studies. “It’s important that research benefits everyone,” he says. “These events help us learn from the public and share useful information.” Dr Burton's outreach activities have been collaborative efforts, supported by groups including the MyAge Research Network and the MRC LEC.