Dementia, Wellbeing, Exercise and Nutrition

Facilities

Aquatic Resource Centre - The Aquatic Resources Centre (ARC) provides a world-class teaching and research facility containing 14 aquaria rooms, analytical labs and a dedicated Wolfson Foundation-funded imaging unit.

Bioimaging unit - The Bioimaging Centre is a research facility within the School of Biosciences that provides state-of-the-art optical, laser and electron microscopes to enable advanced cellular imaging techniques across the breadth of biological research.

Exeter Clinical Trials Unit - Our clinical trials facilities evaluate current treatments, driving change and improvements in medicine. Our researchers belong to leading research units and institutes based across the University and NHS. Our Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) works in collaboration with researchers and clinicians in the design and delivery of high quality and efficient controlled trials and other well-designed studies, addressing important health questions.

Mass Spectrometry - Using well developed workflows the Liquid Chromatograhy Mass Spectrometry facility team can provide a high quality service to help you meet your analysis needs.

Mireille Gillings Neuroimaging Centre for Dementia Research (opening soon) - Funded by part of a £10 million donation from the Dennis and Mireille Gillings Foundation, the new Neuroimaging Centre will accelerate research and diagnosis of dementia and other neurological diseases.

Medical Imaging Suite - Our medical imaging facilities at St Luke's campus are used for both teaching and research, and include a purpose-built X-ray room, laboratory space and demonstration room.

Multiphoton Imaging and Spectroscopy Lab - Our multiphoton microscopy facilities can be used across all fields of biophysics for stain-free molecular imaging.

NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility (CRF) - The NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility (NIHR Exeter CRF) improves patient care by increasing understanding of the causes of disease and improving diagnosis and treatment. The facility supports and conducts clinical research studies has highly trained ‘research dedicated’ nurses, scientists, doctors and support staff, plus outstanding research facilities including bespoke wards and consulting rooms, sample handling laboratories and specialist equipment for investigating exercise, physiology and metabolism. The facility is run in partnership with the Royal Devon and Exeter Trust.

Sequencing Service - The DNA Sequencing Service has top class facilities enabling them to carry out fast, accurate and reliable work to your requirements.

Themes

Brain Sciences

Our expertise encompasses neurological disease and other mental health research across a wide spectrum, from basic biomedical science, through to development and delivery of interventions at the individual and population levels.

Our specific expertise includes:

• Understanding and creating effective interventions to treat depression through the Mood Disorders Centre
• Creating programmes to improve the lives of those living with dementia through the Centre for research in ageing and cognitive health
• Our research aims to understand how healthy brains age and why people develop dementia (PROTECT)
• Developing technologies which have the potential to transform the way in which dementia is diagnosed (DECODE)
• Using mathematical and computational methodologies for understanding the transition between health and diseased states in the human brain
• Investigating the therapeutic uses of cannabinoids with the Beckley Foundation, including potential of CBD for smoking cessation
• The psychology of skill acquisition.

Exercise, Nutrition & Human Health

Our academics specialise in a number of disciplines from active ageing, Climate and health, to metabolism and nutrition.

We focus on:

• Healthy ageing. Collaborating with companies such as Pukka Herbs to improve bone and muscle health
• Biomechanics - working with elite athletes to improve performance and recovery e.g Exeter Chiefs
• Paediatric and exercise physiology – Working with charities such as the British Heart Foundation to develop child centred exercise research through the Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre
• Metabolism and nutrition – working with companies on sustainable protein, dietary supplements and antioxidants.
• Understanding the links between human health and the environment through The European Centre for Environment and Human Health.

Infectious Diseases

Our expertise in Bioscience spans an incredible breadth of scientific areas; from evolutionary genetics to translational medicine and personalised healthcare.

• Our interdisciplinary approach unites experts from across the scientific spectrum to address the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
• Fungal Infections – The MRC Centre for Medical Mycology is the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of fungal diseases in the future
• BioSystems Technology: An ethical alternative for disease and drug testing.

Data Sciences

Data science in healthcare lies in methodology for the analysis, interpretation and organisation of complex data. The ARUK Deep Dementia Phenotyping (DEMON) Network, creating an infrastructure for Data Science in the UK to find new solutions to research in dementia.

• Improving health by investigating rich datasets in health services, millions of genome sequences, clinical trials, and NHS medical records.
• Using machine learning to create new optimised prescription guidance for GPs in primary care settings, by working with First Databank.
• Creating a real-time, user-friendly computer software tool to extract key features from EEG to aid diagnosis on prognosis of epilepsy.

Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risk and Ageing

Our research is globally recognised and our partnerships with healthcare providers, pharmaceutical industry and above all, the public, mean that this work is constantly at the cutting-edge of innovation in improving lives.

• Precision Medicine in type 1, type 2 and monogenic diabetes has improving diagnosis and treatment worldwide and supporting people to live healthier lifestyles.
• Working with internationally recognised clinical diagnostics companies, such as Randox, to develop a cutting edge genetic test that accurately diagnoses type 1 diabetes.
• Exploring the aetiopathogenic mechanisms of a diverse range of vascular disease, from stroke to diabetic cardiomyopathy.
• The creation of a simple, inexpensive test to measure C-Peptide, to help patients get the right diabetes diagnosis and treatment.
• Demonstrating new ways to rejuvenate old cells by targeting splicing factors which play a key role in cellular senescence (ageing).

Novel Technology Development

The physical Sciences have for decades played a crucial role in the development of new techniques for medicine & health and is becoming increasingly important in understanding the behaviour of biological systems.

• Advancing physical and chemical methods to gain insight into molecular structure, folding and dynamics.
• Pioneering optical technology to study processes at the nanoscale.
• Develops state-of-the-art microscopy methods to to address a variety of biophysical questions.
• Using novel microfluidic and imaging tools to understanding how single cells to perform specific functions.
• Using optical imaging and vibrational spectroscopy to understand disease processes ranging from diabetes to cancer, and to develop novel therapeutic approaches.

Contact

Hannah Williams - Impact and Partnership Development Manager, Health and Wellness

Email: h.williams7@exeter.ac.uk

Harshal Patil – Impact & Partnership Development Manager – Medical Technologies

Email: H.Patil@exeter.ac.uk

Zoe Maniou – Impact & Partnership Development Manager – Clinical Trials Development

Email: Z.Maniou@exeter.ac.uk

Michelle Spillar – Co-Head Data, Tech & Health Sector

Email: M.Spillar@exeter.ac.uk