Health Research at the University of the Highlands and Islands

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1 Health Research at the University of the Highlands and Islands

2 Health specialisms at the University of the Highlands and Islands The breadth of expertise within the Division of Health Research is delivered through complementary science disciplines, specialist centres and a dedicated clinical trials facility. Each group undertakes discrete research projects, as well as collaborative initiatives, that bring together specific skills and facilities to deliver holistic outcomes in health research. The Division of Health Research specialises in the following disciplines: Diabetes and cardiovascular science Rural health Clinical research Introduction The diagram below illustrates the inter-dependency of these research disciplines: Over the past decade the University of the Highlands and Islands has been rapidly developing its capacity in the field of health research and now offers a wealth of expertise to a wide range of organisations, from other academic institutions, to small and medium-sized enterprises and multinational corporations. The university s Division of Health Research is based at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness, adjacent to the region s district hospital, and is the academic component of the Highland Diabetes Institute; a unique collaboration between academia, industry and the NHS. Genetics and immunology Free radical research Diabetes and cardiovascular science Lipidomics Proteomics The team has expertise in diabetes and cardiovascular science, lipidomics, proteomics, genetics and immunology, and free radicals, and includes researchers investigating a range of rural health issues. This capacity, combined with a clinical research facility also located on-site, provides a unique health research platform that can be applied to a range of health questions and challenges. Staff working in health research at the University of the Highlands and Islands are all highly regarded and published in their respective fields, and come from both academic and clinical backgrounds. Some of the researchers are also involved in developing and delivering taught postgraduate courses for the university, to support the advancement of high quality health education. Access, design and delivery of services Digital health Rural health Health of rural people Health research Clinical research Clinical studies and trials Specialist consultancy Clinical informatics 1

3 Diabetes and cardiovascular science Rural health The Department of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Science offers a blend of expertise and equipment to facilitate world-class research in a broad range of inter-connected disciplines. The Centre for Rural Health is a collaboration between the University of the Highlands and Islands and the University of Aberdeen and conducts innovative research into rural health and health services. The centre aims to develop the rural health evidence base available to policy makers, healthcare providers and communities. The department is founded on several key areas of interest: Genetics and immunology Free radical and antioxidant biology Inflammation Lipidomics Proteomics The University of the Highlands and Islands team has particular research interests in: Digital health User engagement in rural health services design and delivery Each area is led by a highly experienced research professional. The team s breadth of expertise allows for the full range of investigation, from in vitro studies at the molecular and cell-signalling level, to functional ex vivo assays in human cells as well as clinical studies in healthy volunteers or patients. Particular strengths include investigations relating to new products with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or antithrombotic activity, as well as a capability to apply world-class lipidomic and proteomic analytical techniques to establish both efficacy and mechanism of action. Expertise in genetics and immunology offers the ability to interrogate novel approaches to combat autoimmune diseases in genetically susceptible populations. With diversity of expertise and access to state-of-the-art facilities this holistic approach to health research enables the department to offer a range of services to academic and commercial organisations engaged in the study of fundamental aspects of disease development, progression and treatment. Researchers address real life policy and practice challenges through close collaboration with policy makers, health service staff and communities. Using participatory and action research approaches the team works with public and third sector organisations to engage users and health professionals in service design and evaluation. This has helped further understanding of the challenges inherent in community engagement and coproduced service provision in rural areas. Using applied social science, the centre s work in digital health focuses on how technology can be used in new ways to deliver health services in rural areas. This involves the design, testing and evaluation of technology to advance understanding of the digital infrastructure, organisational, professional and cultural barriers to the use of technology in rural services. Work on m-health (mobile health), examines the use of technology within behaviour change and the delivery of health education for people living in remote and rural areas with chronic diseases.

4 Clinical research Facilities and services The Highland Clinical Research Facility supports clinical research in the Highlands of Scotland. The facility is one of only five such facilities in Scotland and is operated by the University of the Highlands and Islands in partnership with NHS Highland to bring together specialist expertise. The facility has close links to the Department of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Science and is an integral part of the Highland Diabetes Institute. The Highland Clinical Research Facility is a purpose built unit and provides a wide range of clinical research and health related services to support academic and commercial studies, including multi-centre and single site clinical trials. It also has an on-site pharmacy and facilities for overnight studies. Services include: Clinical trials Health informatics Fitness and health checks Investigative procedures Clinical monitoring Health orientated focus groups Bespoke training Specialist research consultancy The facility is supported by a specialist and highly experienced multi-disciplinary team, including doctors, nurses, pharmacy and data management staff. As well as delivering and conducting trials, they can offer advice on trial design, developing study feasibilities, pharmacy services, ethics approvals, writing protocols and patient recruitment strategies. Novel approaches support engagement with the target population, this includes a huband-spoke model to link with Primary Care partners and a mobile clinical research facility to capture remote and rural areas. The facility also provides a test bed for innovative technology, including virtual clinics, remote monitoring and health informatics. Facilities The Division of Health Research possesses an array of instrumentation for its staff to deliver world-class research, commercial projects, clinical trials and consultancy services to both academic and commercial organisations. The state-of-the-art facilities enable a range of investigations from in vitro studies to ex vivo assays and clinical studies in healthy patients and volunteers. Facilities include: Cell culture laboratory Biochemistry and functional assay laboratory Molecular biology and genetics laboratory Mass spectrometry suite Bioinformatics and data mining tools Clinical research facility with dedicated consulting rooms. Services The Division of Health Research can offer a range of services that can be tailored to the requirements of the partner involved. Services include: Consultancy Fee for service projects Collaborative projects Planning and design of studies Method development Data analysis Patient/volunteer recruitment Clinical trials Nutritional services Student/researcher placement Bespoke education and training User engagement Digital health applications 4 5

5 Staff Diabetes and cardiovascular science Prof. Ian Megson Vascular studies Thrombosis and antithrombotics Cell signalling and function Free radicals, oxidative stress, antioxidant defence Inflammation Contact: Dr Janet Adamson Flow cytometry PCR Cell culture ELISAs Contact: Genetics and immunology Dr Jun Wei Genetics Immunogenetics Nutrigenomics Molecular biology Autoimmunity Contact: Lipidomics Prof. Phil Whitfield Global lipidomics Targeted lipid analysis Lipid metabolism Lipids in health and disease Multivariate statistics Contact: Proteomics Dr Mary Doherty Proteomics Protein dynamics SILAC Mass spectrometry Bioinformatics Contact: Rural health Dr Sarah-Anne Munoz Health geography Health and place Community engagement and co-production Participatory research Contact: Clinical research Prof. Sandra MacRury Diabetes Clinical research Metabolic disorders Digital health Informatics Physical activity Contact: Dr Linda Birnie Clinical research Highland Clinical Research Facility services Addressing health inequalities Engaging target populations Contact: 6

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