NAMRIP demonstrates its research at the EPSRC Healthcare Technologies visit day

The showcase, which was arranged by Research and Innovations Services, allowed our EPSRC colleagues to hear a range of talks by University researchers as well as browse the exhibition and chat to academics.

Tim Leighton gave an overview of NAMRIP, and presented a slide show selection of research projects from NAMRIP members which EPSRC asked to take a copy of. The areas covered were:

• Imaging biocide in paints, and biofilm growth, to calculate the lifetime of protective paints (Luke Goodes, NCATS, FEE);
• Developing joint replacement implants that actively combat infection (M. Browne, C. Woods & A. Dickinson, FEE);
• Coating catheters in copper to hinder biofilm growth (Sandra Wilks, Biological Sciences, FNES);
• Improvements in practices with urinary catheters to prevent urinary tract infection (Jacqui Prieto, Health Sciences);
• Treating cattle feel without antibiotics by trimming and draining infected feet and fitting wood shoe (Emma Roe, Geography and Environment);
• Improvements in the control of tapeworm, cysticercosis and sleeping sickness through analysis of infectious disease data and the relationships between human and livestock health (Nicola Wardup, Geography and Environment);
• Sustainable solutions to help prevent the infection, decline and extinction of fish populations, and the development of antibiotic resistance in farmed fish (Paul Kemp, FEE);
• Biomicrofluidic systems to carry urine past blockages in the ureter to prevent infection (X. Zhang, FEE);
• engineered honey to replace systemic antibiotics in fighting infections in patients who suffer with chronic sinusitis and patients who have had sinus surgery (Sylvia Pender and Rami Salib, Medicine);
• training audiologists for infection prevention in clinical practice (Nicola Timoney and Sarah Flynn, University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service, FEE)
• Domestic flood gates designed by an undergraduate team could prevent infection during floods (Martin Browne, FEE).

Other displays, from  NAMRIP members and other academic colleagues included:

• Microfluidics and Sensors – Hywel Morgan and Martha Valiadi
• Biomaterials and Biomechanics – Martin Browne and Peter Worsley
• Imaging – Ian Sinclair and Sumeet Mahajan
• Assistive Technologies – Anne-Marie Hughes and Mustafa Kutlu
• Repair – Richard Oreffo and Shoufeng Yang
• Movement Science – Martin Warner and Markus Heller
• Audiology – David Simpson and Steve Bell
• Big Data – Simon Cox and Ben MacArthur
• Future Therapies – Tim Leighton and Peter Roach

Professor Leighton used a phone app developed by NAMRIP member Kieran Hand, the ‘Microguide’, to demonstrate to the EPSRC team how doctors use it to help them to refine their antibiotic use: 70% of doctors recently surveyed had it on their phone and said that on average they accessed it about once per week. The app has been developed and marketed in partnership with Horizon Strategic Partners.