We are dedicated to advancing human health throughout people’s lives by leveraging cutting-edge research. Our focus extends beyond conventional boundaries as we delve into the intricate interplay of genetics, lifestyle, and behaviour. We unravel their profound impacts on human development and growth so that we can have an impact on mortality and health throughout our lives.
Trans-placental nanoscale pathways
By identifying these, our research helps to explain how foetuses are exposed to pharmaceuticals and pollutants
1st
3D-printed hip using stem cells
Our research led to this innovative treatment for bone damage and disease
6th
Heart attack risk biomarker
We discovered the troponin biomarker that predicts mortality in patients — even if they’ve no underlying or suspected condition
Overview
About the School of Human Development and Health
We’re a school within the Faculty of Medicine. Our research and teaching focus on the entire human life course from preconception to old age, to improve public health and patient outcomes and care.
Our main focus is on:
the genetic basis of disease
how epigenetics links lifestyle exposure to phenotype
factors influencing healthy pregnancy outcomes and lifelong health
how to achieve, maintain and restore musculoskeletal, cardiometabolic and immune/inflammatory health
Our research aims to improve public health and patient outcomes.
Our research
We investigate mechanisms and test interventions, studying molecules, cells, individuals and populations. We are especially interested in musculoskeletal, metabolic, and immune/inflammatory health.
Our 7 main themes of investigation each correspond with a research group.
Cardiology
Our resesarch group’s work spans coronary and structural heart disease, rhythm abnormalities and pacing, as well as heart failure and complex devices. We are employing artificial intelligence models in several projects. We’ve 3 teams involved in both investigator-led and multicentre randomised trials such as FORECAST and RIPCORD2, as well as commercial projects:
Our work encompasses developmental processes from around conception into early childhood, the first 1,000 days. We aim to improve the scientific basis for medical interventions in this period to optimise reproductive success, childhood health and health across the lifecourse.
Epigenetics
We aim to understand how environmental influences on our genes affect the risk of disease throughout the lifecourse. Our researchers employ the latest cellular, molecular and bioinformatic approaches to study influences on the epigenome, from transcriptomics to machine learning. We develop novel interventions to promote healthy ageing and reduce ill-health.
Global health
We seek to foster a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to research, education, and outreach in order to improve health equity and resilience and quality of life worldwide. Our research initiatives and collaborations advance knowledge, develop innovative solutions and nurture the next generation of leaders.
Human genetics and genomic medicine
Our research is centred around understanding the mechanisms of disease, using contemporary techniques and bioinformatics to identify and understand the basis of human disease. It also focuses on how research insights can best be used to benefit patients.
Nutrition, endocrinology and metabolism
Our researchers work to understand disease processes and to improve lifelong human health and wellbeing through research and innovation in the areas of nutrition, endocrinology and metabolism.
Regenerative medicine and musculoskeletal science
We focus on regenerative medicine and musculoskeletal science, exploring new technologies and treatments to promote the repair and regeneration of bones and cartilage. The group’s research cuts across the boundaries of the biological, medical and physical sciences.
Key achievements
Our research has led to many discoveries and innovations, and to a wide variety of improvements to our understanding of human development and health.
Studies we conducted increased understanding of how vitamin D crosses the placenta and showed that vitamin D supplements in pregnant women improve offspring bone mass. We also discovered that this benefit persists into later childhood. The study’s outputs have informed national and international policy.
Global infant body composition reference charts
Our work led to the development of the first global infant body composition reference charts, to strengthen interpretation and understanding of infant growth.
Preparation for parenthood
Our research has highlighted that many couples expecting a child are unprepared for parenthood. It’s also shown how preparing for parenthood can help mothers and fathers improve their children’s development and health.
Adult obesity and muscle ageing
We’ve established how obesity in later life can cause muscles to age faster. We’ve also highlighted the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight in a way that supports healthy ageing.
Using blood tests to identify liver fibrosis
Our research has shown that enhanced liver librosis (ELF) tests hold great potential for improving the patient care pathway. This observation has also led to the development of an improved ELF test.
Improving a widely used model for predicting breast cancer
Research we’ve conducted was used to improve the accuracy of a widely used model for assessing the prognosis of early onset breast cancer. This in turn led to revised National Institute for Care Excellence guidelines for testing for breast cancer genetic variants.
Parallel transcriptomic sequencing for rare disease
The national policy for testing patients with rare disease was informed by our research on parallel transcriptomatic gene sequencing. This type of sequencing helps to interpret the functional impact of genetic variation.
Collaboration and enterprise
We collaborate closely with a range of academic institutions, research institutes and organisations to help our research insights have real world impacts that benefit patients and wider society.
Driving the greater use of gene data in diagnoses
We partnered with the Genomic Medicine Service to develop new clinical pathways that integrate findings from our research on diagnosing autoimmune diseases into precision care in the NHS. Our studies led to improved diagnoses based on genomic sequencing data, which has driven the use of genomic diagnostic testing in clinical specialities that have not traditionally used it. New patient groups are benefiting from this.
Cardiology researchers are part of an international collaboration to challenge the way we treat bystander coronary disease in patients presenting with acute heart attack. The ‘PICNIC’ project also involved researchers in the US, Canada and South Korea and was partially funded by the Wessex Heartbeat charity.
Developing pacemakers with device companies
Cardiology investigators have supported the testing and development of leadless permanent pacemakers and small implantable monitoring devices detect early deterioration in patients with heart failure. This involved working with several large device companies.
We aim to better understand human physiology and disease processes and to identify and test novel interventions to enhance health across the lifecourse, and to improve patient care.
