Keele University Prospectus Postgraduate | 2017 | Page 32

Postgraduate Prospectus 2017

Research Institute for
Science and Technology
and Medicine
The Research Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine (ISTM) bridges
the interface between new advances in basic science and medicine, allowing the
translation of laboratory findings into ‘precision medicine’ benefits for patients.
A truly multidisciplinary approach to research is used to address clinical problems
with an excellent integration of the skills and knowledge of engineers, mathematicians,
biologists, physicists and clinicians. ISTM has expanded rapidly over the last
ten years. In the UK national Research Excellence Framework 2014, 90% of the
Institute’s submitted research was rated as internationally significant or higher,
including over 40% ranked as world-leading. Particular highlights were ISTM’s
‘exemplary strategic approach’ to research impact, and its ‘outstanding’ case
studies in cell therapy, and in clinical outcomes of patients with kidney failure.
The focused interaction of scientist and clinician
in a single u nit is key to the success of the institute,
building on the strength of the individual researchers.
Clinically there are strong areas in orthopaedics,
renal and respiratory medicine, rehabilitation,
neuroscience, cancer, pathology, neonatal medicine,
obstetrics and gynaecology, which exist across hospitals
in North Staffordshire (University Hospitals of the
North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust) and Shropshire
(Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital,
Oswestry). The institute’s ‘bench to bedside’ approach
also fosters excellent working relationships with the
NHS nationally and medical and biotechnology
industries globally.
Research in the institute is grouped into a number of
themes, each with an international profile for research.
For example some of the key areas are:
• Biomedical engineering, bioengineering
and the therapeutic use of stem cells;
• Genetics and epigenetics, structural biology,
cell biology, apoptosis;
• Novel imaging and diagnostics, e.g., to identify
disease biomarkers;
• Neurosciences and neurorehabilitation,
e.g., related to stroke, Parkinson’s disease,
hearing loss.
The institute has state-of-the-art laboratory and
clinical research facilities at its three research sites:
UHNM including the Guy Hilton Research Centre,
Keele University campus; and the Robert Jones and
Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry. The latest equipment
for translational research includes cell therapy suites,
genomic facilities, advanced laser and diagnostic
laboratories. Assessment of functional performance
in patients is enabled by a range of equipment for
physiological measurement including a 10-camera,
3D motion analysis system.
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The Institute attracts major research grant funding of
£5 million per year from UK Research Councils, European
Union, National Institutes for Health USA, Department
of Health, Royal Society, Innovate UK and many UK
charities. It currently has in training around 100 doctoral
students and supports four successful master’s courses.
The institute has developed an international profile
for its recent work at the cutting edge of stem cell
therapies and is a European Tissue Engineering Centre
of Excellence. Institute members have active
collaborations with universities throughout the UK,
and over 35 countries in Europe, USA and the rest
of the world.