Early detection and diagnosis
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the Western world and is commonly diagnosed via invasive cystoscopy. Birmingham researchers have developed a urine test to replace this procedure – find out more about this non-invasive procedure:
Download case study (pdf): New non-invasive urine test developed to detect bladder cancer
News story: Urine test for bladder cancer could replace thousands of invasive procedures each year
Experimental medicine
Birmingham’s BRC received £30m funding in 2022 and is the largest centre of its kind outside the ‘Golden Triangle’. Find out more about its research impact in organ transplantation, debilitating headaches and Covid19:
Download case study (pdf): NIHR Birmingham BRC – centre of excellence for inflammation research
Established in 2020, the Cerebra Network – a collaboration between BHP’s Aston University and the University of Birmingham, with the universities of Warwick and Surrey – aims to deliver greater insight into children with rare and complex syndromes.
Download case study (pdf): Cerebra Network for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Birmingham research has shown that Faecal Microbiota Transplants (FMT) – where ‘good bacteria’ from a healthy donor is transferred to the gut of a patient with the infection – are highly successful in treating patients with C.diff infection, who have not responded to other methods of treatment.
Learn more by downloading our Faecal Microbiota Transplant case study (pdf).
Clinical trials
Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer caused by a range of specific mutations which vary between patients. This presents a clear opportunity for the use of precision medicine as individual patients won’t all respond in the same way to the same treatment.
Our maternal health research is internationally recognised, with one trial having been recognised by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as one of only seven interventions that could save 2 million lives by 2030. Find out more about the E-MOTIVE trial as well as our research in miscarriage – download our maternal health case study (pdf).
More than 8,500 people die each year from chronic liver disease in the UK, but the NHS is forced to reject 1 out of 5 livers that are donated because they are not considered to be of good enough quality to be used. Birmingham’s VITTAL trial found that a technique called liver perfusion could save up to 7 in 10 donor livers that would otherwise be rejected.
Download our VITTAL case study (pdf) to learn more about the trial.
Addressing health inequalities
Members of Birmingham Health Partners are part of the Government’s Mental Health Mission, with the city receiving £9.9m funding to establish the Midlands Translational Research Centre of Excellence – focusing on treatments in early psychosis, depression and children and young people. Find out more about what the Centre has set out to achieve.