NIHRDataInsights/HRCSData huggingface dataset:
Title: Integrative Biological Imaging Network (IBIN)
Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Abstract: The ability to image multiple signalling and phenotypic changes across different cell populations in vitro or in vivo, and then integrate and display this information quantitatively, would transform the study of many biological processes. Achieving such imaging and analysis is a major multidisciplinary challenge across the life and physical sciences, which holds the potential to deliver significant impact across a broad range of fundamental and medical fields. The Integrated Biological Imaging Network (IBIN) will combine cell, molecular and in vivo biologists, engineers, physicists, chemists and computational scientists to brainstorm and implement solutions to defining complex tissue-wide biological questions. The combined expertise in microscopy instrument development, cell and in vivo biology, mathematics, chemistry and computer science will provide an excellent framework to develop new strategies to tackle this unmet need. The shared vision is to develop a suite of multi-modal imaging approaches and appropriate biological tools/probes for use in these settings, which will deliver novel biological network information from molecules to mice. Quantitative information on protein dynamics, activation and interactions over this range of length-scales will allow us to understand the short and long term consequences of local signals on cell behaviour, tissue organisation and disease. We will base network discussions and experimental activities around three exemplar biological challenges that encompass the core problems to be tackled, with relevance to both homeostasis and disease mechanisms in the following biological areas: 1) Cell adhesion signalling hierarchy in development and disease; 2) Long-range molecular cues that regulate immune cell behaviour; 3) Tissue mechanics controlling cell growth. IBIN represents an exciting and timely opportunity to harness the broad base of UK expertise to deliver innovative new imaging solutions for complex biological questions.


Research activity codes: 1.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (UNDERPINNING)
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Organ-on-a-chip Technologies
Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Abstract: An organ-on-a-chip is an in vitro model of a human tissue/organ which is as physiologically representative as possible and integrates the varied physiochemical cues experienced in vivo. Modulating physiochemical inputs, it is possible to recreate injury/disease in the organ and investigating response to potential therapies. Developing in vitro models is an engineering task, in which major technical challenges remain. It is necessary to develop complex fluid flow or mechanical loading apparatus alongside high throughput rapid analytics, and also to create structured, tissue mimicking biomaterials which maintain heterogeneous cell populations. However, success in meeting these engineering challenges is predicated upon detailed biological understanding of the native tissue, its function and physiochemical environment in vivo. As such, organ-on-a-chip development is inherently multi-disciplinary, necessitating input from a wide range of physical and life science specialisms. Further, devices must be easy to use and multi-station for rapid adoption by industry/clinical trial centres, necessitating cross-sectoral input from end users originating from industry, clinic and the life sciences. The UK houses a wealth of expertise in the technical challenges of in vitro model design. However, it is crucial we mobilise and coordinate research efforts now if we are to reach our potential as world-leaders. We will therefore facilitate cross-discipline/sector research interactions, and support proof-of-concept research to leverage further funding. We will also provide training for the next generation of researchers enabling them to understand the complex interdisciplinary nature of in vitro models technology, and develop the skills they need to become world leaders. We propose a TTL network to address these goals, raising the profile of UK organ-on-a-chip research, engaging more UK researchers into this nascent field, and highlighting the quality of UK science internationally.


Research activity codes: 1.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (UNDERPINNING)
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: PhenomUK - Crop Phenotyping: from Sensors to Knowledge
Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Abstract: PhenomUK is a Technology Touching Life network proposal centred on plant phenotypic technologies. Its primary aim is to foster interdisciplinary research into innovative, and potentially disruptive, technological capabilities that will drive world-leading discovery research in plant and agricultural science. It will do this by bringing together the engineering and physical and life science communities to consider novel technologies and their integration to a degree not achieved by previous projects driven by specific biological hypotheses and objectives. Attention will centre on the combination and integration of existing and emerging phenotyping technologies in three directions: 1. Across phenotyping contexts, to maximise the benefit obtained from the different types of knowledge created by phenotyping 2. Across biological and temporal scales, to produce much richer data streams than are currently available 3. Over time, creating robust phenotyping systems incorporating sensor selection and placement, data acquisition, fusion, analysis and management. This will position the UK to play a leading role in the rapidly developing international phenotyping community and obtain maximum benefit from emerging technologies and the many stand-alone phenotyping tools and data sets developed to date.


Research activity codes: 1.1 NORMAL BIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTIONING
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: 3DBioNet: an integrated technological platform for 3D micro-tissues
Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Abstract: Conventional two-dimensional cell models have helped understand physiology and contributed to the discovery of drugs that have improved human health. Nevertheless, they offer a poor representation of human tissue and its pharmacological response to drugs. Moreover, animal models are often not accurate models of human disease either. Increasing awareness of these shortcomings has led to the development of 3D cell culture models of human tissues or micro-tissues. These have enormous potential for helping to elucidate human physiology, mechanisms of diseases and how these may be safely treated. However, exploitation of these opportunities is limited by major challenges. Drug discovery, cell therapy and personalised medicine applications require new technologies that replicate biophysical cell growth conditions, enhance the reproduciblity of micro-tissue handling and provide analytical options that capture the complexity of the cellular structures that can now be generated. This requires sustained interdisciplinary collaborations and innovations in the physical sciences. The 3DBioNet network assembles researchers who together possess the expertise needed to address these challenges including engineers (3D printing, microfluidics), physicists (advanced imaging, biomechanics), chemists (scaffold materials, dyes with high penetration into tissues), mathematicians (modelling the physiological and pharmacological behaviour of 3D complex systems) and biologists, biomedical scientists and relevant industrial stakeholders. Through the organisation of regular workshops, the use of online communication and collaboration tools, the funding of placements for early career researchers and the award of pump priming funds, we will establish a dynamic multidisciplinary network of researchers from academia and industry that will strengthen the position of the UK as a leader in the field of 3D micro-tissues.


Research activity codes: 1.5 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (UNDERPINNING)
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: GRANULE: Generating student recruiters for randomised trials
Funder: Bowel Disease Research Foundation

Abstract: Best care for patients is discovered from randomised clinical trials, but few patients undergoing an operation are given the opportunity to enter one. We aim to create a culture where all patients are given this chance. In this project, we will test whether senior medical students (one year from becoming doctors) can be trained to recruit patients to clinical trials, in order to create a generation of research ready junior doctors


Research activity codes: 6.9 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (TREATMENT EVALUATION)
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Time for change in ICU: the role of circadian clocks in critical illness
Funder: British Journal of Anaesthesia

Abstract: Approximately 90,000 patients per year are admitted into UK intensive care units (ICUs). Disruption to the circadian clock is often observed in these patients however both the aetiology and consequences for recovery are poorly characterised. Aim1: Does environmental disruption on ICU cause circadian disruption? Blood samples will be taken from patients who receive a BiVAD (biventricular assist device) soon after admission to ICU and when they are convalescing either at home or on ICU. These will be used to identify whether the ICU environment or physiological disruption affect circadian oscillations. Secondary analysis will analyse circadian control of the circulating immune cell repertoire, and serum mediators of immunity, including pro-inflammatory cytokines. Aim2: Whether environmental disruption (constant light exposure) alters outcomes after pneumonia To investigate the effect of the ICU environment, a model of constant light will be used. Pneumococcal infection will be done under constant light or light:dark conditions. By measuring inflammatory cell infiltrates and pulmonary inflammation I will be able to demonstrate whether constant light increases the inflammatory response and whether it disrupts circadian oscillations. Further environmental challenges may include forced desynchrony protocols, to disrupt circadian oscillations, and targeted deletion of the key clock gene BMAL1 in myeloid, or macrophage cells. Aim 3: Analysis of lung and peripheral blood circadian oscillations in pneumonia Pulmonary inflammation and infection are common in ICU. Inflammation may affect the pulmonary circadian clock with consequences for recovery. I will investigate how pulmonary infection impacts the pulmonary clock using both in-vivo and in-vitro approaches.


Research activity codes: 2.2 FACTORS RELATING TO PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Morbidity and Mortality among people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage: a cohort study using cross-sectoral data linkage
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: People affected by homelessness, imprisonment, drug addiction or severe mental illness tend to have very poor health, and are at high risk of dying early. Despite increasing evidence that these experiences are often closely linked, most previous research has looked at each in isolation. As a result, we know very little about how the combination of these factors – known as ‘severe and multiple disadvantage’ (SMD) affects health. This study will investigate the health of people with SMD by bringing together existing databases from health, social care, and prison services in a secure and confidential way. It will provide the first comprehensive picture of what conditions cause ill-health and death with people with SMD, addressing key research priorities identified by the affected population, policymakers and healthcare professionals. Using these results, we can improve the services provided for this vulnerable population and provide tailored interventions to better meet their needs.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Symptoms of SVD: identifying non-traditional neurological and cognitive symptoms of cerebral small vessel disease
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: As people get older, it is common to develop damage within small brain blood vessels which damage the brain, visible on brain scans. This damage can build up over time, leading to walking problems, vascular dementia and stroke. The reason for this is not fully understood. We think that people get quite subtle symptoms from this damage. These symptoms might be an early warning sign. Symptoms include things like mild problems with thinking, walking and mood. Patients and their doctors may not yet realise that these symptoms could be important. Proposed research: Using detailed surveys and patient assessments, I aim to find out whether adults with early abnormalities on their brain scans are in fact getting any of these subtle symptoms. I will also perform regular detailed tests of thinking and brain scans to look for development of any abnormalities over time. Outcomes and benefits: This area has not been studied before. My research will test whether simple questions about early symptoms can predict problems later on. If we can tie specific symptoms to changes on brain scans, this will let us to spot people at high risk of stroke and vascular dementia much earlier.


Research activity codes: 4.1 DISCOVERY AND PRECLINICAL TESTING OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Optimising the care plus feasibility trial for a definitive randomised controlled trial grant
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: The CARE Plus intervention is a primary care-based complex intervention for people with multiple chronic conditions. The intervention was developed and tested in an exploratory randomised controlled trial (RCT) which showed that it was feasible in GP Practices serving socio-economically deprived population, and suggested it may be both clinically and cost-effective. This needs to be proven in a large definitive RCT, but, before making a major funding bid later this year, some further optimisation research is required. This concerns determining the best approach for selecting patients and the Information Technology (IT) requirements for this; as well as enhancing the means by which the intervention provides peer support for participating practitioners.


Research activity codes: 8.4 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGIES (HEALTH SERVICES)
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Frameworks To Maximise Effective Intervention Sustainability On The Ward – A Systematic Review
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: The NHS is continually employing new initiatives to improve the care it provides. Examples of these include use of health promotion measures, changing the way care is delivered on the ward, and using eHealth to help patients self manage their condition(s). However, even when such initiatives have been shown to be successful, they are often not sustained over time. This can lead to wasted financial investment and potentially poorer health outcomes. There has been very little research to date that has looked at ways to improve sustaining initiatives in practice. We want to find out about strategies currently used to sustain different initiatives in a hospital ward-based setting. We will review all the published work on this topic, and will combine the findings to understand a) what strategies work to support long-term change (i.e. an initiative still in use 12 months after initial intervention delivery), b) how these strategies can inform a tool to support sustained change we have already developed (PIVOT) to create PIVOT+ (PIVOT plus key attributes arising from the review) and c) how PIVOT+ can be used in future studies looking at sustained change.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Rapid review of definitions and measures of sexual wellbeing, to inform a future measure development
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: We seek to conduct a rapid review of the evidence on 1) whether any measures of sexual wellbeing exist 2) how sexual wellbeing has been operationalised and assessed, in order to bolster our Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) proposal to develop a measure of sexual wellbeing. A rapid review will illuminate whether any existing measurement work has taken place, how the concept is being operationalised at present – including whether it narrowly focuses on aspects of sexual wellbeing. This review will provide important formative data with which to inform phase 1 of the proposed work set out in our ESRC application, including topic guide development for the qualitative semi-structured interviews.


Research activity codes: 1.4 METHODOLOGIES AND MEASUREMENTS
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Working on hearts and minds: An application for support to develop a study of stress responsivity, neuroimmunology, genetics/epigenetics and brain development in children who experienced adversity in early life.
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Abused and neglected children are at higher risk of later physical (e.g. heart disease) and mental health problems. Animal research suggests that adversity causes “up-regulation” of stress and immune systems - like turning up a thermostat - with effects on brain development. We want to know if this is true in children. Finding out will require us to ask children aged 7-9 to take part in stress testing, give us about two teaspoonfuls of blood for examination of their immune system and a brain scan. We would use this funding to find out, by conducting engaging consultation events, if children are happy to take part in these tests.


Research activity codes: 8.4 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGIES (HEALTH SERVICES)
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Setting research priorities for improving participant retention in clinical trials: a consensus based multi stakeholder approach
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Clinical trials produce the information we need to provide evidence-based healthcare. Thousands are done every year, but not all are useful. One thing that reduces their usefulness is poor retention: not managing to keep enough people in the trial until the end. It is common for trial participants to drop out before the trial finishes. Half of trials lose more than 10% (some more than 20%) of people before they finish. This seriously affects the credibility of trial results, significantly affects a trial’s potential to improve healthcare practices and wastes money and time. Finding good ways to reduce drop out is now a research priority. However, the specific, most important questions that need answering to reduce drop out in clinical trials have not been identified. We want to develop a list of top research questions (generated from a collaborative process of trail participants and those undertaking trials working together) to form the basis of future research on retention to make more trials useful.


Research activity codes: 8.4 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGIES (HEALTH SERVICES)
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Survivorship after critical illness: an integrated systematic literature review
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Surviving critical illness goes beyond initial physical recovery with patients and families living through lengthy periods of adjustments; economically, socially and physically. It is unclear what survivorship, the time after discharge home, means or what outcomes are important to patients and families. We will systematically review the literature and conduct interviews to understand the processes people go through when moving through processes of survivorship after critical illness. We will identify significant outcomes for critical illness survivors and their families so we know what is important to them and what we should be measuring in a larger follow on study.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: The Development of a virtual cohort of children born to opioid dependent mothers in Scotland
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: In Scotland, c.500 children a year are born to women who use opioid drugs. Evidence exists that these children experience poorer physical and mental health, however research on this group is limited due to the chaotic nature of their lives, making it near impossible to follow them up beyond birth. This project will follow a group of children who were born to opioid dependent mothers, using routinely collected data from health records, to explore what happens to them in the first two years. This will lead to a bigger proposal which will explore longer-term health, social and educational outcomes.


Research activity codes: 2.4 SURVEILLANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Closing hospitals: an evaluation of knowledge use and public involvement in disinvestment proposals
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Proposals to close hospitals often meet major public opposition. Why do health service managers and publics hold such divergent views, whay evidence do they draw on in their arguments, and how is disagreement resolved? This project will investigate these questions in Scotland. I will compare all proposed closures since 1999 by looking at documents and media coverage. I will then research three proposed closures in more detail by interviewing the public, staff and politicians involved, and observing consultation activities (such as public meetings) where these are still happening. The outcome of this research will be a project to bring together members of the public, managers and politicians to work towards accessible guidance for all those involved in decision-making around hospital closures. By learning about this issue and producing practical guidance, it is hoped that this research can make the decision-making process (whatever the outcome) less difficult, expensive and divisive.


Research activity codes: 8.3 POLICY, ETHICS AND RESEARCH GOVERNANCE
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
Title: Envisioning the next generation of integrated health and care information technology infrastructure: an interdisciplinary investigation of stakeholder perspectives, technological feasibility, and implications for policy
Funder: Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

Abstract: Internationally, there is increasing interest in the potential of information technology (IT) to enhance the quality, safety and efficiency of healthcare. Such systems are therefore quite rightly now a priority for the Scottish Government and many other governments worldwide. The proposed work seeks to explore how Scotland can build IT systems that allow health and social care to be connected, thereby helping achieve the best possible outcomes for patients, professionals, and health and social care organisations. I will work with international experts that have made significant headway towards realising this aim, speaking to clinicians, patients, system developers and managers. The results will help the Scottish Government to make key strategic decisions in relation to what technologies to invest in, and inform future iterations of the Scottish eHealth Strategy resulting in safer, more effective and efficient care for patients treated in Scotland and beyond.


Research activity codes: 8.3 POLICY, ETHICS AND RESEARCH GOVERNANCE
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE