{"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"The NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) creates an environment where early-phase, clinical and applied research can thrive. Our aim is to bridge the gap between new discoveries and the development of improved treatments, diagnostics, medical technologies and policy changes, ultimately improving patient care."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Sheffield has held BRC status since 2016, initially dedicated to Neuroscience research before expanding to a four-themed research centre in December 2022. We have a strong focus on involving patients and the public in the design and execution of our research, as well as training the next generation of researchers through our BRC Training Academy. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"},{"type":"underline"}],"text":"Neuroscience"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"We run an experimental medicine programme bringing innovation to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chronic neurological disorders. Our primary goal is to rapidly bring forward effective therapies to improve both life expectancy and quality of life for people with these conditions."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Cardiovascular Disease"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"The University of Sheffield is a world-leading research centre for cardiovascular disease, with a focus on atherothrombosis, pulmonary artery hypertension and neurovascular disease. The Cardiovascular Disease Theme of the NIHR Sheffield BRC will exploit exciting lab-based discoveries and early-stage clinical findings to develop novel clinical research programmes."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Our research will improve the quality of life and prognosis of people with coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and pulmonary vascular disease through enhanced pharmacological therapies, novel device interventions, remote monitoring and the personalisation of treatment supported by biomarker analysis, digital systems and clinical care algorithms. It is key that we extend these benefits to populations with a high burden of cardiovascular disease through the engagement of patients and the public in large-scale research studies, enhanced publicity surrounding local research activities and results, and the development of primary care networks in areas with high levels of social deprivation."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Infection & Immunity"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Infections inflict disproportionate harm on the immunocompromised, people with chronic inflammatory diseases and lower socio-economic groups. It is recognised that South Yorkshire has large populations of immunocompromised patients, including people living with HIV and recipients of haematopoietic stem cell transplants. Inflammatory diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atopic dermatitis, present significant national health burdens and are exacerbated by infection. Populations most affected are often from disadvantaged socio-economic groups, which are overrepresented in South Yorkshire. "}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"The Infection & Immunity Theme of the NIHR Sheffield BRC builds on the rich interdisciplinary environment provided by "},{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"http://www.floreyinstitute.com/","target":"_blank","rel":"noopener noreferrer nofollow","class":null}}],"text":"The Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions"},{"type":"text","text":". By bringing together laboratory scientists in pathogen biology and immunology, public health experts, infectious disease modellers and clinicians, the Institute effectively integrates strong basic science research in The University of Sheffield with clinical translational studies at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Imaging & Engineering"}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre drives technology-led clinical research from world-leading innovative approaches in Imaging, Predictive Computational Modelling, Smart Devices/Sensor Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Engineering. We collaborate locally with industrial partners, providing transformative approaches that optimise and maximise the use of available medical technologies and digital-data, whilst reducing the cost of expensive diagnostics and interventions with innovative device-design, data-linkage, digital-twins and modelling."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","text":"Our Imaging and Engineering for Health Theme uses a population-driven data-centric approach across South Yorkshire to understand variations in disease prevalence. We work with our EDI programme to develop innovative strategies that reduce avoidable morbidity and mortality. Our data will drive the science, thereby delivering research that has high relevance to patient health and the healthcare system. The technologies we develop will enable AI to make new discoveries and will also ensure privacy and empower patient control over data through innovative approaches. Our research focuses on the most cost-effective technologies relevant to diseases with high burden."}]},{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"link","attrs":{"href":"https://www.sheffieldbrc.nihr.ac.uk/home","target":"_blank","rel":"noopener noreferrer nofollow","class":null}}],"text":"https://www.sheffieldbrc.nihr.ac.uk/home"}]}]}