Projects funded through the MIMIT Pump Priming Award Scheme

Supported by seed funding through an Interdisciplinary Bridging Award, MRC and Wellcome Trust 'Value in People' Award

Development of an Objective Spectroscopic Based Grading System for Prostate Cancer Biopsies
Dr. Peter Gardner
Current prostatic malignancy is determined histopathologically by optimal microscopy but this is subjective and dependant on clinical decision making. The project is aimed at developing a more objective grading system for prostate cancer.

Informing the Surgical Management of the Distal Radioulnar Joint - A functional, anatomical and biomechanical approach
Prof. Giorgio Terenghi
Up to 10% wrist fractures problems could be prevented if they were identified as being 'at risk' and undergone surgical intervention at the time of injury. The project aims to identify a functional and biomechanical approach to address the problem.

Peripheral Nerve Repair using a Novel Fabricated Polymer Conduit
Prof. Sandra Downes
Surgical repair for peripheral nerve injuries is limited by defects in nervous tissue that makes it impossible to re-attach the injured nerve needs to each other. The aim is to develop a conduit to aid nerve growth, reattachment and repair.

Complex Cell Sheet Engineering for Epithelial Tissue Regeneration
Prof. Brian Derby
Grafts in the nasal and oral cavity often result in poor outcome due to scarring and drying, a complex cell sheet is aimed at aiding epithelial tissue regeneration.

Biocompatibility Testing of a New Biomaterial for Use in Regeneration of the Degenerate Intervertebral Disc
Prof. Tony Freemont
The project is aimed at testing replacement biomaterials for degenerate intervertebral discs to treat low back pain.

The Development of a Blood Transfusion Trigger Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)
Prof. Charles McCollum
Over transfusion of blood has many complications the project is investigating the use of NIRS to monitor in real time the point at which transfusion can and should be stopped.

Development of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a clinical imaging modality
Dr. Mark Dickinson
Problems exisit in screening and diagnosis of suspected pathological changes in tissue, as well as monitoring tissue response to anti-angiogenic and anti-fibrotic therapies. The aim is to develop OCT as a clinical imaging modality to help address this problem.

Development of a Novel Non Invasive Automated Embolus Detection Device (AeDD) in Extracorporeal Circuits
Dr. Sandeep Mitra
Current monitoring for emboli in extracorporeal circuits is crude and dependent on eye inspection of the bubble trap. The project is aimed at development of a non-invasive automated detection device to provide a more refined and definitive monitoring system.

Real-time Pain Assessment Using EIT for Functional Brain Imaging
Prof. Hugh McCann
Treatment for chronic pain is hampered by lack of knowledge of brain responses to pain, which makes it difficult to optimise therapies / strategies for pain management. The aim is to use EIT functional brain imaging as a means to investigate real time brain responses to pain stimuli.

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