Annual Review 2020: Health and Care Research

 The process by which cells undergo autophagy – or ‘self-eating’ – thus helping the body to destroy bacteria and viruses after infection, was the focus of a major research paper by medical scientists this year. Published in Nature Communications, the paper shed new light on the mechanisms behind how it works, and how it fails, in particular something called ‘liquid-liquid phase separation’. The team believe the findings could provide the first steps towards new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Dental researchers published two high-profile studies this year, revealing the impact that commonly used mouthwash can have upon the body. The first, working with the Centre for Genomic Regulation, in Barcelona, and published in the Radical Biology & Medicine journal, showed that mouthwash can counterattack the beneficial blood-pressure – lowering effect of exercise by more than 60% over the first hour of recovery, and totally abolishing it two hours after exercise when participants were given the antibacterial mouthwash.

The second major piece of research, published in Scientific Reports, revealed that mouthwash can increase the amount of lactate-producing bacteria, which lowers pH, making saliva more acidic and thus increasing the risk of tooth damage. The team looked at the effects of chlorhexidine mouthwash on the whole oral microbiome, and after seven days they found it reduced microbial diversity and increased the abundance of species within the families Firmicutes and Proteobacteria.

A potentially life-changing project was launched during the year to help injured or ill former musicians reconnect with the joy of playing. The Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research is working with people (such as ex-military or emergency services) who, through physical injury or mental illness, are no longer able to play their instruments. The work will involve making individual adaptations to the way instruments are played, and providing psychological support. The project is the brainchild of composer Dr Nuria Bonet, and Charlotte Storey, former Head of Voice in Plymouth Conservatoire. Music will be composed specifically for participants and their abilities, with a series of rehearsals culminating in a public performance by the group at a future date.

 

An international team of researchers, led by Professor Bing Hu, unveiled new research on a potentially novel solution to tooth repair. Professor Hu and his team have discovered a new population of mesenchymal stem cells (the stem cells that make up skeletal tissue such as muscle and bone) in a continuously growing mouse incisor model. In a paper, published in Nature Communications, they showed that these cells contribute to the formation of tooth dentin, the hard tissue that covers the main body of a tooth. Importantly, the work showed that when they are activated, they send signals back to the mother cells of the tissue to control the number of cells produced, through a molecular gene called Dlk1. Their paper was the first to show that Dlk1 is vital for this process to work, and went on to prove that it can enhance stem cell activation and tissue regeneration in a tooth wound healing model. This mechanism could provide a novel solution for tooth reparation, in combating problems such as tooth decay and trauma treatment.

A University spinout company, led by a renowned biomedical scientist, is making significant progress in the development of a vaccine that could be used to tackle COVID-19 in animals. The Vaccine Group, incorporated from the work of Dr Michael Jarvis, has been researching the virus since the pandemic began and announced that its first two possible vaccines had proven successful in pre-animal trial laboratory testing. Its aim now is to develop vaccines so as to eliminate SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in existing animal sources. The vaccines could also be used to ensure cats, which have already been shown can become infected with SARS-CoV-2, and other pets do not become a reservoir for future outbreaks. The company is also investigating the longer-term potential of human vaccines; the next stage of development will be vital in assessing the technology’s safety and efficacy for use in humans.

Research and Enterprise

The University has a proud reputation for conducting world-leading, impactful research across a broad range of fields. From health technologies to heritage; marine sciences to medicine; psychology to sustainability. And alongside these sustained peaks of excellence, the University is fast developing a critical mass of expertise in emerging, exciting areas such as agritechnology, antimicrobial resistance, cybersecurity and creative economies.

Our University draws upon its location to maximise these research strengths. Across marine sciences and maritime, we’re able to take advantage of the breathtaking natural environment of Plymouth Sound (the first National Marine Park), as well as the many marine-related companies that are based here. To this natural laboratory we have added a waterfront Marine Station, home to our expanding fleet of research and teaching vessels, and a nationally leading Marine Building, with its wave tanks and navigation centre, and we are developing a cutting-edge Cyber-SHIP Lab to tackle the issue of cybersecurity in the maritime sector.

In health and care research, we take advantage of our co-location and partnership with the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. Our Derriford Research Facility, located adjacent to the hospital, is home to medical and biomedical experts conducting research into areas such as infection and immunity, neurodegenerative diseases, brain tumours and antimicrobial resistance.

We are leading the development of potentially the first new antibiotic in 30 years and the first vaccines for the animal population against COVID-19. And adding to our first-class facilities, a new Brain Research and Imaging Centre is due to open, which will include the most advanced MRI scanner in the region.

Finally, our Sustainable Earth Institute (SEI) – our third overarching strategic research institute – continues to build innovative partnerships with industry and government, not just here in the South West, but also overseas. Operating from the new Sustainability Hub on campus, the SEI acts as a catalyst whereby University expertise can be applied to a range of challenges, from the low carbon agenda to water quality and food security in the developing world. Over the following pages, we present some of the developments and successes that have defined the year, including the publication of groundbreaking work in high-impact journals, the winning of major funding grants, our partnerships with industry, and the recognition of our staff in identifying and solving problems of global significance. The University’s research community is flourishing, ready to respond to global challenges and opportunities.

Professor Jerry Roberts
Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Research and Enterprise