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Meet Anastasia: On a mission to improve respiratory care
Behind every breakthrough are people whose daily work often goes unseen - but whose impact is extraordinary. One of them is Anastasia de la Haye. She has been working at University Hospital Southampton for five years and leads the respiratory research lab. She is funded by both the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Research Facility (CRF). We sat down with her to explore what a day in her world looks like, and what advice she has for the next generation
3 hours ago
Breast cancer trial to investigate how insulin affects treatment response
A new study will investigate whether insulin levels influence how women with breast cancer respond to treatment. The Trans-EndoNET study will examine the relationship between insulin levels and response to a hormone therapy in women with the most common type of breast cancer. The study is now open for patients to take part at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). It is being led by Professor Ramsey Cutress at the University of Southampton (UoS) and Dr Simon Lord at the Unive
2 days ago
Major respiratory infection study completes recruitment
A Southampton-led study on severe viral infections has reached its target of 1,000 participants. The UNIVERSAL study is investigating the impact of severe respiratory viruses on patients and the NHS. The study is being led by Professor Tom Wilkinson and the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SCTU). University Hospital Southampton is the study sponsor. Understanding respiratory viruses Samples from the 1,000 participants will now be used to find out which infections are most pr
2 days ago
Maternal obesity is now an ‘urgent and growing threat’, experts warn
A new warning is calling for national action to reduce maternal obesity that affects one in four pregnancies. The report has been issued by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). It signals that obesity in women and people of childbearing age is an urgent and growing public health concern in the UK. The new RCP View on Obesity and Maternal Health was developed by a group of leading health experts. These include Southampton’s Professor Keith Godfrey. Professor Godfrey is Co-C
Feb 4
Rapid test enters trial to diagnose winter respiratory infections
Southampton researchers are trialling a new rapid test that could cut the time to diagnose winter respiratory viral infections. If proven to be accurate, the test could provide the NHS with a highly scalable, low-cost diagnostic tool for flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This would help clinicians make faster decisions and improve patient care. The is particularly important during winter periods when hospitals face intense pressure from infections. The
Jan 26
Opening the doors: reflections from public contributors on joining a conference
by Danielle Schoenaker, Isla Davis and public contributors Michelle and Zaman Involving public contributors helps make sure studies are meaningful, relevant and grounded in lived experience. Public contributors can be invited to attend academic conferences. But what do they get out of these experiences? And how can researchers support them better? We work at the University of Southampton and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Our research looks at how people can be
Jan 22
Data-linking initiative to save lives on roads included in Government strategy
A pioneering data registry linking data on road collisions and healthcare is part of a new national road safety strategy. The Pre-hospital Research and Audit Network (PRANA) is delivered by a growing team led in University Hospital Southampton (UHS). It aims to save lives by connecting data. These new insights can inform improvements in patient care and support disease prevention. The national registry is based within the Wessex Secure Data Environment (SDE). PRANA has been h
Jan 21
New genetic clues could reveal why some people get meningitis
Scientists have uncovered genetic differences that could show who is most at risk of a potentially life-threatening infection. The international research team identified gene variants that make people more susceptible to meningococcal disease – a serious bacterial infection that can be fatal. The discovery has been published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology . Dr Evangelos Bellos from the University of Southampton is first author the paper. The research lays t
Jan 20
Study honoured for warnings on hospital readmissions among older people
An award-winning paper has warned that older people can feel unheard and unsupported as they leave hospital. Southampton researchers looked at why some older people end up back in the hospital within 30 days of being discharged. Their analysis suggests that listening to what matters most to older people can result in better care. The study brought together insights from a multi-disciplinary team. This included Dr Harnish Patel from the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research C
Jan 20
Professor Tom Wilkinson to lead national research collaboration
Professor Wilkinson has been appointed as the new Chair of the NIHR Respiratory Translational Research Collaboration. The NIHR Respiratory Translational Research Collaboration (R-TRC) brings together leading investigators from across the UK. It aims to speed up the delivery of new drugs for patients with respiratory conditions. Professor Wilkinson is Respiratory and Allergy theme lead at our NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). He is also Professor of Respirato
Jan 16
Peanut patch shown to reduce allergic reactions in young children
Image credit: DBV Technologies New trial results show a specially designed patch could help children with peanut allergy. Hundreds of young children with a peanut allergy took part at dozens of sites for the international clinical trial, including at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). The VIASKIN® Peanut Patch is designed to help children with a peanut allergy build up a tolerance. The aim is to prevent severe reactions if they accidentally eat peanut. Topline results,
Jan 8
Rapid antibiotic tests win prestigious award
Pioneering rapid tests have been recognised with a national prize. iFAST Diagnostics is developing rapid blood and urine tests. These can determine which antibiotics will work for treating a bacterial infection in hours rather than days. The spinout company has won the Institute of Physics' (IoP) Lee Lucas Award. This recognises early-stage companies taking innovative products into the medical and healthcare sector. Professor Hywel Morgan is the company’s Chief Technology Off
Jan 7
Global initiative to transform arthritis research and care
Big data and AI are being used to improve care for arthritis. Southampton researchers are part of a new international partnership, known as PROBE . This aims to revolutionise the way osteoarthritis is understood, diagnosed and treated. Professor Nicholas Harvey, Dr Leo Westbury and Dr Elizabeth Curtis are involved in the major new initiative. All three are researchers at Southampton’s MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre (LEC). They are also part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedi
Jan 6
‘Poignant’ award recognises outstanding contributions to medical research
Professor Keith Godfrey has been honoured with the 2025 David Barker Award. The David Barker Award recognises outstanding contributions to medical research. Each year it is presented to a long-serving consultant at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). In receiving the prize, Professor Godfrey praised his late mentor David Barker, who inspired his journey into research. Globally leading clinical academic Professor Godfrey is Professor of Epidemiology and Human Development at
Jan 5
Moving from conversations to collaboration: Insights from early career researchers
What difference can connecting researchers achieve for health and care? This winter, some of the region’s brightest minds gathered for a networking event in Southampton. Early career researchers from across the NIHR Wessex Experimental Medicine Network (WEMN) and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) shared a day of speed talks, conversations and inspirational keynote sessions. The event brought together researchers from a range of institutions, professions and di
Dec 17, 2025
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