New equipment and technologies will increase health research across the region, following a major funding boost.
Over £1.7m is being invested in Wessex by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
The funding is part of £96 million awarded to NHS organisations across England.
The new equipment and technology will help find new ways to prevent and treat diseases.
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHSFT) will receive around £900,000. Five other NHS Trusts will also receive a share, together with the South Central Ambulance Service.
Improving research delivery
This latest investment will support research within a new NIHR Wessex Experimental Medicine Network.
The equipment it provides will improve access to cutting-edge clinical trials for patients. This includes vaccine trials across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.
The 93 organisations awarded funding across the UK are all part of the NIHR’s wider infrastructure. This includes Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) and Clinical Research Facilities (CRFs), as well as the NIHR’s Clinical Research Network.
Dr Karen Underwood, Director of Research & Development at UHSFT, said:
“We are delighted that Wessex has secured funding for new state-of-the-art equipment.
“It will enable more people from across the region to take part in research supported by our NIHR-funded centres and facilities.
“We look forward to working with regional partners to deliver on this great opportunity.”
State-of-the-art equipment
This funding call is the first of a series that will increase equipment and technology for research.
In Southampton, the funding will pay for four new pieces of equipment. Three of these will boost the NIHR Southampton BRC’s ability to translate scientific discoveries into patient benefit.
First, the Agilent Seahorse CF Pro Analyser will help researchers to measure cell function. The technology will be used in various fields such as ageing, cancer and critical care.
The Scintigraphy workstation will align Southampton with other major centres engaged in liver surgery. This will mean more people can take part in vital clinical trials.
A new DEXA scanner will enable measurement of bone health across the lifecourse. It will increase Southampton’s capacity to support long term follow-up BRC cohort studies.
Southampton's Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) will also get a new Ga-68 generator. This cutting-edge technology will enhance imaging capabilities for experimental cancer medicine research.