NSMI awards £58,000 to support local medical research
The North Staffordshire Medical Institute (NSMI) awarded almost £58,000 to three local medical research projects, supporting studies into cancer treatment, heart disease and muscle wasting in older people.
The funding was awarded to research teams based at Keele University and University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) following a competitive application and review process.
A panel of medical experts assessed proposals from across a range of disciplines before selecting three projects considered to have strong scientific potential and the ability to contribute to future improvements in healthcare.
Supporting high-quality local research
The funding decisions were overseen by then Institute Chairman Professor Shaughn O’Brien, alongside specialists from a range of medical and scientific backgrounds.
The panel included gastroenterologist Dr Adam Farmer, clinical biochemist Professor Richard Strange and Professor of Biomedical Imaging Melissa Mather.
Applications were assessed on factors including scientific quality, the importance of the diseases being investigated and the research experience of the teams involved.
Together, the three successful projects received £58,435 in funding.
£18,450 for research into treatment-resistant Cancer
Dr Alan Richardson, based at Keele University’s Institute of Science and Technology in Medicine, received £18,450 to investigate cancers that had become resistant to chemotherapy.
His research focused on finding ways to restore the sensitivity of cancer cells to paclitaxel, a chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of several forms of cancer.
The project aimed to better understand the biological mechanisms behind treatment resistance and explore potential approaches that could make chemotherapy effective again.
£20,000 to investigate the heart condition ARVC
A second research team, led by Dr Vinoj George, received £20,000 to investigate Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
ARVC is an inherited heart condition that can cause abnormal heart rhythms and, in some cases, sudden cardiac death.
The research aimed to understand why the condition affects individuals with different levels of severity and identify biological factors that could help clinicians recognise those at greatest risk.
£19,985 for research into muscle wasting
The third award of £19,985 was made to Dr Adam Sharples and his research team for a project examining muscle wasting and frailty in older people.
Their work investigated genetic and biological changes that occur when muscles weaken following periods of inactivity, injury or surgery.
The longer-term goal was to identify potential approaches that could help older people maintain muscle strength, mobility and independence.
Investing in the future of medical research
The awards were supported through a combination of public donations, charitable bequests and income generated through conferences and room hire at the Institute’s Hartshill Road premises.
Funding early-stage research can provide scientists and clinicians with the opportunity to test new ideas, gather initial evidence and develop projects capable of attracting larger grants.
The three awards demonstrated the Institute’s long-standing commitment to supporting medical research in North Staffordshire and encouraging projects with the potential to benefit patients both locally and further afield.
This commitment to medical and healthcare research continues to form an important part of the work associated with the Wade Charitable Foundation and North Staffordshire Medical Institute.