Health Research Southampton

27/08/2026

🌟 Improving care for our patients through research

At University Hospital Southampton, our Research Leaders Programme is helping healthcare professionals drive real benefits for patients.

From improving the lives of young people with kidney disease to developing virtual stroke assessments that could help patients receive life-saving treatment faster, our future research leaders are making a difference every day.

The programme gives staff dedicated time and support to develop research that improves care, outcomes and experiences for patients now and in the future.

Read how three of our research leaders are helping to put patients first, work together and always improve: 👇
🔗 https://research.uhs.nhs.uk/news/southamptons-future-research-leaders-drive-better-care-for-patients

20/08/2026

Researchers across Wessex will soon benefit from new medical research technology after a funding boost – the region’s first full-spectrum flow cytometry analyser.

Flow cytometry is a powerful technique that can rapidly analyse and sort millions of cells.

A successful bid at the University of Southampton will establish a regional hub for advanced flow cytometry analysis. This will be located at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust’s Southampton General Hospital.

The University's Flow Cytometry Core Facility has secured £388,000 from the BBSRC for the new equipment. It will significantly expand research capability in the South, providing access to the technology for researchers in Wessex from academia, healthcare and industry.

Read more: https://research.uhs.nhs.uk/news/funding-boost-brings-powerful-new-medical-research-technology-to-southampton

18/08/2026

What if AI could help personalise treatment for breast cancer?

Southampton researchers have developed a powerful AI tool that reveals previously invisible patterns inside breast cancers.

CenSegNet is an open-source AI platform created by researchers at the University of Southampton. It can analyse hundreds of thousands of cells in tumour samples with unprecedented speed and precision.

Working with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, the team have now used this tool to analyse samples from patients with breast cancer.

This has revealed new insights into how tiny structures in a cell called centrosomes change as the tumours grow, spread and evolve.

The technology could help clinicians identify high-risk patients. It could also enable them to predict how breast cancer might progress and deliver more targeted treatments.

Read more: https://research.uhs.nhs.uk/news/ai-reveals-hidden-patterns-inside-breast-cancer

12/08/2026

Helping people fully recover after intensive care 🩵

Meet Andrew Bates, a research fellow at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Southampton, who is working to improve life after intensive care for patients and their families.

Have you spotted Andrew on BBC and ITV this week sharing encouraging findings for a specialist type of talking therapy? 👀📺

Andrew is supported by the UHS Research Leaders Programme.

Watch him explain his research in just 30 seconds ⏱️

10/08/2026

Fewer than one in five women now take folic acid supplements before pregnancy 🤰

Researchers at the University of Southampton and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Southampton are warning that, unless action is taken, falling use could slow progress in reducing preventable conditions like spina bifida.

Folic acid is a form of vitamin B9. It plays a vital role in helping a baby's brain and spinal cord develop during the earliest weeks of pregnancy.

Taking a daily folic acid supplement before pregnancy and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy can reduce the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

Dr Danielle Schoenaker said: “Taking folic acid before pregnancy is one of the simplest and most effective steps women can take to support a healthy start for their baby. It is therefore worrying to see the number of women taking supplements before pregnancy continuing to fall.”

Read more: https://research.uhs.nhs.uk/news/falling-folic-acid-supplement-uptake-threatens-progress-on-childrens-health-experts-warn

10/08/2026

Surviving intensive care is only the beginning of recovery.

Every year, around 200,000 people survive a stay in intensive care in the UK, yet many continue to face the hidden impact of trauma long after they leave hospital.

A new University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust led study has found promising evidence that EMDR therapy could help people experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms after critical illness.

The EMERALD study was supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The research was shaped alongside partners, including Hazel Southam, whose lived experience is helping improve care for future intensive care survivors.

📺 Watch Hazel share her story on BBC South Today and ITV Meridian

Read more: https://research.uhs.nhs.uk/news/research-brings-hope-for-intensive-care-survivors-experiencing-post-traumatic-stress

06/08/2026

🔎 News quiz! What links 'resurrection plants', global vaccines and Southampton, and has been making headlines today?

Read this excellent report from BBC News to discover how health research in our city could unlock benefits for global health, vaccine access and environmental sustainability 🌍

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Scientists have kept vaccines stable at room temperature for a year, which could transform global vaccination.

06/08/2026

Did you know that up to half of vaccines are wasted globally each year? 🌍

A groundbreaking vaccine trial at University Hospital Southampton could help make vaccines available to millions more people worldwide.

The new vaccine, which protects against tetanus and diphtheria, can be stored without a fridge for at least two years while still working effectively. That means it could be much easier to deliver to remote areas, reduce vaccine waste, and lower the environmental impact of keeping vaccines cold.

The world-first trial was led by Professor Saul Faust from UHS and the University of Southampton, who is director of the NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Southampton.

Watch for this research in the media today, including on BBC News and Sky News.

Health and Social Care Minister Diana Johnson said: “This pioneering research demonstrates how British innovation is helping to tackle some of the biggest challenges in global healthcare, and providing life-saving breakthroughs for use around the world.”

🔗 Read more: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/whats-new/press-releases/fridge-free-vaccine-shows-promise-for-reaching-millions-more-people-worldwide

31/07/2026

🌟 Celebrating a decade of building research careers and improve patient care

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Southampton Academy of Research (SoAR) at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust.

SoAR supports health professionals to explore and pursue a career that incorporates health-related research. They offer one-to-one advice, training and events, as well as managing the UHS Research Leaders Programme.

🎉 In recognition of this 10-year milestone, a special event was held at UHS's Heartbeat Education Centre to reflect on the academy's work and celebrate staff engaged in research.

The event featured a keynote address from Emeritus Professor Alison Richardson and a discussion with the leadership team who originally championed its creation.

Here's to the next decade of empowering research careers, nurturing future research leaders, and improving care through innovation and discovery 🚀

Learn more about SoAR 👉 https://www.soar-southampton.org/

30/07/2026