This research cluster brings together several key areas, including psychological research on health, wellbeing and behaviour change, and biomedical research on redox biochemistry, neurodegeneration, biomarker development, early placental development, tumour invasion, autophagy and other hallmarks of ageing. The research cluster supports the Biomedical and Clinical Science academic theme by providing a community for interdisciplinary groups of researchers aiming to improve understanding of both healthy and unhealthy ageing.
Our aims
The aim of the research cluster is to contribute to a better understanding of the ageing process, including what healthy ageing consists of across the lifespan, and the mechanisms and processes that cause unhealthy ageing, including neurodegeneration. The cluster has a special focus on processes and mechanisms of healthy and unhealthy development, and it is dedicated to finding ways to help people grow and develop more healthily. The cluster also provides a focused but multidisciplinary community for groups of researchers conducting related research.
We conduct research on health, wellbeing and behaviour change in order to generate the evidence needed to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages. This group embodies a range of expertise, including interview and survey methods, and running trials of novel behavioural interventions. The group are currently addressing health inequalities through UKRI-funded work that makes use of cultural assets such as music and art, building on successful singing programmes that have supported individuals with mental health difficulties. The group also works with carers’ organisations to mitigate the stresses of caregiving and work on solutions to ensure high levels of support for those living with Alzheimer’s disease.
The team of researchers also conduct research on promoting healthy ageing by investigating the mechanisms behind the hallmarks of ageing using behavioural studies, genetics, imaging, omics and biochemical techniques. Some of the research involves clinical samples of people with age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, chronic kidney disease and arthritis, including clinical trials of biomedical and psychological interventions.
We use ageing models of neurodegeneration such as neuronal cells, iPSC and drosophila melanogaster to explore and understand different hallmarks of ageing, including mitochondria function, nutrient sensing, cellular senescence and autophagy. Some members of the team are also looking at the pathophysiological influences of environmental pollution on early placental development. Through our collaborative network, we aim to gain more understanding of ageing to aid the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, prognostic markers and early diagnostic markers.
The group of researchers who conduct research on health, wellbeing and behaviour change are led by Professor David Sheffield and Dr Peter Macaulay.
“My research aims to understand the impact of stress on health, wellbeing and performance. I use a range of methodologies (epidemiological, experimental, psychophysiological, interviews). I am particularly interested in alleviating the effects of stress and pain through connecting to nature, connecting to one another, and connecting to oneself via compassion, mindfulness, the arts and music.” - Professor David Sheffield
“My research expertise on cyberbullying, online safety, and bullying interventions informs educational practice and policy, optimising the social, mental, and educational prospects of individuals within the educational sector. The implications of my research will develop the wellbeing and confidence of teachers to identify and manage cyberbullying more effectively. It will also develop the wellbeing and confidence of young people, as evidenced by our anti-bullying intervention.” Dr Peter Macaulay
The biomedical researchers in the cluster are led by Dr Shivadas Sivasubramaniam and Dr Vadivel Parthsarathy with Professor Myra Conway, Roshita Edwards and Bilal Malik.
Our research
Comparing placental and tumour invasions
A team of researchers led by Dr Shivadas Sivasubramaniam has developed in vitro trophoblast models to compare the parallels between placental and tumour invasion and published several manuscripts in this field. This research was carried out in collaboration with the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre of Nottingham Trent University and the Medical University of Graz, Austria. The researchers are currently looking at the pathophysiological influences on environmental pollution on early placental development using in vitro 3-D cell culture system, with a particular interest on the combined effects of carbon monoxide and PM2.5 (particulate matter) on developing early extra villous trophoblast cells.
Managing painful chronic conditions
Our research has raised greater awareness of the suffering associated with pain, leading to changes in care practices internationally that ensure people can live with their pain more effectively. The work has shaped pain management programmes in both the UK and USA, especially for people with haemophilia, patients with sickle cell disease and people with back pain. We are also working with people affected by kidney failure to develop ways to help them adjust to the demands of renal dialysis.
Find out more about research on managing painful chronic conditions
Is autophagy genetically modulated?
Research by Bilal Malik is exploring how autophagy, a mechanism by which cells maintain a healthy internal environment by removing waste and cellular debris, is genetically modulated. Bilal Malik’s research uses Drosophila and cell culture models, and employs methods ranging from behavioural studies, genetics, confocal imaging and biochemical techniques. The research is also seeking to identify what pathways are affected by any modulating genes in the hope that understanding these pathways can pave the way for development of therapeutic interventions to help people predisposed to development of neurodegenerative diseases. Deposition of cell debris such as protein aggregates is one of the main causes of neuronal dysfunction seen in several neuronal diseases including Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Our work on people with brain injury is focused on helping the families of traumatic brain injury patients led by Dr Charlie Whiffin, and developing psychological therapy for couples to increase their self-esteem and improve their relationships led by Dr Natasha Felles.
Dr Charlie Whiffin said: “I am most proud of the meta-synthesis on the family experience of traumatic brain injury for a number of reasons. The study was really hard, analysing and synthesising all the qualitative research, but it was also creative, thought provoking and engaging. Feedback from the reviewers was also very generous saying the paper had the potential to make a profound impact in practice.”
Find out more about Dr Whiffin's research journey
Join us
Health, wellbeing and behaviour change research
If you would like to join this research group, collaborate on research, or find out more, please email the research group lead Professor David Sheffield or the deputy lead Dr Peter Macaulay.
Biomedical Science research
If you would like to join this research group, collaborate on research or find out more, please email Shivas or Vadival.
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