Local research with global impact showcased at third annual Research Symposium

The University of Northampton’s Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences (PALS) recently hosted its third Annual Research Symposium and placed its research and knowledge exchange projects under the microscope.

The annual symposium brought academics from the Centre together to share research findings, celebrate success and provide invaluable opportunities for networking and collaboration.

The event offers the chance to celebrate industry-leading research projects with local, national and international impact, such as investigations into the effects of a co-designed static training programme to reduce blood pressure (by Graduate Teaching Assistant in Hypertension Exercise Alix Clarke), development of a new gene therapy to treat inherited ataxia (by Professor of Molecular Medicine Karen Anthony), and discussion of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Gene Products and prognosis in head and neck cancer (by Professor of Molecular Medicine Lee Machado).

The event took place on Friday 13 June, with around 50 attendees presenting their research findings, discussing future research bids and networking with colleagues across the physical activity and life science fields.

Specific activities which took placed included:

·       Discussions and networking around current research projects underway at the University of Northampton, including biotechnological advancements in regenerative medicine to treat type one diabetes; harnessing the power of yeast genetics to understand neurodegeneration; and exploring the value Northamptonshire people place on their green spaces.

·       A number of snapshot discussions took place to ignite debate and feedback on research topics including the importance of creating a safeguarding culture in gymnastics, a brief exploration of how life began and why we die, as well as novel biomarkers in multiple myeloma.

·       Professor of Environmental Physiology at the University of Roehampton and founder of the Science Communication Academy, Lewis Halsey gave a keynote speech on exploring energy, heat and movement in humans and other animals as well as a workshop to energise academic grant writing efforts.

This research symposium further offered the opportunity to celebrate the successes achieved by the Centre, which included bidding activity totalling nearly £2 million, publishing more than 40 research outputs across the biosciences, sports medicine and social sciences.

After the event, Professor of Molecular Medicine Karen Anthony: “It was fantastic to see so many academic researchers and technical staff from PALS and our external partners discuss their industry-leading projects and reflect on the successes we’ve collectively achieved throughout the past year.

“Opportunities such as today’s symposium are hugely important to get together and celebrate our collective research successes.

“Through engaging in positive discussion and networking, these events facilitate new research collaborations, which may be the basis for future, globally-impactive research taking place at the University of Northampton.

The Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences (PALS), located within the Faculty of Art, Science, and Technology, brings together researchers examining multidisciplinary physical activity interventions in sedentary, active and clinical populations, and examines the microbiological, genetic and molecular aspects of disease progression to target national and global challenges to health.

Find out more about ongoing research projects, publications and partners within the Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences (PALS) via the University of Northampton’s website.