As we wrap up 2024, we want to take a moment to reflect on the past year’s achievements, milestones and stories that have shaped the year here at the University of Brighton.
There’s so much to celebrate – we’ve seen groundbreaking research, community impact and inspiring student success across every area of the university. Continue reading “Looking back on our 2024: A year of innovation, creativity and impact “
Our Moulsecoomb campus open days take place on Saturday 19 October and Saturday 23 November.
A brand new pioneering centre dedicated to improving cancer treatment and patient outcomes has opened today in Sussex. The Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC), draws on the world-class cancer research from experts at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), University of Brighton, University of Sussex and in the NHS.
The groundbreaking centre aims to provide an environment where researchers, clinicians and patients can share resources, insight, experience and expertise to improve cancer treatments and patient outcomes.
The team behind the centre say that the venture represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver significant improvements in care for cancer patients and drive further improvements in the life-chances of those diagnosed with cancer – putting people at the forefront of their research
The four co-founders of the centre are: Dr Simon Mitchell, Reader in Cancer Systems Biology at BSMS; Professor Melanie Flint, Professor of Stress and Cancer Research at the University of Brighton; Professor Timothy Humphrey, Professor of Translational Research and Genome Stability at the University of Sussex; and Clinical Oncologist Dr Duncan Gilbert of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr Simon Mitchell said: “From day one, this will be a true collaboration. As a team, with a united vision to improve care for patients, we are greater than the sum of our parts. Cancer doesn’t recognise institutional boundaries, and to beat cancer we must cross those boundaries too.”
Professor Timothy Humphrey said: “Almost everyone knows someone affected by cancer and we need their perspective to provide valuable input into our research direction. Our central goal is improved patient outcomes through supporting world-leading collaborative research.”
Professor Melanie Flint said: “We want to make sure Sussex is the best place in the country to do cancer research, so that the future leaders want to work here and stay here. The Sussex Cancer Research Centre will help attract, mentor, and support, ambitious cancer researchers for the benefit of cancer patients.”
By connecting researchers, patients and clinical partners it is hoped that resources, such as patient samples, will be more readily available. Research within similar areas will be more collaborative, such as the University of Brighton and BSMS work to study the effects of stress on patient’s psychology and on patient’s cells respectively. Resulting findings can then be used to identify potential drug targets to be investigated using the University of Sussex’s drug discovery pipelines. New treatments can then be trialled in collaboration with NHS colleagues and the BSMS Clinical Trials Unit.
Dr Duncan Gilbert, Clinical Oncologist at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “University Hospitals Sussex serves the second largest cancer patient population of any NHS organisation and has plans to move its cancer services to a new purpose-built cancer centre. This, we believe, will facilitate greater interactions with the Sussex Cancer Research Centre, including scientists, clinicians and patients. And, together with our NHS partners, will help our work to improve outcomes alongside prevention, early detection, and improving care and support for those with cancer across Sussex.”
Sussex Health and Care Integrated Care System brings together the universities, NHS in Sussex, local authorities and wider partners with an interest in health and care. It agreed its five year strategy Improving Lives Together which was published last year and which sets out the ambition for how partners will work together to improve health and care outcomes of the Sussex population now and for the future.
At the heart of the SCRC is the involvement of people living with cancer, encouraging them to participate in research through trials, providing input into grant applications, talking to students, and even shaping the research taking place. It is hoped that eventually, this could lead to more patients being able to enroll on clinical trials without leaving the area.
Artist Markus Taylor was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia in 2021 and is a public member of SCRC said: “I am really happy to be part of the new research centre because I know the team is very keen to listen to what people with cancer have to say. The centre is not just about cells, molecules, proteins, it’s not just about us being objects, clients, subjects, patients, it’s about real people living with real disease.
“I hope this centre will help to develop those conversations that are already happening between all those tied together by cancer; the people that have it, the scientists, doctors and consultants – sharing information, sharing knowledge and stories. Let’s talk, let’s share things, let’s move things on. To be part of that is incredible.”
The centre will also benefit the next generation of cancer researchers by giving both undergraduate and postgraduate students at the three institutions the opportunity to get involved as part of their studies with mentoring programmes and a PhD studentship benefitting from the experience of working with a multi-institution and interdisciplinary cancer research centre.
Anybody wishing to know more should go to (www.sussexcancer.org) and click “Get Involved”. There will also be a chance to meet cancer researchers and learn more at events which will be announced through the website.
ENDS
A full interview with Markus Taylor is enclosed as a separate file.
Educational initiatives offered by SCRC include:
Cancer mentoring program: Allowing experienced researchers to mentor more junior researchers across institutions to provide advice and training.
Research grants: Four ‘pump priming’ grants worth £15,000 each donated by BSMS, University of Brighton, University of Sussex and the Sussex Cancer Fund will be used to build collaborations across multiple institutions with the SCRC. It is hoped that this will lead to larger multi-site grant submissions.
PhD studentship: A three-year fully funded PhD studentship funded by BSMS and the School of Life Sciences at University of Sussex to encourage research excellence and solidify a new multi-institution collaboration.
If you’re in year 12 or your first year of 6th form college, you have the chance to try out what it’s like to study at university at our on-campus, residential summer schools.
Summer schools run from 9-12 July, and you can apply now. You’ll have opportunities to explore a variety of sessions during the day, giving you a taste of different courses, social activities in the evening, and overnight stays in our halls of residence – all supported by our undergraduate students at the University of Brighton.
Continue reading “Try out university life at our summer schools”
University researchers have contributed to a study into innovative carbon beads aimed at reducing bad bacteria and inflammation linked to serious disease.
University of Brighton researchers have contributed to a study into innovative carbon beads aimed at reducing bad bacteria and inflammation linked to liver cirrhosis and serious disease.
The study, led by researchers at University College London (UCL) and involving 17 organisations, is published in Gut today, and found that the carbon beads were effective in restoring gut health.
The beads, taken orally and known as CARBALIVE, could have a significant impact on the treatment of patients with conditions such as liver disease, irritable bowel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.
Continue reading “Carbon beads could reduce liver disease progression caused by unhealthy gut bacteria”
I have learnt many facts and experiments from various sciences as well as the process of applying to university and what it maybe like. I found the experiments enjoyable and the talks on university and post 16 options useful
Lucas
The university outreach team organised a Science Saturday Club, which ran over four Saturday mornings earlier in the year. 27, Sussex-based year 10 and 11 students from schools as far away as Littlehampton and Hastings attended the club held on Saturday mornings, which combined lectures and lab sessions run by academics and PhD students interspersed with information and guidance about post-16 options, a tour of our Moulsecoomb campus and plenty of opportunity to engage with three Applied Science student ambassadors supporting the club. The club, which was free to attend, aimed to show students what studying science at university is like.
Continue reading “Science Saturday Club for students in Years 10 and 11 at the University of Brighton “
University of Brighton graduate and leading ecotoxicologist, Wulan Koagouw, has won a Science and Sustainability Award for her pioneering research in Indonesia.
Wulan was honoured at the Study UK Alumni Awards in Indonesia for her research into environmental sustainability and water quality in her home region, Jakarta, which she started as part of her PhD in Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at University of Brighton.
As an ecotoxicologist, Wulan’s research focuses on the harmful effects of toxic pollutants, such as man-made synthetic chemicals and their by-products, on the environment.
Continue reading “Brighton graduate receives top award for her impactful science research”
Hi I’m Jade and I’m a first year studying Biological Sciences BSc(Hons) and here’s what I think of the course so far…
I chose this course as I’ve been interested in biology for many years, and I like that this course specifically allows you to cater it more specifically to yourself with how many option modules there are for later years. I chose Brighton as I’ve lived rather locally my whole life, and I’m enjoying being able to study whilst also still getting to live at home.
Continue reading “My course so far”
Meet Bamidele Farinre, a biomedical science graduate who has risen impressively to the top of her profession, including a “Biomedical Scientist of the Year” Award.
The Brighton Effect is that ripple of energy that starts during your time with us at Brighton, which you take with you for the rest of your life and career. There is no greater example than Bamidele, whose passion for science only grew during her time at the University of Brighton and has now gone on to the top of her field with multiple award-nominations and accolades and contributing pioneering work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue reading “Award-winning and trailblazing Biomedical Scientist”
Our applicant events are a great way to learn more about your course after you have applied, to get to know us better and make sure we are the right university for you.
To book you’ll need your University of Brighton student number which you’ll find on any emails you’ve received from us about your application.
Online applicant subject q+a sessions are for students who have applied to Brighton – you don’t need to hold an offer to attend. These sessions provide a chance to ask questions to academics and current students before attending one of our on campus applicant days.
If you have applied to study on one of our biology, ecology, biomedical science, geography or environment courses join us online on Wednesday 21 February.
Your chance to check out the campus and also attend talks and tasters from your subject academics, our current students, student support services and have a tour of our accommodation. .
If you’ve applied to one of our pharmacy, biology, ecology, biomedical science, geography or environment courses courses we have two upcoming campus events at the Moulsecoomb campus:
We look forward to seeing you!