Welcome to the Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine

Prof Gordon Ferns 90 x 90  "The Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine was formed in 2006 by combining the research activities of basic science and clinical academic colleagues working within the NHS at 3 hospital sites and the main University campus at Keele. The three Hospital sites comprise the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry and the Haywood Hospital, Stoke on Trent. Research at the University Hospital is consolidated at the Guy Hilton Research Centre, which provides state of the art basic science laboratories for clinically oriented research, and hosts two very successful MSc programmes.

"The Institute aims to improve the health of patients in the UK and elsewhere in the world, by applying knowledge gained from basic science to develop insights into the causes of disease and ways of treating them. We have collaborations across the world, working on the transmission of human disease by insects, and the causes of common conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

"In 2010 we relaunched the thematic areas of research undertaken within the institute, and these now have a translational medicine focus. Within these themes we have colleagues with an international profile for their research that ranges from Bioengineering and the therapeutic use of stem cells to cutting edge diagnostics using novel approaches to identify and measure biomarkers of disease, and the biomechanics of muscle diseasein the elderly .

"The 70 academic and clinical staff in the Institute provide supervision for more than 90 PhD and 45 Master’s students and contribute to the teaching of our undergraduate medical and science students at the University of Keele."

Professor Gordon Ferns MD DSc
Director

International quality research

ISTM_Harpal_at_cabinet_200x233 In the UK Research Assessment Exercise 2008, 90% of the Institute's submitted staff were rated as international quality researchers, with 10% ranked as world-leading. The research facilities were commended as "internationally recognised, excellent standard", specifically noting the University's support for development of the Institute since 2001.

Over a decade of the highest ratings, 5 and 5*, in previous UK Research Assessment Exercises has enabled basic, strategic and applied research to take place in a consistently top quality environment, with clear focus and routes into exploitation in bioscience industries and healthcare.

In the academic year 2009-10, 95% of ISTM's PhD students submitted their thesis within 4 years of study, meeting all national studentship funders' targets.

Research Themes in ISTM

 The Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine bridges the interface between new advances in basic science and technology with medicine and clinical practice.  It successfully integrates Keele University's biomedical research strengths across the Faculties of Health and Natural Sciences.

Ying_Yang_at_cabinet_200x175  ISTM brings together biological scientists, physicists, chemists, engineers, mathematicians and clinicians in a single unit, under four scientific themes:

A complete listing of current Research Areas in ISTM.

 

Research links

ISTM members have active collaborations with universities throughout the UK, and over 35 countries in Europe, USA and the developing world.

Members of the Institute lead national, European and international networks. and participate in fora for peer review and policy making in the clinical and scientific arena. In the EC Framework Programme ISTM has become part of a Network of Excellence in Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell therapies.

The Institute's members also deliver expanding Masters level programmes offering degrees in European Scientific Research Training, Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology, Biomedical Engineering and Cell & Tissue Engineering which attract students from throughout the world.


Research impact

The integration of basic science and technology with clinical medicine within one department enables our research to achieve rapid and effective impact in the treatment of patients. 

Key impact features:

Impact case studies include:
-  Devices for management of fractures in human tibia
-  Magnetic nano-particle-based gene transfection
-  Nanomagnetic cellular actuation for regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy
-  Tissue Engineering - advanced approaches into clinical practice
-  New techniques for mapping and characterization of iron in neurodegenerative diseases
-  Real time analyses of exhaled breath trace gases for clinical diagnosis and monitoring
-  Site-specific genetic engineering of the mosquito genome.
-  Environmentally benign thrips monitoring

Six "spin-out" and closely associated biotechnology and biomedical companies to exploit ISTM research.

ISTM projects involve at any time around 25 companies in technology transfer and clinical trials.

An overview of the Research Institute

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A Powerpoint presentation on the Research Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine