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Challenges

Eliminate Pain from Endometriosis

Endometriosis is the growth of tissue like the uterine lining (endometrium) outside the uterus, usually within the pelvic cavity as ‘endometriosis lesions’. The result is chronic pain, infertility and diminished quality of life - 190 million women world wide are affected.

Endometriosis is currently diagnosed by invasive surgery and is treated by surgical removal of lesions or with drugs that suppress sex hormones. Sadly, in many women symptoms recur after surgery and available medical treatments have undesirable side-effects and are contraceptive. New non-invasive diagnostic approaches and treatments for endometriosis are desperately needed

Erin recently shared her research on a Podcast with Warwick PhD student Eleanor Harrison who runs the Youterus podcast, Listen to the interview here on her latest endometriosis research.

Challenges

Improving Fertility Outcomes in IVF

Improve Assisted Reproduction

According to WHO estimates, one in six people experience infertility in their lifetime. The main strategy for fertility treatment is assisted reproduction, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF). In this process, oocytes are collected from the ovaries and then mixed with sperm to form embryos. These are cultured outside the body and transferred to the patient around day 5 of development. Just in 2021, 55,000 patients had treatment in fertility centres in the UK, and the numbers are growing every year. While very successful in general, the IVF livebirth rate per embryo transfer is around 30%. Every cycle of treatment comes with a great financial and emotional cost for the couples: the NHS funding is limited, and the procedure is a physical and emotional burden, especially if it ends up with failure. Improving the outcomes of assisted reproduction procedures is key to improve patients’ experience, which can be approached by addressing the most common causes for treatment failure.

The abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, known as aneuploidy, is a leading cause of IVF failure, as well as infertility, pregnancy loss or developmental syndromes such as Down’s (three copies of chromosome 21). Aneuploidy most often arises from the oocyte (the egg cell), and the risk of abnormal chromosome numbers increases as the women age. This is because oocytes are formed early in development and their chromosomes have to be maintained until the decision to start a family. With the average age of women at first birth increasing, this increases the need for assisted reproduction for older patients. Errors can also occur in an early embryo, causing a fraction of cells to have a different chromosome number from others. Such embryos are known as mosaics. The implications of mosaic aneuploidy for embryo development are yet to be fully understood.

Challenge Leads

Aleksandra ByrskaLink opens in a new window

Dr. Geraldine HartshorneLink opens in a new window

Challenges

Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health, as it makes infections more difficult to treat and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. Drug resistant microbes have caused a significant increase in the number of infection-related deaths and have severely impacted healthcare systems worldwide.

AMR is a complex problem that spans across disciplines. Better surveillance and tracking of infections, discovering new effective drugs, developing sensitive diagnostics and efficacious vaccines, along with policy development and social education are all essential in combatting AMR. Interdisciplinary solutions are hence crucial in successfully addressing this threat.

We have a community of researchers across different disciplines at UoW active in the area of AMR research. The Warwick Antimicrobial Interdisciplinary Centre (WAMIC)brings expertise from across the University together to develop cross-disciplinary solutions to AMR. The Sir Howard Dalton Centre conducts interdisciplinary, cross-scale mechanistic enzymology with a focus upon translation and science policy to help tackle AMR. The Warwick Antimicrobial Screening Facility is primed to aid in the discovery of new antimicrobial and anti-fungal treatments.

Breakthroughs:

Drug discovery: Our research encompassing cutting edge enzymology in vitro, and in vivo, structural approaches in silico has led to several discoveries of new drug targets and novel drugs. We are also exploring innovative approaches like phage therapy and nanoparticles for effective delivery of available drugs to intracellular bacteria and biofilms.

Understanding pathogen biology and host interactions: Our current research utilises cutting-edge molecular and cellular technologies including advanced microscopy to study bacterial physiology and drug targets, and mechanisms of drug resistance. We employ novel in vitro and in vivo models of infection to study complex host-pathogen and microbiome interactions.

Challenge Lead(s)

Dr. Meera Unnikrishnan

Prof. David Roper

Challenges

Address Global Health Inequalities in Infectious Disease Management

Infectious diseases disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare resources are limited. The challenge is to reduce these health disparities by improving access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Challenge Lead

Philip Anyanwu

Challenges

Accelerate Vaccine Development and Immunotherapy

The development and implementation of vaccines is essential to prevent infectious diseases and control new outbreaks. Immunotherapeutics holds immense promise in the treatment of other intractable diseases such as cancer.

Currently vaccine and immunotherapy development can be costly and time consuming. Accelerating the development and implementation of broadly protective vaccines will allow for improved intervention to target variable and hard to treat pathogens and protect populations worldwide. The development of novel immunotherapeutics promises to provide treatments for current intractable diseases.

Breakthroughs:

We currently have research on going in the areas of (1) nucleic acid and drug delivery system development spanning polymer technology of molecular syringes, and (2) the next generation broadly protective vaccines RNA viruses.

For the last decade we have provided advice to the Department of Health and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on the cost-effectiveness of vaccination policies. Our work was instrumental in the introduction of gender-neutral vaccination against Human Papillomavirus, and in the targeting and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines.

Challenge Lead

Craig Thompson

Challenges

Cardiac Arrest Survival Challenge 1

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Breakthroughs:

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Challenges

Cardiac Arrest Survival Challenge 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient. Odio ut sem nulla pharetra diam sit amet nisl. Sagittis eu volutpat odio facilisis. Amet consectetur adipiscing elit pellentesque habitant morbi. Risus ultricies tristique nulla aliquet enim. Turpis massa tincidunt dui ut ornare lectus sit amet est. Sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing. Eu volutpat odio facilisis mauris sit amet massa vitae. Montes nascetur ridiculus mus mauris vitae ultricies leo integer malesuada. Vulputate sapien nec sagittis aliquam malesuada bibendum arcu vitae. Morbi leo urna molestie at. Arcu dui vivamus arcu felis bibendum. Viverra nibh cras pulvinar mattis nunc sed blandit libero. Quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus. Eros donec ac odio tempor orci dapibus ultrices.

Breakthroughs:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient. Odio ut sem nulla pharetra diam sit amet nisl. Sagittis eu volutpat odio facilisis. Amet consectetur adipiscing elit pellentesque habitant morbi. Risus ultricies tristique nulla aliquet enim. Turpis massa tincidunt dui ut ornare lectus sit amet est. Sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing. Eu volutpat odio facilisis mauris sit amet massa vitae. Montes nascetur ridiculus mus mauris vitae ultricies leo integer malesuada. Vulputate sapien nec sagittis aliquam malesuada bibendum arcu vitae. Morbi leo urna molestie at. Arcu dui vivamus arcu felis bibendum. Viverra nibh cras pulvinar mattis nunc sed blandit libero. Quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus. Eros donec ac odio tempor orci dapibus ultrices.

Challenges

Cardiac Arrest Survival Challenge 3

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient. Odio ut sem nulla pharetra diam sit amet nisl. Sagittis eu volutpat odio facilisis. Amet consectetur adipiscing elit pellentesque habitant morbi. Risus ultricies tristique nulla aliquet enim. Turpis massa tincidunt dui ut ornare lectus sit amet est. Sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing. Eu volutpat odio facilisis mauris sit amet massa vitae. Montes nascetur ridiculus mus mauris vitae ultricies leo integer malesuada. Vulputate sapien nec sagittis aliquam malesuada bibendum arcu vitae. Morbi leo urna molestie at. Arcu dui vivamus arcu felis bibendum. Viverra nibh cras pulvinar mattis nunc sed blandit libero. Quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus. Eros donec ac odio tempor orci dapibus ultrices.

Breakthroughs:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient. Odio ut sem nulla pharetra diam sit amet nisl. Sagittis eu volutpat odio facilisis. Amet consectetur adipiscing elit pellentesque habitant morbi. Risus ultricies tristique nulla aliquet enim. Turpis massa tincidunt dui ut ornare lectus sit amet est. Sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing. Eu volutpat odio facilisis mauris sit amet massa vitae. Montes nascetur ridiculus mus mauris vitae ultricies leo integer malesuada. Vulputate sapien nec sagittis aliquam malesuada bibendum arcu vitae. Morbi leo urna molestie at. Arcu dui vivamus arcu felis bibendum. Viverra nibh cras pulvinar mattis nunc sed blandit libero. Quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus. Eros donec ac odio tempor orci dapibus ultrices.

Challenges

Cardiac Arrest Survival Challenge 4

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient. Odio ut sem nulla pharetra diam sit amet nisl. Sagittis eu volutpat odio facilisis. Amet consectetur adipiscing elit pellentesque habitant morbi. Risus ultricies tristique nulla aliquet enim. Turpis massa tincidunt dui ut ornare lectus sit amet est. Sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing. Eu volutpat odio facilisis mauris sit amet massa vitae. Montes nascetur ridiculus mus mauris vitae ultricies leo integer malesuada. Vulputate sapien nec sagittis aliquam malesuada bibendum arcu vitae. Morbi leo urna molestie at. Arcu dui vivamus arcu felis bibendum. Viverra nibh cras pulvinar mattis nunc sed blandit libero. Quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus. Eros donec ac odio tempor orci dapibus ultrices.

Breakthroughs:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient. Odio ut sem nulla pharetra diam sit amet nisl. Sagittis eu volutpat odio facilisis. Amet consectetur adipiscing elit pellentesque habitant morbi. Risus ultricies tristique nulla aliquet enim. Turpis massa tincidunt dui ut ornare lectus sit amet est. Sed adipiscing diam donec adipiscing. Eu volutpat odio facilisis mauris sit amet massa vitae. Montes nascetur ridiculus mus mauris vitae ultricies leo integer malesuada. Vulputate sapien nec sagittis aliquam malesuada bibendum arcu vitae. Morbi leo urna molestie at. Arcu dui vivamus arcu felis bibendum. Viverra nibh cras pulvinar mattis nunc sed blandit libero. Quam adipiscing vitae proin sagittis nisl rhoncus. Eros donec ac odio tempor orci dapibus ultrices.

Challenges

Development of unique diagnostics for early detection, prevention and monitoring of infectious diseases

Appropriate patient care, disease surveillance and effective public health responses all hinge on accurate and timely diagnosis of infection or disease. As a major driver of health and economic outcomes, diagnostics therefore represent a core pillar of global health security and universal health coverage, as well as being a fundamental component of functioning health systems.

Breakthroughs:

At Warwick, in partnership with UCHW, we have a programme of work which aims to develop novel diagnostics tests to improve the early and accurate detection of pathogens and diseases. Examples include the use of bacteriophages, E-Nose technology, genomics, waste-water surveillance, as well as the development of new lateral flow and PCR-based tests.

Challenge Lead

Nicole Robb

Challenges

Develop practical solutions for prevention and control of infectious disease using one health approaches to improve global health

Infectious diseases disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, exacerbated by limited healthcare infrastructure and resources and infrastructure are limited. The challenge is to reduce these health disparities by using research to inform policy and improve access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Understanding the risk to global health posed by these infections requires a holistic approach that considers all the involved populations and the potential routes of transmission. A one health approach encourages working across human, animal and environmental health to improve global health. We have researchers involved in supporting disease elimination and eradication goals, combatting neglected tropical disease and conducting field studies across the world.

Breakthroughs:

Healthcare in low resource settings: We have developed REmote Consulting in Healthcare (REaCH) training to optimise healthcare delivery the limited digital/telecoms infrastructure in Africa to deliver a safe and trustworthy healthcare equivalent of face-to-face consultations in low resource settings, allowing for continued care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have also worked with international partners to shorten multidrug resistant tuberculosis treatments providing cost-effective alternatives in low resource settings.

Neglected Tropical Diseases: We have supported disease elimination efforts through modelling methodologies and analysis of elimination programmes against Gambiense Human African Trypanosomiasis, and Yaws. We have also supported the WHOs goals for eradication of Lymphatic filariasis through modelling which has led to discovery for enhanced drug administration methods.

Animal Disease and Zoonosis: We have developed novel approaches to prevent disease which have been used in field studies internationally. Our tools are able to capture and model the spread of livestock diseases and has ultimately aided efforts to control of Avian influenza (Bangladesh and Thailand) and Foot and Mouth disease (Denmark and USA) in rural and farming communities. Field studies in collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Health have disrupted zoonotic transfer of the parasite Leishmania infantum through its vectors, which is expected to lower the infectious transfer to dogs and humans thus reducing the incidence of visceral leishmaniasis.

Challenge Lead

Mike Tildesley

Challenges

Addressing Persistent Gaps in Pregnancy Care and Outcomes

Recurrent pregnancy loss is a deeply distressing experience for women and their partners, with a significant emotional and psychological impact. Many affected individuals describe ongoing grief, anxiety, and a lack of adequate support, emphasising the importance of accessible, compassionate, and consistent patient care.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and abnormal fetal growth, including macrosomia, remain major challenges in maternal and neonatal health. Together, these issues highlight the need for improved clinical support and research that prioritises patient experience alongside long-term maternal and child wellbeing.

Challenges

Preventing Pregnancy Loss

Recurrent pregnancy loss is a devastating condition for many women and their partners. In many cases, repeated pregnancy loss reflects failure of the embryo to be sustained within the endometrial lining. Despite its prevalence, the underlying biological mechanisms driving recurrent pregnancy loss remain incompletely understood. Beyond the physical consequences, each successive loss can increase the likelihood of further losses as well as substantially increasing the risk of long-term psychological morbidity, including anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Challenges

Innovating Testosterone Therapy for Post-Menopausal Women

There has been a lack of awareness and effective treatments for the symptoms of menopause, coupled with false misconceptions that have been mistakenly associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Although menopause, and perimenopause, is typically associated with decreased oestrogen levels, testosterone levels in women also decline with age, which may result in some post-menopausal women suffering from low libido (hypoactive sexual desire disorder) as well as other symptoms associated with both natural and surgical menopause.

Testosterone replacement products can help to address this. However, there are no approved testosterone products for women in the UK and treatment is usually by off label use of products for men and mostly via private medical treatment.

Breakthroughs:

• Medherant (Warwick spin-out) have harnessed their pioneering transdermal TEPI (transdermal drug delivery technology) patch technology to develop a testosterone patch for post-menopausal women which is being tested through a Phase 1 clinical trial in London, UK. Transdermal patches offer an alternative route of administration for drugs that are not ideally suited to oral administration, or are required to act over long time periods at constant delivery rates.
• Preliminary results of the Phase 1 study of Medherant’s patch demonstrate its ability to achieve blood testosterone levels similar to those in pre-menopausal women.
• Further clinical studies are planned, including a study to investigate other potential benefits of testosterone therapy. The success of Phase 1 is a significant step towards the company developing a licensed product and addressing post-menopausal women’s healthcare and wellbeing needs – a severely neglected area.

Challenge Lead

David HaddletonLink opens in a new window

Challenges

Harnessing the Vaginal Microbiome for Therapeutic Applications

The vaginal microbiome is a critical regulator of women’s reproductive health. Disruptions to vaginal microbial homeostasis (vaginal dysbiosis) are associated with an increased risk of viral and bacterial genital infections, as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and miscarriage. Notably, Black women experience a disproportionately higher prevalence of vaginal dysbiosis and related reproductive disorders, contributing to persistent racial health disparities.

Despite its clinical importance, the mechanisms underlying the protective functions of a healthy vaginal microbiome remain incompletely understood. Elucidating these beneficial host–microbiome interactions will enable the development of novel, targeted, and mechanistically informed therapeutic strategies.

Challenge Leads

Alexiane DecoutLink opens in a new window

Challenges

Improving Care and Tackling Inequalities in Women's Reproductive Health

Challenges

Tackle inequalities and fragmentation in women's reproductive healthcare

Challenge Leads

Dr. Beck TaylorLink opens in a new window

Challenges

Developing a wellbeing census infrastructure to assess and address drivers of poor wellbeing in children and young people

Youth mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and behavioural issues, are on the rise, with significant long-term impacts on educational achievement, employment, and overall quality of life. Research indicates that early intervention is crucial to mitigate these effects, yet access to effective assessment and psychosocial interventions remain limited.

Breakthroughs:

We have developed a wellbeing census in West Midlands schools, a website with psychoeducational interventions (https://breathe-edu.co.uk/) and a co-created a digital app to prevent loneliness by increasing social connections amongst university students. We also work with children with special needs and have a particular expertise in assessing and treating mental health disorders in children with learning disabilities, helping families and professionals to recognise and address their mental health needs.

Challenge Lead

Dr. Helena Tuomainen

Challenges

Reduce the ever-increasing mental health treatment gaps in low and middle-income countries

Mental health treatment gaps are particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resources are scarce, and stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 85% of people with mental health disorders in these regions do not receive treatment.

Breakthroughs:
We are improving access to mental health care and reducing the impact of serious mental disorder outcomes in slums. We are currently developing a screening and intervention programme in schools in different LMICs.

Challenge Leads

Professor Swaran Singh

Challenges

Implement the organisational-level interventions to reduce work stress and improve mental health and wellbeing of the workforce across multiple sectors

Workplace stress is a growing concern across various sectors, leading to increased risk of developing mental health disorders such as depression, decreased productivity, higher turnover rates, and increased healthcare costs.

Breakthroughs:

Our researchers have delivered and evaluated several psychological and digital interventions to improve mental health and productivity in workplaces across the Midlands. Learnings have led to the co-development of novel innovative interventions for hard-to-reach groups such as shift workers with sleep problems who are traditionally excluded from receiving the most evidence-based treatment for insomnia (CBTi). Another hard-to-reach and underserved group are workers within the construction industry where suicide rates are 3 times higher than other sectors. Forming the key research arm within a partnership with industry, government and voluntary sector bodies, we are identifying the unique stressors and relevant interventions to tackle the mental health crisis within construction. We are also co-developing a longitudinal wellbeing survey with NHS workers at a local NHS Trust which will add depth to the standard cross-sectional annual NHS Staff survey and help senior leaders identify what works and what additional provisions are needed to support staff wellbeing.

Challenge Leads

Dr. Carla Toro

Challenges

Improving the effectiveness and delivery of mental health care and developing an evidence base for safe and effective digitalisation

Mental health problems are widespread in the UK and internationally and affect people throughout the life-course. Service demand and pressures are increasing. Challenges such as inequalities in access to care across social groups and poor experience of care remain. We are tackling key challenges for mental health services and policies such as: mental health inequalities, social isolation, family burden, self-harm prevention and delivery of acute care under legal frameworks (i.e. Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act).

Breakthroughs:
We are pioneering the development of an evidence base for AI-assisted interventions within mental health services. Our research and innovations are developed and carried out through rigorous and inclusive co-development and evaluation processes involving multidisciplinary collaborations and people with lived experience.

Challenge Leads

Professor Domenico Giacco

Challenges

Enhance surveillance and epidemiological predictions for Infectious Disease control

Infectious diseases are evolving rapidly, making timely detection and critical responses essential for informed policy decisions for public health. It is vitally important that policy decisions for public health are based on robust projections using the latest epidemiological data. There is an essential requirement to utilise data science (including mathematical and statistical modelling), genomic tools, syndromic surveillance, and evidence synthesis to predict, monitor, and control outbreaks.

Breakthroughs:

Surveillance and Data Science: We are developing novel methods to provide unique insights on a range of key infectious diseases, to support surveillance systems such as near-real time syndromic surveillance to understand which infectious agents are causing changes in healthcare presentations. Our data and evidence synthesis aim to deliver the best available insights and evidence to decision makers on a range of infectious disease threats; ranging from antimicrobial resistance, surveillance of neglected tropical diseases or vaccination strategies to health protection parameters of infectious diseases. We investigate the use of new methodologies such as machine learning to identify changes in levels of infectious diseases from what is expected, enabling rapid public health interventions, or predict winter health care pressures.

Epidemiological Predictions for Policy: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Warwick researchers provided a range of projections and analyses to the UK government including: short- and medium-term projections such as the Roadmap to reopening documents in 2021; the role of schools in the spread of infection; the risks associated with universities and other closed setting; and the spread of novel variants (from Alpha to Omicron). We are currently working closely with UKHSA and DEFRA on analysis zoonotic spillover potential of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Our work has international reach as we have worked closely with researchers at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Centre to provide similar assistance to the Kenyan Ministry of Health, with the Department of Health in the Philippines on the development of integrated bite case management protocols to support the elimination of canine rabies and on strategies to minimise zoonotic transmission of HPAI in Bangladesh and Thailand. We also work on the control of Neglected Tropical Diseases. Of particular note is the HATMEPP (Human African Trypanosomiasis Modelling and Economic Predictions for Policy) project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which supports ongoing global interventions to eliminate gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT or sleeping sickness).

Genomics for outbreak investigation: We have been developing a toolbox made of several methods for the analysis of pathogen genomic data. This includes methods to reconstruct phylogenies, estimate ancestral dates, detect outbreaks, reconstruct transmission trees, identify imports, analyse antibiotic resistance dynamics.

Challenge Lead

Dan Todkill