Times Higher accolade for Nottingham research

04_Research_Project_OTYear_-445 
28 Nov 2014 11:55:41.370

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The University of Nottingham has won 'Research Project of the Year' at the Times Higher Education Awards 2014.

Scientists from the University identified a previously undetected layer of the cornea, the clear protective lens that sits in front of the eye.

The researchers, led by Professor Harminder Dua, found a distinct layer deep in the corneal tissue that plays a vital role in corneal transplant surgery.

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Groundbreaking research

Professor Dua said: "Winning this award is fantastic - but the real winners are my team, the University of Nottingham for the support and the environment it provides, and my NHS colleagues who have always encouraged and facilitated my research."

The discovery has been named 'Dua's Layer' in his honour. He carried out the research with Dr Dalia Said, Dr Lana Faraj, Trevor Gray and James Lowe.

Having identified this new and distinct layer deep in the tissue of the cornea, doctors are now exploiting its presence to make operations much safer and simpler for patients.

Impacting on the treatment of patients

The discovery has also sparked a flurry of research questions about its role in diseases of the eye including glaucoma, the world's second most common cause of blindness, which is a result of defective fluid drainage.

Professor Dua's research, published in the journal Opthalmology, was the discipline's most downloaded paper on the ScienceDirect website over the next three months. Collaborative work with researchers in Italy, Egypt, Lithuania and Wales is building on the breakthrough.

Professor Saul Tendler, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at The University of Nottingham, said: "I'm delighted to see this outstanding work recognised by the Times Higher Education judges. This is exciting research that is helping to improve patient care and having a real impact on day-to-day treatment of patients around the world."

The Times Higher Education Awards judges described the discovery as truly groundbreaking.

Shearer West, head of the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford, said: "The discovery of a new layer of the cornea by Professor Dua has been one of the most exciting recent developments in opthalmology, with the possibility of revolutionising the treatment of corneal diseases."

Outstanding International Student Strategy

The University of Nottingham was also shortlisted in the category of 'Outstanding International Student Strategy' for its sector-leading work to support international students. The University has introduced a range of innovative measures to help overseas students including immigration surgeries given by a leading law firm, interactive online sessions with applicants and on-campus police registration all year round.

Now in their tenth year, the Times Higher Education Awards are a highlight of the academic calendar, shining a spotlight on the outstanding achievements of institutions, teams and individuals in the UK higher education sector.

The Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, Greg Clark, joined academics and professional and support staff from all over the country at the event, held in London on November 27th.

Picture caption: Dr Simon Kerridge, Chair of the Board of Directors ARAM (right) presents Professor Dua with his award (centre) alongside Jack Dee on the left, Dr Dalia Said (UoN)  second from left,  and Dr Lana Faraj (UoN) second from right.

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Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham has 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in China and Malaysia modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’ (Times Good University Guide 2014). It is also the most popular university in the UK among graduate employers, in the top 10 for student experience according to the Times Higher Education and one of the world’s greenest universities

Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest-ever fundraising campaign, is delivering the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news…

Story credits

More information is available from Professor Harminder Dua, Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciencesat The University of Nottingham, at harminder.dua@nottingham.ac.uk

CharlotteAnscombe

Charlotte Anscombe – Media Relations Manager (Arts and Social Sciences)

Email: charlotte.anscombe@nottingham.ac.uk  Phone:+44 (0)115 74 84 417 Location: University Park

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