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Patients and members of the public can get involved in our research in many different ways. Involving patients and the public in our research helps us to answer many research questions. The needs of all of our volunteers are always considered throughout the research process.
We often need volunteers for a wide range of our research studies. Each study follows a carefully designed protocol that has been approved by local ethics committees. Some of the studies may also provide a small inconvenience allowance. You would have to undergo safety screening before participating in any of our research studies. Please note that you cannot start to participate in a new medical research study within 3 months of finishing a different one.
If you would like to volunteer to participate in one of our studies, please see a list of the research projects we are currently recruiting for below.
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The Chain 1 Study (in partnership with Chain 2) is investigating how inactivity affects the way that the body works.
The biological processes that underpin the relationship between physical activity levels and health remain unclear. Addressing this topic has been deemed vital within the field of human chronic diseases and aging, in order to help more adults reach old age in better health and maintain a good quality of life for longer.
Therefore, we are looking for adults aged between 55 to 65 years who are not actively involved in exercise training or do not have a regular physical activity regimen, but walk between 8,000 and 10,000 steps per day.
For six months, participants will be asked to reduce their daily physical activity to match the amount that most UK adults undertake. This is walking less than 4500 steps per day and increasing sitting time to 7hrs per day.Over this six month period, we will assess how body function, diet and activity levels.
At the end of the 6-month period we will provide supervised reconditioning exercise sessions to restore fitness levels.
The Chain 2 Study (in partnership with Chain 1) is investigating how inactivity affects the way that the body works.
The biological processes that underpin the relationship between physical activity levels and health remain unclear. Chain 2 aims to identify changes that occur in the functioning of tissues and organs in the body and the time frame that these changes occur, in response to increasing and decreasing physical activity levels.
Therefore, the Chain 2 Study is looking for adults aged between 55 to 65 years who are not actively invovled in exercise training, do not have a regular physical activity regimen, walk less than 5,000 steps per day and sit for more than 8 hours per day.
For six months, participants will be asked to increase their daily physical activity by attending 3 supervised exercise sessions a week at the David Greenfield Human Physiology Unit within the University of Nottingham Medical School.Over this six month period, we will assess how body function, diet and activity levels.
The Kefir Study is looking for adults 18 years and older to examine the effects of a combination of kefir (a fermented dairy drink) and dietary fibre on health.
Participants will be asked to take a combination of goat's milk kefir and fibre supplement, as a smoothie, for 6 weeks. The study will consist of 2 in-clinic visits to collect data and samples.
To find out further information, please contact us via the link below:
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We are recruiting adults aged 18 years and older to examine the effects of daily consumption of pectin fibre on health.
Research has shown that dietary fibre may reduce inflammation in the body and we are studying how consuming a combination of 2 different fibres impacts health and wellbeing. Participants will be asked to consume 20g fibre or a placebo daily for 6 weeks.
The study requires volunteers to attend an initial screening visit, then 3 further visits at the University of Nottingham Medical School. A blood sample will be collected at 2 of these study visits and participants will be asked to provide stool samples before and at the end of the 6-week period.
Unfortunately, if you are taking medication or have any medical conditions affecting your gut (including irritable bowel syndrome), you would not be suitable to take part.
Participants will receive an amazon voucher at study visits as a thank you.
Loss of muscle mass and function is a common problem for those who suffer from Crohn’s disease in which could affect their quality of life.
Our PINC Study aims to compare how well children, aged 12 - 17, with Crohn’s Disease absorb and digest protein when compared to children without Crohn's Disease. The aim is to link the way they metabolise protein to their muscle mass by measuring this through a scan called an MRI. We will investigate protein digestion and absorption and link these findings to whole body muscle mass.
Participants will receive travel expenses to and from the QMC and an amazon voucher at study visits as a thank you.
Please complete the PINC Study form via the link below if you are interested in participating.
PINC Study Form
This Sodium Study aims to measure how the concentration of sodium in the kidneys changes when a fluid is infused into the body, in order to improve our understanding of how the human body responds to this fluid. An increased understating will help doctors to improve intravenous fluid infusion techniques in patients.
The study consists of three visits. The first will be a screening visit at the David Greenfield Human Physiology Unit within the medical school at QMC (~45mins). The second and third visit will be in the morning at the Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre on the University of Nottingham main campus (~4hrs). Where you will have MRI scans while receiving a standard rehydrating infusion into a vein in your arm.
You will be offered an inconvenience allowance as well as a copy of your MRI images.
The CRNitrateMRI study aims to investigate the combined effects of beetroot juice (dietary nitrate) plus a weight-loss diet (caloric restriction) on the brain and vascular functions in older adults (aged 60 - 75 years old). There is evidence to suggest that consuming beetroot juice, a good source of dietary nitrate, whilst restricting your energy intake may improves cognition (e.g., memory), brain blood flow, and blood vessel function with the results helping us to develop future studies to test the effects of combining dietary nitrate and energy restriction in people at a higher risk of developing diseases related to cognitive declines, like dementia.
The study will involve drinking beetroot juice and following a diet for 28 days. Participants will be required to have two brain MRI scans, along with measurements of cognitive and vascular function.
An inconvenience allowance will be paid and all food will be provided for the four week period.
To register your interest for the study, please fill in the form above (click on the photo), or you can email us at the email via the link below quoting the reference "CRNitrateMRI Study"
David Greenfield Human Physiology Unit School of Life Sciences Medical School University of Nottingham Nottingham, NG7 2UH