To understand human health, and why disease can sometimes develop, we need detailed knowledge of the molecular basis of physiology. Here in the Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, at The University of Nottingham’s School of Life Sciences, we take an integrative, collaborative approach to this major research challenge. Together, we work at multiple levels, from fundamental biochemistry and molecular mechanisms to organismal and human physiology.
Our work
We’re home to cutting-edge facilities for the in vivo study of human metabolic physiology, as well as biomedical imaging and pre-clinical in vivo neuroscience. Using the power of these innovative technologies, we’re advancing understanding of cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, dementia, stroke, addiction, schizophrenia, neurodegeneration, Paget’s disease, skeletal muscle atrophy and the ageing process.
We also contribute to several centres of excellence, including the Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre; Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis; Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research; Nottingham NIHR Biomedical Research Centre; the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine and The University of Nottingham and University of Birmingham Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE). We also host the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) laboratories.
Our impact
Beyond the immediate scientific impacts of our research, our academics are shaping pharmacology and drug discovery for common diseases such as cancer, heart, lung and eye diseases as well as creating spin out companies. They have also worked closely with industry to create sports nutritional supplements for athletes. The academics in this division have served on government and industrial scientific advisory committees, held major roles within learned societies, acted as expert consultants for a range of industrial partners, research charities and UK Sport, and coordinated award-winning outreach activities, each broadening the societal impact of their discoveries.
Our ambition
The future of biomedical science is likely to lie in the formation of integrative teams, working together to tackle difficult problems at multiple levels of analysis. Our ambition is to lead the way in this new era of team science, with a collaborative approach to the understanding of organismal physiology. We hope to understand both how the molecular basis of life leads to health and disease, and how we can use this knowledge to devise new treatments for the major healthcare challenges of the future.
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Latest news
- Description
- The university's School of Life Sciences has been awarded a prestigious Gold award in the latest round of Athena SWAN submissions.A Gold award recognises a significant and sustained record of activity and achievement by the School in addressing challenges across the full range of its activities and promoting gender equality within and beyond.
- Date:
- 29/08/2023
- Description
- Congratulations to Prof Mary O'Connell and colleagues on their recent award from the Wellcome Trust under their special call on 'Biological vulnerability to extreme heat in maternal and child health'. This program will generate critical new knowledge on biological mechanisms affected by heat stress during early pregnancy that can alter life-course health in subsequent generations.
- Date:
- 04/05/2023
- Description
- Congratulations to Prof Paul Dyer and the spin-out company Myconeos Ltd from the School of Life Sciences in their award of a major new Innovate UK grant.
- Date:
- 28/04/2023
- Description
- The School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham is currently inviting applications from talented early career researchers for the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships scheme. The date to submit applications to the internal School sift is the 12th April.
- Date:
- 23/03/2023
- Description
- Applications from talented early career researchers for the Royal Society Newton International Fellowships scheme are are now open. The scheme provides up to £350,000 over 3 years including salary, research expenses, relocation and visa costs for the applicant and their dependents (partner and children).
- Date:
- 15/02/2023
- Description
- Professor Paul Greenhaff discusses inactivity- the imperceived muscle stressor
- Date:
- 06/02/2023
- Description
- A new research project has been awarded over £6m to develop a toolkit to allow 3D printed medicines to be manufactured effectively bringing innovations like biological personalised pills and 'living plasters' closer to commercial production.
- Date:
- 23/01/2023
- Description
- Professors Ghaemmaghami and Williams from the School of Life Sciences together with colleagues from Schools of Pharmacy, Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science, and the Faculty of Engineering have been awarded a £5.1M grant by The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for a project entitled: Designing bio-instructive materials for translation-ready medical devices.
- Date:
- 16/01/2023
- Description
- The Staff Seasonal Celebration featured the Citizen of the Year awards- hearty congratulations go to this year's winners.
- Date:
- 16/01/2023
- Description
- The School of Life Sciences would like to congratulate Vicky Chapman on being selected to join the Wellcome Discovery Award Interview Panel
- Date:
- 15/12/2022