Health Research at UHI
Cancer Research
Our cancer research team are addressing fundamental questions that underpin our understanding of health and disease. We focus on melanoma and related cancers, with specific interests in the genetic susceptibility to the disease (familial and sporadic), genomic changes within tumours and the immune response to cancer, particularly related to the genetic alterations.
Current research interests include all subtypes of melanoma: cutaneous (skin), (nail beds), uveal (eye) and mucosal, as well as associated cancers including mesothelioma and renal/bladder tumours.
Medical Nanotechnology
Our medical nanotechnology research group explores the use of nanomaterials for biomedical applications. We are investigating new antimicrobial and antiviral surfaces and diamond-like coatings which can be produced by sophisticated but scalable physical vapour deposition (PVD) techniques.
We are also looking at the application of photonics (the use of light) in healthcare applications and the ways in which optical techniques, such as Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), may be used to measure and identify biochemical species.
Rural Health Sciences
Our Centre for Rural Health Sciences aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of the Highlands and Islands through excellence in rural health and social care education, research and knowledge exchange.
Researchers at the Centre for Rural Health Sciences co-design and conduct research, involving service users, families, and healthcare providers. They strive to support and improve the health and wellbeing of our communities, and they actively engage with stakeholders to advance knowledge exchange and impact.
One Health
One Health research involves taking a multidisciplinary approach that recognises the interconnectedness between human, animal, plant and environmental health. Research groups across the UHI partnership are examining complex problems arising from the interaction of humans, animals and our shared environment - from the impact of climate change on local ecosystems, through the health of our oceans, peatlands and waterways to ways of improving rural health care access.
Mass Spectrometry
Identifying the role of biomarkers in disease progression is crucial in helping to identify diseases early and to discover new, effective treatments. Mass spectrometry (MS) is an incredibly powerful analytical technique that can identify and quantify a wide range of compounds from very small amounts in a variety of analytes from proteins and lipids to drugs and micronutrients. At UHI, we can couple our mass spectrometry capabilities across the partnership with gas, liquid or plasma chromatography providing a diversity of scientific applications and analysis that supports projects in life sciences, environmental science and marine sciences.
Schizophrenia
Our schizophrenia research group uses cellular and molecular techniques to investigate the causes of schizophrenia. In particular, the team is investigating abnormal immune or cellular responses that might influence susceptibility to developing schizophrenia.
The research group is comprised of laboratory-based researchers and a clinical team, overseen by a research board with international schizophrenia researchers.