Research Nottingham

25/08/2026

Our liver research experts in the spotlight over £2.7 million national research programme using weight loss drug

Researchers at our NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) in Nottingham are working with experts in Plymouth to find out whether a popular weight loss drug can help patients with alcohol dependency and obesity - two of the biggest causes of liver disease.

The CURB research trial is a £2.7 million national funded research programme to investigate whether a weight-loss injection (semaglutide, also known as Wegovy) can help patients living with alcohol dependency and obesity, two of the biggest causes of liver disease.

The story about this research has been catching the attention of the media. Professor Guru Aithal, Co-Lead of the CURB trial and Deputy Director of the NIHR BRC in Nottingham, was recently interviewed by BBC East Midlands TV.

This research was also the subject of a BBC News online story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9q98n241g5o

Professor Aithal was also a guest on Verity Cowley’s BBC Radio Nottingham show. He discussed the urgent need for new treatments for alcohol dependency, obesity and liver disease.

His interview is on the BBC Sounds App and can be accessed via the link below, starting around 1 hour 14 minutes into the show, and finishing at approximately 1 hour 21 minutes

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00308cx

30/06/2026

Join us for our Innovation Event: Working-Age Adults on 1 July 2026 at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

Organised by the HRCs in Rehabilitation and Long-Term Conditions, the event will focus on sharing ideas, innovation and opportunities to improve support for working-age adults.

Find out more and register using the link below

https://hrc-rehabilitation.nihr.ac.uk/events/day/07-01-2026/211

19/06/2026

Nottingham’s new MND Association research nurse Rebecca on why research gives hope to our patients

More patients can get involved in research at Nottingham University Hospitals to help shape care for people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in future, with the appointment of a new specialist nurse.

Rebecca Ashton has joined our MND Care Centre at NUH as a dedicated MND research nurse.

She is funded by the MND Association and will work with patients, their families and clinical teams, to support people in taking part in clinical research to improve care for this disease, which currently has no cure.

In our video, we hear from Rebecca about her new research role and how this can help patients with MND in future, in Nottingham and further afield.

19/06/2026

Nottingham University Hospitals receives dedicated Motor Neurone Disease research nurse, and we speak to an MND patient

A new Motor Neurone Disease senior research nurse has joined the Research and Innovation team at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, to help more patients take part in vital clinical trials to tackle this life-limiting condition.

One patient who has already benefited from the support given by the MND Care Centre in Nottingham is retired farmer George, who has worked as a dairy farmer on his family farm with a herd of 550 cows for much of his life. He kindly shares his story with us below

16/06/2026

12/06/2026

Innovative pathways are helping with early diagnosis of liver disease in Nottingham

As concern mounts over the growing public health burden of liver disease across Europe, Nottingham’s researchers and clinicians have been ahead of the curve in developing innovative pathways to diagnose the disease.

In our latest video, Professor Neil Guha, Co-Lead of the NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre Gastrointestinal & Liver Theme, talks about the findings of new report from the EASL (European Association for the Study of the Liver) – Lancet Commission on Liver Health.

As one of the authors of the latest major EASL-Lancet Commission report, he is among those backing the key recommendations; earlier detection of liver disease, along with the need for joined-up care for people who often have multiple health conditions.

We also hear from Dr Rebecca Harris, Consultant Hepatologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. She has been working closely with our BRC’s academics to create integrated pathways to diagnose patients with liver disease so they can be treated earlier.

Clinicians and researchers have been partnering to address health inequity to actively find patients in areas of high deprivation using population health databases.

20/05/2026

Today we’re marking International Clinical Trials Day here at Research and Innovation at NUH 🎉

A huge thank you to all of our staff who help make research possible 🫵

From the teams delivering trials, to everyone supporting patients, improving care, and helping shape the future of healthcare 🔬

Your work makes a real difference. 💙

19/05/2026

👏

Congratulations to Antonio Palinczuk, an Apprentice Biomedical Scientist at Nottingham University Hospitals, winner of the
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year: Health, Education and Care Award at last week’s Nottingham Trent University Apprenticeship Awards.

The NTU Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of NTU apprentices, employers and apprentice mentors. Antonio won the award for demonstrating exceptional resilience, academic excellence and a deep commitment to supporting others. He has made a significant impact across both his workplace and wider learning community.

13/05/2026

Earlier diagnosis and treatment of liver disease “should be a priority” say Nottingham researchers

Earlier diagnosis to identify patients at risk from liver disease is needed, according to the findings of a new Lancet Commission, which includes input from experts at Nottingham’s NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

Nearly 780 people die from cirrhosis or liver cancer every day in Europe - conditions which are largely preventable.

A major new report from the EASL (European Association for the Study of the Liver) –Lancet Commission on Liver Health in Europe warns that liver disease is an escalating public health crisis across the World Health Organization European Region.

One of the report’s key recommendations is earlier detection of liver disease, along with joined-up care for people who often have multiple health conditions – areas where Nottingham’s scientists and clinicians have been innovative.

Professor Neil Guha, Co-Lead for Nottingham BRC’s Gastrointestinal and Liver research theme, is one of the authors of the EASL-Lancet commission report.

He said: “Liver disease is one of the biggest health burdens across Europe and has now reached the status of an escalating public health crisis.”

Read the full news story on this topic on the NIHR Nottingham BRC website 👇

https://nottinghambrc.nihr.ac.uk/about-nottingham-brc/news/4130-earlier-diagnosis-and-treatment-of-liver-disease-should-be-a-priority-say-nottingham-researchers

17/04/2026

Registrations are now open for the Innovation for Transformation NHS Showcase 2026 🏥

📍 Radisson Blu Hotel, East Midlands Airport
📅 Thursday 4 June | 9:30am – 4:00pm

Join us to explore how innovation is transforming care across the NHS, with practical insights, proven technologies, and opportunities to connect with colleagues across the East Midlands 🙌

We’re also inviting teams to share best practice as part of a poster exhibition 📝

Spaces are limited 🚨

Register early to secure your place 👇

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/innovation-for-transformation-nhs-showcase-2026-tickets-1982691332147?aff=wideremails