About Life Sciences at Birmingham

Birmingham is one of the most important sites for Life Sciences within the UK and is characterised by strong partnerships that link academic excellence across the University with innovation in addressing the health care requirements of a diverse regional population of five million people.

Life Sciences at Birmingham

Our vision

Full circle of translational medicine as described in the paragraph on the left

Our vision is to deliver the full circle of translational medicine and to be recognised globally as a leading UK institution for Life Sciences research.

Our research

Our ability to deliver the full circle of translational medicine allows us to address major global health problems including ageing, chronic and rare diseases, cancer, trauma and antibiotic resistance. Strong basic and pre-clinical science underpins experimental medicine programmes through which disease mechanisms and new treatments are explored in patients using infrastructure provided by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). New treatments are then tested in clinical trials particularly focussing on a personalised approach in which diagnostic tests are used to identify the right treatment, for the right patient at the right time.

Professor David Adams

Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Medical and Dental Sciences

“While focusing on the quality of research, we also want to consolidate our teaching strengths. By achieving the highest standards of biomedical teaching across the University, we will produce the outstanding doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and biomedical scientists of the future.”

Our applied health researchers develop and evaluate scientific methodologies to analyse global health challenges faced by society and to find out how we can intervene to improve public health. This work links into our major programmes elucidating the role of the environment, exercise, and nutrition in maintaining health.

In addition to our world leading research, we deliver high quality and innovative education programmes that transform students into professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to become the biomedical and healthcare professionals of the future.

Working together

The University of Birmingham sits at the heart of the city and region’s Life Sciences campus with strong and effective partnerships with healthcare providers and industry; regionally, nationally and internationally.

Birmingham Health Partners (BHP), a strategic alliance between the University, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Women's Hospital, allows us to efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory into the clinic to improve patient care and well-being.

Professor Myra Nimmo

Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Life and Environmental Sciences

“Our outstanding facilities and partnership working, combined with multi-disciplinary academic excellence across the University, and a diverse regional population of over five million, make Birmingham one of the few global cities equipped to deliver the full circle of translational medicine.”

Through continuous investment in our research and educational activity, and by embracing collaborative opportunities with industry and other key stakeholders, we aim to make the city central to the successful delivery of the government’s vision for UK Life Sciences. By doing so, we will improve health and contribute to economic growth, making the UK the best place to invest in Life Sciences research.

Find out more about Life Sciences at Birmingham

Email: life-sciences@contacts.bham.ac.uk 

What are Life Sciences?

Life Sciences can be defined broadly as the study of living organisms including micro-organisms, plants, animals and humans. At Birmingham, we have internationally competitive research groups in all of these areas. The ultimate aim of research in areas relevant to human health is to promote healthy living by maintaining quality of life and developing new treatments for disease.

 Life sciences facts and figures