Research in Medical and Dental Sciences We are dedicated to performing world-leading research with the ultimate goal of improving human health.
Maternal Health Mother to child transmission of COVID-19 infection, possible but rare SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the COVID-19 infection, can be transmitted from mother to baby before, during and after childbirth.
COVID-19 Research and News from the College All the latest coronavirus research developments, news and comment from the College of Medical and Dental Sciences
22 December 2021 Booster vaccination strongly enhances COVID-19 immunity in care home residents and staff – study A COVID-19 booster vaccination markedly increases immune response in residents and staff within care homes, making it vital that people living and working in these settings get their third 'jab', a new study reveals.
21 December 2021 China-wide study will boost understanding of fatal surgical complication Older patients in hospitals across China took part in a major multi-centre open-label randomised clinical trial that showed there was no difference in post-operative delirium in older people with a hip fracture.
20 December 2021 Birmingham Perspective: How might Omicron impact potential future COVID-19 variants? Adam Cunningham, Professor of Functional Immunity, speculates on how might the Omicron variant might affect future COVID-19 variants.
20 December 2021 Gum disease increases risk of other illness such as mental health and heart conditions, study finds A University of Birmingham-led study shows an increased risk of patients developing illnesses including mental ill-health and heart conditions if they have a GP-inputted medical history of gum disease.
20 December 2021 University of Birmingham announces five new diabetes research studies The University of Birmingham today announces the launch of five new major studies aimed at improving the prevention, treatment and management of type 1 diabetes – with a particular focus on children and young adults.
20 December 2021 Drug could more effectively treat patients hospitalised with COVID-19 pneumonia, early stage research finds A proof-of-concept trial has identified a drug that may offer benefit some patients hospitalised with COVID-19 pneumonia.
20 December 2021 Omicron may cause 100,000 cancelled operations in England this winter An additional 100,000 elective operations could be cancelled in England this winter as a result of the Omicron wave leading to increased hospital admissions.
09 December 2021 Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection increases strength and quality of immune response in double vaccinated care home staff and residents, reveals study Elderly care home residents who have previously contracted and survived COVID-19 develop much stronger and higher antibody and cellular immune responses to two doses of vaccination, research finds.
07 December 2021 CARE Fertility supporting miscarriage research CARE Fertility has generously donated £202,800 to support the miscarriage research led by Professor Arri Coomarasamy and team at the University of Birmingham.
03 December 2021 University of Birmingham in trial of booster COVID-19 vaccines A UK-wide trial carried out in collaboration with the University of Birmingham show six COVID-19 vaccines are safe and boost immunity for people who have had two doses of Pfizer/BioNTech or Oxford/AstraZeneca.
26 November 2021 Researchers awarded vital funding to explore treatment to slow rare liver disease LifeArc and PSC Support jointly award £898,774 for new research into primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare disease where the body attacks its own liver, causing inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts.
17 November 2021 Opinion – A climate for microbes: how the dynamics of infectious diseases will change on a warming planet Professor Willem van Schaik, Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection, writes an opinion piece on how the dynamics of infectious diseases will change on a warming planet.