Regenerative medicine | Infection, immunity, inflammation and repair

Our vision is to exploit our research excellence, multidisciplinary capability and translational strength to deliver new or improved therapies for a number of diseases, and facilitate the repair and regeneration of tissues and organs following injury or ageing.

The University of Manchester has remarkable multidisciplinary expertise in the area of regenerative medicine, spanning activities across the whole institution. We are developing novel regenerative and tissue engineering approaches to treat unmet clinical needs.

Strengths

Our strengths as a university include bioengineering, biomaterials and tissue engineering, stem cells, developmental biology, cell-matrix biology, inflammation and immunity, wound healing and cell/gene therapies.

We address unmet clinical needs through the following themes:

regenerating musculoskeletal tissues;
renal tract regeneration;
developing therapies for stroke and nerve repair;
regenerative cardiovascular tissues;
disease modelling for drug and therapeutic development;
enhancing acute and chronic wound healing;
advancing gene/cell therapies for heritable and acquired diseases.

Clinical links

Our ultimate aim is to translate our world-leading basic research into clinical or commercial application for public and patient benefit. Through working with clinical colleagues and commercial collaborators, we have initiated first-in-man trials for novel therapies and established spin-out companies to develop new treatments for significant clinical problems.

Featured projects

See a selection of current research projects, which aim to make a positive impact on health and disease both nationally and globally.

The University of Manchester to host TERMIS EU in 2020

Dr Stephen Richardson has led a successful bid to host the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) European Chapter meeting at Manchester Central, 26-29 May 2020. Conference co-chairs will include Professors Sue Kimber and Sarah Cartmell. The award reflects the University’s growing international reputation in the field.

Translating a novel synthetic polymer nerve conduit to human scale

This NIHR i4i funded study, led by Dr Adam Reid an Honorary Consultant in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, attempts to develop a solution for faster and improved quality of peripheral nerve repair using a specialised biodegradable nerve conduit. Injuries to peripheral nerves are common, debilitating and affect a young and working population, with significant socio-economic impact.

Muscular dystrophy

Professor Giulio Cossu and his team are conducting a Wellcome Trust supported first-in-human clinical trial aimed at testing safety and efficacy of autologous, genetically corrected mesoangioblasts upon delivery to muscles of patients affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Haematopoietic stem cell gene therapy

Professor Brian Bigger and his team are developing a novel stem cell gene therapy for Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPSIIIB) which is a devastating genetic disease that affects the central nervous system. At present there is no cure and patients do not typically survive past their late teens.

The University of Manchester cleanroom facility

The University’s cleanroom facility offers a MHRA licensed environment for the GMP manufacture of cellular IMPs, ATMPs, gene therapies and specials, as well as acellular medical devices for use in first-in-human clinical trials. The cleanroom provides a translational service from the research laboratory into the clinic.

Featured researchers

Dr Neil Roberts

Kidney Research UK Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Neil works on the bladder disease urofacial syndrome to understand the aetiology of the disease and design new methods of treatment and tissue repair. Urofacial syndrome is a rare inherited disorder characterised by an abnormal facial expression and obstructive disease of the urinary tract.

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Professor Alberto Saiani

Professor of Molecular Materials and EPSRC Research Fellow

Over the past decade, Alberto’s group has developed a technological platform for the design of functional 3D scaffolds for cell culture and tissue engineering applications. His materials are used in a range of applications from cell differentiation and drug delivery to 3D printing. His work has led to the creation of start-up business PetiGelDesign Ltd to commercialise some of his materials.

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Dr Sarah Herrick

Senior Lecturer and School of Biological Sciences PGT Director

Sarah’s research focus is peritoneal biology, where she has contributed to our understanding of tissue regeneration and adhesion formation. Current research is highlighting the role of surface mesothelial cells in fibrotic response to injury linked to peritoneal dialysis, surgery and infection.

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Professor Enrique Amaya

Professor of Tissue Regeneration

Enrique is investigating the mechanisms responsible for tissue formation, repair and regeneration in amphibians and fish. His group recently identified sustained ROS production as a pro-regenerative signal by facilitating cell proliferation and growth factor signalling in regenerating tissues.

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You can also browse related research within the Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine via the University's research explorer.

Manchester Regenerative Medicine Network

This network brings together biologists, material scientists, bioengineers and clinicians in order to translate basic biological research into viable clinical therapies.

Building on Manchester’s critical mass of world-leading researchers and excellent reputation, we are breaking down the barriers between life, clinical and material sciences to enable strategic multidisciplinary grant bids which will help basic scientists move their projects into clinical protocols.