News
Severe COVID-19 linked to higher risk of gastrointestinal conditions for two years
People who have been hospitalised with COVID-19 are at increased risk of developing a range of digestive health problems. This effect can last for up to two years after infection, according to a new study involving researchers at the University of Bristol. Published in BMJ Public Health,…
Researcher perspectives: Ewan Walker
Ewan Walker is one of our PhD students. He is exploring why some people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a much later and more severe stage than others, with a particular focus on African and African Caribbean communities. In September 2026, we spoke to Ewan about his academic…
Researcher perspectives: Aaron Mitchell
Aaron Mitchell is one of our PhD students. He is exploring the relationship between obesity and colorectal cancer progression using genetic epidemiology and cell biology. He is supervised by Professors Lavinia Paternoster, Emma Vincent, Gibran Hemani and Richard Martin. In July 2026 we spoke to Aaron about his academic journey,…
Open-source atlas aims to improve use of epigenetic tools in paediatric studies
Researchers at the Erasmus University Rotterdam and University of Bristol worked together to complete the first systematic review of DNA methylation profile scores (MPSs) used in children and young people. The review highlights opportunities for earlier disease research and prevention, while warning that many…
AI and saliva proteins could help improve early detection of head and neck cancer
Researchers supported by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Bristol have shown that artificial intelligence could help improve the early detection of head and neck cancer using saliva samples. Crucially they’ve demonstrated this can happen even when only small numbers of patient samples are available for study. In…
Weight loss could play role in managing patients with heart failure and obesity
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that the obesity-survival paradox may be misleading. For over 20 years, doctors have been puzzled by an apparent paradox. Patients living with heart failure and overweight (or obesity) often seemed to survive longer…
Accelerating precision orthopaedic surgery using automated imaging and linked clinical data
A new NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) research project to improve surgical planning and precision using automated image analysis plans to use the South West Secure Data Environment (SDE) to link clinical imaging with electronic patient records. The project is led by Mr Simon Abram. Linking…
Unpicking the genetics of postoperative delirium
The genetic variations that might make someone more likely to experience postoperative delirium are explored in a new Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) paper published in PLOS Medicine. Researchers from the BRC’s Translational Data Science Theme performed a genome-wide association study or GWAS. This type of study uses genetic…
Improving how missing data is handled in studies
A new tool to help statisticians decide how to handle missing data in studies has been published by Bristol Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) researchers. In health research, it’s common to have missing information in study data, especially in large studies about the risk factors for disease. This missing data can…