Local research to solve global issues

Organised by the Bristol Doctoral College at the University of Bristol, ‘Research without Borders’ gives members of the public a chance to meet those working at the cutting edge of research in a range of areas – from science to history.

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, pro vice-chancellor for research and enterprise explained, saying: “’Research without Borders 2019′ brings together postgraduate researchers from across disciplines to showcase some of the latest research that is taking place here in Bristol.  It aims to put this research into conversation with the wider community around us.

“Together we can explore what possibilities exist when we ask questions rather than settle for quick fix answers; when we challenge ourselves to step out of the ordinary framework of day-today life and approach the world from new perspectives.”

Esther Saunders-Jennings is one of 50 postgraduate research students taking part in an interactive exhibition in the foyer of the Colston Hall.

Holding a green sponge brain, Esther said: “We’re trying to see if there’s an indicator as to how Alzheimer’s disease starts.  Because at the moment, there’s nothing that tells us that.”

She is sat beside a model of an MRI scanner, through which a life-size Nicholas Cage cardboard cut-out passes, explaining how the hippocampus works to members of the public.

“We have over 80 people, all over 55s and largely from the Bristol area, who have kindly given us access to their brains,”  said Esther.

Esther and fellow researchers Alfie Wearn and Emma Hadley use brain scans to reconstruct a picture of the difference sizes and types of tissues in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain which is very heavily involved in memory.

Studies by Alzheimer’s Research UK suggest a third less people could be living with dementia in 2030 if the onset is delayed by five years.

“The hippocampus is one of the first parts of the brain to be affected by Alzheimer’s and one of the areas that is most damaged,” said Esther. “It’s about a slowing strategy rather than a reversal of the disease. It’s so important to have an early indicator so you can pick up people up likely to be affected and offer them the chance of being in clinical trials.”

Living well and living long is also the focus for William Cathery and Valeria Vincenza Alvino, who research heart abnormalities in children – one in every 100 babies is born with a congenital heart defect or an abnormality in the structure of their heart.

“Treatment in the UK is currently limited, as children obviously need something that can live and grow in their bodies,” said Will. “More than half of children affected by heart defects end up needing multiple surgeries.”

Valeria Vincenza Alvino & William Catheryare researching heart abnormalities

“We’re working on engineering vascular tissue, so that’s growing the tissue in arteries and veins from the child’s own cells, so it can be transplanted back into them. That way a living graft grows with them and they would only need one surgery,” he explained.

At the entrance of the Colston Hall, another postgraduate researcher, Caitlin Greenwood, is dressed as a Roman and churning butter in a Roman kitchen. Her recipes include Ova Spongia ex Lacte, honey omelette which would have been comfort food in Roman times and Libum, a type of cake with yogurt.

“By looking at animal fats we know the Romans had milk and could make cheese,” said Caitlin.

“I’m looking to understand what was it like to live in Roman Britain – what would you be eating what kind of meals would you be preparing and what can we understand about people’s relationships with animals in different parts of the country,” she said.

Her research combines both chemistry and archaeology, as she analyses the food molecules in roman cooking pots.

“It was before glaze was invented,” she explained. “So by conducting research on the residue we can tell what they were cooking, whether that’s plants or animals, ruminants such as sheep and cows or non-ruminant animals so chickens and pigs.

“I’ve discovered that in Cirencester they had more pigs and chicken than anywhere else and so were keeping their animals in the middle of the city.”

The exhibition also featured a research-inspired piece of art by Zoe Cameron, a Bristol-based artist that specialises in clay, drawing collage and found materials.

Zoe worked with seven academics to create the installation, which will put be on display at the University of Bristol.

Artist Zoe Cameron (far left) worked with seven academics from disciplines including music, neuroscience and engineering to create her installation

“This has been an exciting challenge and eye-opening experience for me, learning about seven fascinating and very different areas of research and working on ways of visually representing them as whole,” said Zoe.

“Together we’ve made a playful modular sculpture, part mobile, that aims to represent the invisible growth structures and research that bind and animate a city and beyond.”

Read more: Research Without Borders: University of Bristol festival returns