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High-profile cases of growth hormone misuse by leading international sports stars have made the development of an effective detection test a main priority of global anti-doping organisations. A research team headed by the University of Southampton developed a new test, adopted at the 2012 Olympic Games, which identified two drugs cheats at the London Paralympic Games just weeks after it was first introduced. The subsequent bans serve to act as a powerful deterrent to other athletes and help restore public confidence in fair competition. The World Anti-Doping Agency has announced its commitment to rolling out the test internationally.
Research at Queen Mary established the beneficial effects of adult growth hormone (GH) replacement. Prof Korbonits' team pioneered careful GH dose titration and adjustment of other concomitant pituitary hormone replacements, both crucial for effective and safe treatment. Collaborative research between adult and paediatric endocrinologists established a new model of GH deficiency treatment between completion of linear growth and full maturity at age 25. Findings led to [a] revised guidelines and policy in UK, Europe and USA; [b] new service models (especially at the paediatric-adult transition); [c] significant changes in clinical practice, [d] improved patient outcomes, notably dramatically improved quality of life, reduced cardiovascular risk and improved survival, [e] reduced costs.
The impact of statistical ecology research at Kent is on both the survey design of data collection on wild animals, and the analysis of the resulting data. As a result of our research, better quality data are being collected more efficiently, and a wide range of new methods of data analysis are being used. This is essential for the conservation and management of wild animal populations and the preservation of biodiversity. New methods developed at Kent are now standard tools used in ecology. Examples of impact are improved understanding of the decline of British farmland birds, underpinning conservation action plans; and analysis of data from tiger surveys, supporting the Indonesian Government's National Tiger Recovery Plan.
This case study describes how innovative new survey protocols for amphibians and reptiles in the UK are already changing conservation and planning practice in the UK. The new protocols, developed by a team led by Professor Richard Griffiths at the University of Kent, make surveys more effective and provide guidance for obtaining better data on trends for these species. Thanks to a series of engagement workshops held in 2011-12, the team's research has already informed best practice amongst ecologists, consultants and fieldworkers involved in professional practice and national recording schemes. Moreover, the revised and science-based survey protocols, published in March 2013, are in the process of being adopted within policy, best practice and statutory guidance in England, Wales and Scotland.
Prior to this research, survey protocols for amphibians and reptiles had changed little for some 20 years, and were not science-based. Consequently, the amount of survey effort required to reliably determine population status was controversial. With developers forced to spend up to £125 million per year to mitigate impacts on some species, this issue was particularly pressing within the commercial sector. Using statistical models, Griffiths' team derived recommendations that resolved how much effort was required to reliably detect whether a species was present or absent from a site. If it were not for this research, these important protocols would not have changed, and surveys would not have been as cost-effective or as reliable. Indeed, despite several decades of intensive recording activity, there were insufficient data to provide a meaningful statement on long- term trends of UK species for the recent National Ecosystem Assessment.
The nanobiotechnology research group at the University of Kent (Bruce et al.) has pioneered the ability to control, manipulate and commercially process magnetite nanoparticles. Two spinout companies, EryDel and Dietheva have been formed, with a €6 million venture capital grant, as a direct result of the Kent-led research. EryDel (in collaboration with Philips Healthcare) are exploiting the materials worldwide for drug delivery (Erydex), with US and European approval for Orphan drug designation given in 2013 for genetic diseases, and Diatheva are marketing the technology for forensic diagnostic kits. The predicted five-year revenue is €35 million with a potential market of €17 billion.