News for Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

Eight BRC projects get RCF funding

7 September 2020 · Listed under Cardiovascular, Clinical Informatics and Big Data, Diabetes and Metabolism, Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunity, Genomic Medicine, Haematology and Stem Cells, Imaging, Molecular Diagnostics, Multi-Modal Cancer Therapies, Multimorbidity and Long-Term Conditions, Neurological Conditions, Stroke and Vascular Dementia, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation, Technology and Digital Health

Eight Oxford BRC proposals, many covering a number of themes, have been awarded NIHR Research Capability Funding (RCF) funding to take forward key areas of research. The selected projects that will be supported include: Developing a research centre devoted to urgent and acute care The creation of a state-of-the-art imaging centre; and of a new … Read more

BRC researchers’ work recognised with Vice-Chancellor’s Awards

30 July 2020 · Listed under Molecular Diagnostics, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation, Vaccines for Emerging and Endemic Diseases

A number of Oxford BRC-supported researchers have been recognised in this year’s University of Oxford Vice-Chancellor Innovation Awards. The Vice-Chancellor Innovation Awards celebrate research-led innovation that is having societal or economic impact. Prof Robert MacLaren, who leads the BRC’s Surgical Innovation theme, was named winner of the Inspiring Leadership category for his work on creation and spin-out of … Read more

Gene therapy shows promise in tackling common cause of childhood blindness

26 February 2020 · Listed under Genomic Medicine, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

The results of a first-in-human clinical trial of gene therapy to treat a common cause of genetic blindness have shown partial reversal of sight loss in some patients. X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, caused by mutations in RPGR gene, is the most common cause of blindness in young people. The inherited mutations lead to degeneration of light … Read more

Oxford professors appointed NIHR Senior Investigators

24 February 2020 · Listed under Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunity, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

Four leading healthcare academics in Oxford have received a prestigious national award. The University of Oxford professors were named National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigators in recognition of being “among the most prominent and prestigious researchers funded by the NIHR and the most outstanding leaders of patient and people-based research within the NIHR research community and … Read more

World’s first gene therapy operation for common cause of sight loss carried out

18 February 2019 · Listed under Genomic Medicine, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

Researchers in Oxford have carried out the world’s first gene therapy operation to tackle the root cause of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the UK’s most common cause of sight loss. The procedure was carried out at the John Radcliffe Hospital by Prof Robert MacLaren, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Oxford, with the support … Read more

First human test of robotic eye surgery a success

18 June 2018 · Listed under Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

The first trial of robot-assisted eye surgery in patients has shown the technique to be both safe and effective. Researchers from the University of Oxford, supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) have completed the first successful trial of remotely controlled robot-assisted retinal surgery. The findings were published … Read more

Oxford medical researchers win prestigious national awards

23 February 2018 · Listed under Antimicrobial Resistance and Modernising Microbiology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunity, Haematology and Stem Cells, Obesity, Diet and Lifestyle, Partnerships for Health, Wealth and Innovation, Stroke and Vascular Dementia, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation, Vaccines for Emerging and Endemic Diseases

Leading health researchers in Oxford have been recognised in a prestigious national competition. Eight professors have been named National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigators in recognition of their “outstanding contribution to clinical and applied health and social care research”. The successful candidates are all prominent researchers in the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre … Read more

Second key step for eye robot trial

28 December 2016 · Listed under Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

A robot has been used to inject a drug into the back of the eye in a world first for the next phase of a landmark clinical trial at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital. Prof Robert MacLaren used the remotely controlled robot to administer a tiny volume of blood dissolving agent tPA under the retina to … Read more

World first for robot eye operation

12 September 2016 · Listed under Neurological Conditions, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

Surgeons at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital have performed the world’s first operation inside the eye using a robot. Robert MacLaren, Professor of Ophthalmology assisted by Dr Thomas Edwards, Nuffield Medical Fellow, used the remotely controlled robot to lift a membrane 100th of a millimetre thick from the retina at the back of the right eye … Read more

“Bionic eye” to feature on ITV documentary

4 May 2016 · Listed under Other News, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

The story of a patient who was among the first in the UK to receive the world’s most advanced ‘bionic eye’ is to feature on ITV this month. Nikki Watson’s story will feature on “What Would Be Your Miracle?” on ITV 1 on Thursday, May 12 at 9pm. The 48-year-old, from Devon, was diagnosed with … Read more

Gene therapy shows long-term benefit for treating rare blindness

3 May 2016 · Listed under Genomic Medicine, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

Pioneering gene therapy has restored some vision to patients with a rare form of genetic blindness for as long as four years, raising hopes it could be used to cure common causes of vision loss, new University of Oxford research published today shows. A technique which involves injecting a virus into the eye to deliver … Read more

Blind woman’s joy as she reads the time thanks to “bionic eye”

5 January 2016 · Listed under Neurological Conditions, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

A patient who is the first in the UK to receive the world’s most advanced “bionic eye” has been able to read the time for the first time in more than five years. The moment Rhian Lewis, 49, realised she had correctly told the time is captured on BBC’s “Trust Me I’m A Doctor”, to … Read more

Bionic eyes give us a look into future of medical technology

17 March 2015 · Listed under Neurological Conditions, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

BIONIC eyes, lung imaging and pregnancy apps were part of an exhibition revealing life-changing research taking place in Oxford. Members of the public had a rare opportunity to meet surgeons, nurses and clinical researchers who are building the next generation of clinical techniques to revolutionise medicine.The Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, based at the Churchill Hospital, … Read more

Surgery offers better survival rates for most men with localised prostate cancer

27 February 2014 · Listed under Other News, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

Surgical treatment offers better survival rates than radiotherapy for most men with clinically localised prostate cancer, according to one of the largest studies of its type. Researchers in Oxford, Stockholm, and the Netherlands compared data from more than 34,000 patients in Sweden over a 15-year period and found surgery offered improved survival rates, with greatest … Read more

Device keeps human liver alive outside body

15 March 2013 · Listed under Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

World first: human liver kept alive and functioning on machine outside patient’s body World first: livers kept alive on device successfully transplanted into two patients Oxford University machine could as much as double number of livers for transplant Technology currently being trialled for first time with humans at King’s College Hospital in London In a … Read more

Royal visit to Oxford’s Churchill Hospital

6 December 2012 · Listed under Multi-Modal Cancer Therapies, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

The Duke of York visited the Churchill Hospital in Oxford today to mark the opening of the new building. The building, that includes an integrated Cancer and Haematology Centre, provides a base for many NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre projects. Chairman of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Dame Fiona Caldicott said: “We were absolutely delighted … Read more

Gene therapy trial begins for blindness caused by choroideraemia

17 May 2012 · Listed under Genomic Medicine, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

Professor Robert MacLaren from the University of Oxford and Professor Miguel Seabra from Imperial College London are undertaking a clinical trial using gene therapy to treat a disease that causes blindness known as choroideraemia. This condition is currently incurable and affects thousands of people worldwide. This is the world’s first clinical trial for this disease … Read more

First electronic retina implanted in the UK

3 May 2012 · Listed under Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

Surgeons in Oxford are the first in the UK to successfully implant an electronic retina into the back of an eye. On 22 March 2012, Chris James became the first patient in the UK to receive this ground-breaking surgery as part of a clinical trial being carried out at John Radcliffe Hospital and King’s College … Read more

Man treated in Oxford for blindness with gene therapy

27 October 2011 · Listed under Genomic Medicine, Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

Researchers in Oxford have treated a man with an advanced gene therapy technique to prevent him from losing his sight. It is the first time that anyone has tried to correct a genetic defect in the light-sensing cells that line the back of the eye. The president of the Academy of Medical Sciences said the widespread … Read more

New retinal implant technique is being trialled in Oxford

9 November 2010 · Listed under Surgical Innovation and Evaluation

A new retinal implant technique is being trialled at the Oxford Eye Hospital in 2011 for the first time in the UK. Professor Robert MacLaren, Consultant Retinal Surgeon at the Oxford Eye Hospital, is leading a trial to look at new technology that aims to restore sight to blind patients. By implanting a device underneath … Read more

OUR 20 RESEARCH THEMES