Research news

Harefield team publishes landmark study on long-term outcomes in heart bypass surgery
30 December 2025 - A recent study conducted by the cardiac surgical team at Harefield Hospital has revealed that performing heart bypass surgery without a heart-lung machine leads to better long-term survival for patients with advanced coronary artery disease.

Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy could enable early lung cancer diagnosis, UK-first study finds
15 December 2025 - A UK-first study, carried out at Royal Brompton and St Bartholomew’s hospitals, has demonstrated that clinicians can safely and effectively reach and biopsy small nodules in difficult-to-access areas of the lung.

Celebrating excellence at Annual Research Showcase
1 December 2025 - Harefield Hospital was proud to host the 19th Annual Research Showcase, celebrating outstanding heart, lung, and critical care research across our hospitals.

New study shows diet support may help lung patients gain weight
7 November 2025 - Could tailored dietary support benefit patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (F-ILD)? New research from Royal Brompton hospitals suggests it might.

New AI powered tool could help personalise treatment for heart attacks
22 October 2025 -  A new international study, involving researchers at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, has shown that AI could help transform how doctors assess risk and decide on treatment for patients with the most common type of heart attack.

Academic promotion for Trust consultant
14 October 2025 -  A Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals consultant has been recognised by Imperial College London’s National Heart and Lung Institute as part of its 2025 academic promotions, which celebrate the work of academics in the fields of medicine, engineering, natural sciences and business.

Funding for research on breathing exercise for critical care patients
9 October 2025 -  Congratulations to Timothy Jenkins, specialist physiotherapist, who was recently awarded a Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (DCAF) to develop a breathing exercise programme for patients in intensive care.

Study finds simple pulmonary rehab is as effective as specialist setups 
29 August 2025 -  A new study from Harefield hospitals has revealed that people with chronic lung conditions can achieve similar health benefits from pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) delivered using simple, everyday equipment as they would from PR using specialist gym gear.

Study shows AI helps clinicians diagnose lung conditions more accurately
8 August 2025 -  A newly published study led by researchers at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals has found that AI software can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy for lung conditions when used by clinicians in primary care settings. 

Differences found in types of cardiomyopathy affecting men versus women 
29 July 2025 -  Researchers at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals have found that there are differences in the causes of dilated cardiomyopathy in males compared to females.

Could an innovative phone app help sleep apnoea patients with CPAP machines? 
10 July 2025 -  An exciting new study aims to determine if an app delivering behavioural therapy, including group support and education, could help patients with obstructive sleep apnoea who struggle with using their continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

New study challenges gender-based assumptions in coronary artery bypass surgery 
1 July 2025 -  A study carried out by the cardiac surgery team at Harefield Hospital has provided compelling new evidence on gender-based differences in outcomes following minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) to treat advanced coronary artery disease.

Fellowship funding for groundbreaking AI Research into rare lung disease 
19 June 2025 - Congratulations to Dr Mathieu Bottier, research associate, who has been awarded a research fellowship to lead pioneering work that could transform the diagnosis and treatment of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

Dedicated research nurse steps down after half a century 
18 June 2025 - After an incredible 50 years of service, we bid a fond farewell to one of our longest standing members of staff, Sally Meah, who is retiring this month.

The research driving real-world change for CF patients: An interview with Professor Nicholas Simmonds 
10 June 2025 - As part of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Awareness Week, we sat down with Professor Nicholas Simmonds to discuss the advances made in CF care thanks to research.

Thousands of digital hearts could help researchers better understand heart disease 
3 June 2025 - In a groundbreaking project, researchers have created a collection of lifelike digital heart models to help explore how factors like age, gender, and lifestyle affect heart disease and function.

Global survey highlights need for more work on antimicrobial resistance
29 May 2025 - Our researchers have published the results of a global patient survey on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in chronic lung disease, highlighting the likely significant burden of AMR and a need for better accessibility to quality healthcare.

Hospital charity funds pioneering research projects 
17 March 2025 - Congratulations to several research teams who have been awarded charity funding to help support groundbreaking studies that will help improve care for heart and lung patients, generously funded by the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity.

Groundbreaking study challenges long-held beliefs on coronary artery bypass surgery 
27 February 2025 - A recent study has determined that coronary artery bypass surgery undertaken without a heart-lung bypass machine is associated with better long-term survival rates for patients compared to the conventional technique of using a heart-lung bypass machine.

Inhaled gene therapy trial for cystic fibrosis sees first patient at Royal Brompton 
24 February 2025 - An exciting new clinical trial targeted at patients who were not eligible for the recent CFTR modulator therapies has begun at our hospitals.

Another successful year for junior researchers 
19 February 2025 - Several junior researchers have managed to secure funding to undertake NIHR pre-doctoral fellowships at our hospitals.

Study confirms dilated cardiomyopathy is more common in men 
18 February 2025 - A new study has confirmed that dilated cardiomyopathy affects twice as many men as women.

“Hidden role” of Research Office staff member recognised with award 
30 January 2025 - Congratulations to Laura Henderson, research development manager who was recently recognised as the sole NHS winner at the national Hidden REF 2024 competition.

New study on how heart muscles make and use energy 
20 January 2025 - A new study is underway which aims to determine whether a genetic form heart failure is driven by problems with how the heart makes and uses energy.

Improving clinical trial opportunities for critically ill children
3 December 2024 - Over £6 million in funding has been awarded to an adaptive platform trial in paediatric intensive care, focusing on multiple research areas prioritised by young people and parents.

Guy’s Hospital offered a warm welcome to our Annual Research Showcase 
27 November 2024 - The Annual Research Showcase event took place on 26 November 2024 and was held at Guy’s Hospital for the first time, drawing a diverse crowd of staff across various specialties and sites.

Meet Royal Brompton and Harefield’s award-winning clinicians
3 October 2024 - Three colleagues at Royal Brompton and Harefield have been awarded funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The funding will give them protected time within their current roles for research.

Trial of world-first assessment could change large airway collapse diagnosis and treatment 
4 September 2024 - Professor James Hull, Zander Williams and the interventional bronchoscopy team at Royal Brompton have trialled a world-first method that allows clinicians to assess the movement of the large airways during physical activity.

New trial into ventilation strategies receives £2.1 million funding 
12 August 2024 - A new trial led by researchers at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals will explore better treatment strategies for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

First British cases of worktop workers with incurable lung disease 
7 August 2024 - The first UK cases of workers who cut and finish artificial stone worktops developing an incurable lung disease have been reported.

Trial shows better survival with chemotherapy alone over surgery for pleural mesothelioma 
17 July 2024 - Patients with pleural mesothelioma who undergo a combination of surgery and chemotherapy have worse outcomes than patients who have chemotherapy alone, according to data from a recent clinical trial.

New genetic test to speed up pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis 
18 June 2024 - A new study is underway which aims to develop and validate a new type of genetic testing for pulmonary fibrosis, to provide earlier detection and improve understanding of the disease.

A clinical trial for ‘left out’ cystic fibrosis patients 
3 June 2024 - An exciting clinical trial at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals has recruited its first patient to a study which aims to find a treatment for the subset of patients who do not benefit from the recent treatment advancements in cystic fibrosis (CF).

‘Mini-organs’ to diagnose rarer forms of cystic fibrosis 
30 May 2024 - An innovative new research study aims to determine if ‘mini-organs’, also known as organoids, can be used to diagnose rarer forms of cystic fibrosis (CF), and test new treatments.

CF maternal health focus for new strategic research centre
30 May 2024 - Reproductive, maternal and offspring health in people with cystic fibrosis will be the focus of a new programme of research to be led by researchers at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals.

First ‘disease modifying’ treatment study for PCD
29 May 2024 - Researchers at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals (RBHH) have become the first in Europe to recruit a patient to a disease-modifying clinical trial for patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).

Positive trial results for heart pump 
25 April 2024 - A recently published study has found that the use of a heart pump alongside standard treatment helps reduce the risk of death in patients with STEMI-related cardiogenic shock.

‘Winner takes it all’ for rare lung disease research 
5 April 2024 - An exciting new study aims to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify patients with scleroderma who are the most likely to develop severe lung disease, allowing for earlier treatment.

Researching new methods of diagnosing lung fungal infections 
18 March 2024 - Could sputum (phlegm) samples be a less invasive way to diagnose fungal airway disease? That’s what Ali Nuh, senior biomedical scientist, aims to find out during his doctoral fellowship funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research.

First to recruit to new experimental drug trials 
15 February 2024 - Three clinical trials taking place at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals have each become the first in the UK or internationally to recruit patients, highlighting the very favourable research environment at the hospitals.

Beetroot juice lowers blood pressure for people with COPD 
22 December 2023 - New research published in the European Respiratory Journal finds beetroot juice supplement lowers blood pressure and improves exercise capacity in people with COPD.

Study finds women with cardiomyopathy develop more complications than men 
18 December 2023 - A recently published study has found differences when comparing the heart scans and tests between male and female patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a disease of the heart muscle which affects the heart's ability to pump blood around the body.

Annual recognition of our rising research stars 
5 December 2023 - Congratulations to the winners and presenters at this year’s Annual Research Showcase (ARS) held at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals.

Research funding for ‘first of its kind’ heart scanner 
24 November 2023 - Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals will become the first in the world to use a powerful new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner to develop and apply new heart scanning techniques using artificial intelligence.

Novel ideas to reduce symptom flare-ups in bronchiectasis 
17 November 2023 - Congratulations to Jennifer Kilduff, specialist physiotherapist in respiratory medicine, who has been awarded funding to determine how feasible a home rehabilitation programme is in individuals with bronchiectasis receiving home IV antibiotics.

Research on lung muscle training for critical care patients 
14 November 2023 - Congratulations to Timothy Jenkins, specialist physiotherapist, who has been awarded funding to conduct a pre-doctoral fellowship on lung muscle training for critical care patients.

Are viral infections worsening bronchiectasis symptoms? 
23 October 2023 - A new research study aims to determine the role and impact of viruses in individuals with bronchiectasis.

Consultant nurse awarded research training fellowship 
11 September 2023 - Congratulations to Catherine Renwick, consultant nurse, who has been awarded a research fellowship to look at evaluating exercise testing and daily physical activity in children with inherited arrhythmic heart conditions.

New national pulmonary hypertension database gets greenlight
16 August 2023 - Funding has been awarded to create a national registry for patients with chronic lung disease and pulmonary hypertension, allowing the collection of data on aspecific group of patients for which there is currently limited information.

UK first robotic-assisted study to aid lung cancer diagnosis 
7 August 2023 - Clinicians at Royal Brompton Hospital and St Bartholomew’s Hospital are the first in the UK to use a pioneering robotic device to biopsy small and hard-to-reach lung nodules, meaning patients with suspected lung cancer could get a diagnosis much earlier.

An alternative to the 'one-size-fits-all' approach to treating fungal lung infections 
21 July 2023 - A new research study aims to investigate which treatments work best treating patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), the most common form of chronic fungal lung infection in patients with long-term lung disease.

Artificial intelligence to provide ‘wisdom’ in the care of surgical wounds 
19 July 2023 - An exciting new nurse-led study aims to test the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in surgical wound management to help prioritise and highlight wounds which need urgent review or treatment.

Measuring the effects of physiotherapy in children after heart surgery 
18 July 2023 - Can lung ultrasound be used to measure the amount of air in the lungs (lung aeration) and help determine whether chest physiotherapy is useful in children after heart surgery? That’s what Jennie Balls, paediatric physiotherapist, hopes to find out.

Online yoga for people cystic fibrosis 
10 July 2023 - A new trial at our hospitals aims to determine whether online yoga classes for people with cystic fibrosis could help them in overcoming physical issues such as pain and reduced flexibility, breathlessness, as well as mental health issues such as wellbeing and quality of life.

New trial aims to improve outcomes for organ transplantations 
15 June 2023 - A new clinical trial has been awarded funding to determine whether reducing the time spent on ventilation for heart and lung transplant patients can improve their outcomes.

Research nurse of the year
11 May 2023 - Congratulations to Laura Barker, senior research nurse at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, who was awarded ‘Research Nurse or Midwife of the Year 2023’ by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Respiratory disease in early childhood linked to higher risk of death in adulthood 
8 March 2023 - Contracting a lower respiratory tract infection in early childhood is associated with a higher risk of dying from respiratory disease as an adult, according to new research.

International Women's Day - Laura Barker 
8 March 2023 - We had a chat with Laura Barker, senior research nurse, for International Women's Day.

International Women's Day - Melissa Rochon 
8 March 2023 - We had a chat with Melissa Rochon, lead for surgical site infections surveillance, for International Women's Day.

Sex-specific differences focus of new DCM study 
1 February 2023 - An exciting new research project at our hospitals aims to study the sex-specific differences found in male and female patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), thanks to funding from the Medical Research Council.

First UK centre to trial new medical device to help identify heart failure
31 January 2023 -  A research project at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals aims to determine whether a new medical device can help the early identification of those with worsening heart failure.

Hybrid pulmonary rehab for patients with lung disease 
20 December 2022 - A new research project at our hospitals aims to offer patients suffering from lung conditions a ‘hybrid’ programme for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), allowing a combination of in-person and remote sessions.

Palliative care and genetics teams awarded Charity grants 
09 December 2022 - Congratulations to the Specialist Supportive and Palliative Care team and the Clinical Genetics and Genomics department at our hospitals, who have been awarded funding via the Clinical Academic Career Development Programme (CACDP).

Common allergies target of new study 
29 November 2022 - A new allergy study has started at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals which will investigate house dust mite and silver birch tree allergies.

Innovative projects celebrated at annual research showcase 
24 November 2022 - Nurse-led sedation for heart procedures, remote genetic counselling, and asthma and food anaphylaxis were some of the exciting projects on show at this year’s Annual Research Showcase, an annual celebration of the research conducted by NMAHPPs.

COVID study sheds light on potential preventative treatments for severe respiratory conditions 
17 November 2022 - A study has found that markers of inflammation, found in the bloodstream and upper airways of patients who had recovered from severe COVID, could be targeted with existing medications to prevent debilitating lung scarring conditions.

CRF director awarded professorial research chair
16 November 2022 - Congratulations to Professor Philip Molyneaux who has been awarded the role of chair of respiratory research by Asthma + Lung UK.

Pioneer of cardiothoracic surgery opens new research facility at Harefield Hospital
15 November 2022 - A new state-of-the-art research facility at Harefield Hospital, led by a team of research nurses, was opened on Monday 14 November 2022 at a ceremony by the pioneer of cardiothoracic surgery, Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub.

Meet the new crop of Charity-funded fellows 
1 November 2022 - Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Charity-funded research fellowship, which will allow them to conduct their own research, generously funded by the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity.

Using a musical app to help children with asthma
27 October 2022 - An exciting new research study, led by Professor Sejal Saglani, aims to determine whether a musical device app can help children with asthma.

Personalised medicine research for lung transplant patients secures funding 
24 October 2022 - A study looking to develop a personalised medicine approach to antifungal treatment in lung transplant patients has been awarded funding by Pfizer and will be led by Dr Anna Reed.

Career recognition for Professor William Man
19 October 2022 - Congratulations to Professor William Man who has been promoted to professor as part of the 2022-23 academic promotions in King’s College London’s Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine.

Heart failure remission trial gets green light
20 September 2022 - A clinical trial which aims to determine whether patients with a previous diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy that is now in complete remission can have the number of drugs they are given reduced, has been awarded funding by the British Heart Foundation.

Consultant finds thousands of UK women with hearts attacks are underdiagnosed
31 August 2022 - Research published by Professor Thomas Lüscher has found that thousands of women in the UK who have experienced heart attacks have missed out on appropriate treatments over the past 19 years.

Pharmacist secures funding for fungal research
16 August 2022 - A research study on invasive aspergillosis, a life-threatening infection in people with a weakened immune system, has been awarded funding from pharmaceutical company, Pfizer.

New drug shows promise for patients with IPF
15 June 2022 - An international clinical trial led by Professor Toby Maher has shown promising results for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Physiotherapist to undertake research on breathing pattern disorder
10 June 2022 - Lizzie Grillo, specialist adult physiotherapist, has secured funding to undertake a doctoral fellowship on breathing pattern dysfunction, a condition which causes breathlessness and limits the day to day function of patients.

One step closer to personalised medicine for DCM 
01 June 2022 - New research study led by researchers at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals has identified new subtypes of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a disease of the heart muscle.

Timing of heart surgery crucial, research shows
18 May 2022 - Valve replacement heart surgery should be performed earlier than previously thought for people with aortic stenosis – according to new research.

Research shows why some athletes are more likely to develop respiratory tract infections
11 May 2022 - New research led by colleagues at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals has helped shed light on the link between respiratory tract infections and athlete performance.

Royal Brompton cardiologist wins prestigious accolade
01 April 2022 - Dr Brian Halliday has been awarded the 2022 Young Author Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology, in recognition of outstanding research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure.

Clinical Research Facility at Royal Brompton Hospital awarded funded 
11 March 2022 - The Cardiorespiratory Clinical Research Facility at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals has been awarded funding as part of a successful bid by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Study reveals new genetic variants in severe Covid patients 
10 March 2022 - Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals have contributed to the world’s largest study of the genetics of critical Covid-19, revealing 16 new variants that predispose patients to critical illness.

International Women’s Day 2022: Catherine Renwick
8 March 2022 - To celebrate International Women's Day 2022 we interviewed Catherine Renwick, consultant paediatric nurse, about her journey in research and some the incredible women who inspire her.

International Women’s Day 2022: Dr Elizabeth Renzoni
8 March 2022 - To celebrate International Women's Day 2022 we interviewed Dr Elizabeth Renzoni, respiratory consultant, about her journey in research and some the incredible women who inspire her.

Charity funds new Harefield Clinical Research Facility 
18 February 2022 - A new clinical research facility will be created at Harefield Hospital dedicated to seeing research patients at the hospital, thanks to funding from the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity.

Long COVID: New review highlights impact on cardiovascular system
18 February 2022 - The wide-ranging effects of Long COVID and the associated issues for healthcare providers have been revealed in a new review of the major studies into the condition, co-authored by consultant cardiologist Professor Thomas Luscher.

Holistic approach to children and young people with long COVID
15 February 2022 - A promising new study has been awarded funding to develop a programme for children and young people living with long COVID, which combines specialist respiratory physiotherapy and psychology.

Remote blood monitoring for pulmonary hypertension 
26 January 2022 - Remote blood monitoring could be the future for patients with pulmonary hypertension, thanks to funding from Janssen Pharmaceuticals for a research project at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals.

Non-medical staff celebrated at annual research showcase
29 December 2021 - Virtual exercise programmes, handheld echocardiography and artificial intelligence were amongst some of the exciting projects at this year’s Annual Research Showcase, a celebration of the incredible research spearheaded by non-medical staff at our hospitals.

New scheme offers clinical academic career support 
21 December - Congratulations to three members of staff at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals who have been awarded funding through the newly launched Clinical Academic Career Development Programme.

Spotlight on hospital charity’s role in research 
16 December - Over the years Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity has been instrumental in funding some important and innovative research at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals.

Charity funds scleroderma research 
6 December - Research aiming to help predict the progression of lung disease in patients with scleroderma has been awarded funding from Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with scleroderma and Raynaud's phenomenon.

Paediatric team ride another wave of AI grant success 
2 December - A study which aims to train an artificial intelligence system to diagnose ciliary dysfunction in patients with chronic lung diseases has been awarded over £500,000.

Harefield Hospital recruits first UK patient to international paediatric drug trial 
6 October - Researchers at Harefield Hospital have successfully recruited the first UK patient for a study looking into the effects of a cholesterol-lowering drug in children and young people with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity helps fund another round of fellowships 
4 October - Congratulations to three members of staff who have been awarded research fellowships thanks to funding from Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity.

Researchers to use patients own immune cells to combat lung transplant rejection 
20 September - Could the use of patients own ‘treated’ immune cells help prevent lung transplant rejection? That’s what researchers will attempt to find out thanks to £1.86M in funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

Transplant consultant wins prestigious MRC funding 
16 September - Dr Anna Reed has been awarded funding through the Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Academic Research Partnership (CARP) programme for her research into fungal infections.

GRADUATE-ing from the pandemic
13 September - In this feature, we spoke with the allergy research team, who, despite the challenges of the pandemic, managed to recruit all the participants required for one of their allergy studies.

Young Investigator Award for Dr Richard Jones 
7 September - Dr Richard Jones was selected as a winner of the Young Investigator Award for 2021 at the ESC Congress for his research into the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Inaugural research publication competition selects its first winner
18 August - A research publication, authored by Dr Brian Halliday, specialist registrar at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals (RBHH), has won the first annual ‘Cardiovascular Research Centre (CRC) publication award’ in 2021.

Royal Brompton researchers fill knowledge gap in adult congenital heart disease
3 August - Researchers at Royal Brompton Hospital have created a simple test to determine the risks associated with surgery for adults with congenital heart disease.

Royal Brompton researcher recognised for his work in cardiomyopathy
28 July - Dr Brian Halliday has been awarded £1.1 million in research funding from the British Heart Foundation to investigate if a bespoke version of Coenzyme Q10 could be a treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy.

Industry partner funds heart failure research fellow 
01 July - Funding has been awarded by Abbott, a medical devices and health care company, to support a research fellow for two years within the heart failure team at our hospitals..

Harefield team wins government funding for Artificial Intelligence programme 
16 June - A team led by Dr William Man has been awarded £1.32 million in funding from the NHS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab as part of the AI in Health and Care Award, to be used to help improve the diagnosis of lung diseases in primary care.

International recognition for Dr William Man
25 May - Congratulations to Dr William Man who has been awarded a Mid-Career Research Achievement Award from the American Thoracic Society (ATS), for his significant contributions to the practice of pulmonary rehabilitation.

International success for young researcher
19 May - Congratulations to Dr Upasana Tayal, cardiology registrar at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, who was selected as this year's winner of the Young Investigator Award by the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC).

Could the use of hourglass stents improve blood flow and reduce angina?
17 May - Could hourglass stents be used to help patients who suffer from chest pain (angina) caused by Ischaemia with Normal Coronary Arteries (INOCA)? That’s the question researchers hope to answer, thanks to funding from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Advanced lung cancer study awarded £2 million
12 May - Professor Eric Lim and his team have been awarded almost £2 million to conduct a trial into the current treatment options for patients with advanced lung cancer.

Risk of mortality from Covid-19 can be identified using five health measurements
10 May - The risk of mortality for Covid-19 patients can be identified using five measurements of health, a study by specialists at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals has found.

“Researcher of the Year” award for Dr Arachchillage
27 April - Dr Deepa Arachchillage, consultant haematologist at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, has been awarded “Researcher of the Year” in recognition of her outstanding contribution to clinical research.

New Charity-backed venture funds first crop of research projects
23 April - Myocardial disease, bronchiectasis and improving catheter ablations are just some of the themes that have successfully secured funding from a new scheme supported by the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity.

British Science Week 2021: Dr Siobhan Carr
11 March - In this final post for British Science Week Dr Carr talks about her research which aims to reduce the amount of daily medication that patients with cystic fibrosis need to take.

British Science Week 2021: Zainab Khanbhai
11 March - In this instalment for British Science Week we asked Zainab Khanbhai to reflect on her work and the crucial role pharmacists play in research.

British Science Week 2021: Professor Sabine Ernst
10 March - Continuing our celebration of British Science Week we asked Professor Ernst to reflect on the research she does and how it translates into her clinical work.

British Science Week 2021: Dr Anand Shah
9 March - To celebrate British Science Week we’re highlighting some of the important work our researchers are tackling. In this first instalment we asked Dr Shah to share with us his research and the particular clinical challenges he’s addressing.

New research helps identify treatment plans for patients diagnosed with PIMS-TS
25 February -  A new research study will help clinicians to identify which patients with a new syndrome, called paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome (PIMS-TS), will go on to become very sick, and help determine the best treatment.

WHAM study gets the go-go from NIHR
28 January - A research study has been awarded funding to determine whether singing classes can help people maintain the health benefits seen after undertaking pulmonary rehabilitation.

Virtual showcase highlights innovative research
31 December - Remote drug monitoring, virtual outpatient clinics and artificial intelligence were just some of the projects at this year’s Annual Research Showcase (ARS). 

Research staff recognised in regional awards
23 December - Research staff working in both the adult intensive care unit and the cystic fibrosis (CF) team at the Trust have been recognised at this year’s North West London Clinical Research Awards.

Trust study shows inhaled nitric oxide may help patients with COVID-19 pneumonia
16 November - A recently published study, led by clinicians at the Trust, has shown that inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) given to patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, significantly improves oxygen levels.

Trust researchers begin Hayfever study ahead of spring
12 November - A new study aims to determine whether a novel drug, given alongside an established immunotherapy treatment, will improve effectiveness, help shorten the treatment period for patients and increase the prolong effectiveness.

‘Simple’ innovation to ventilators could increase oxygen supplies at hospitals
28 October - A ‘simple’ modification of domiciliary non-invasive ventilators could significantly reduce oxygen consumption by hospitals treating Covid-19-related respiratory failure, a study by engineering and medical specialists at Royal Brompton Hospital has found.

Physios and scientists lead the way in Charity-funded research
7 October - Four members of staff have successfully been awarded funding from the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity to conduct research.

Record breaking number of fellowships awarded to Trust
21 September - Five members of staff have successfully been awarded a HEE/NIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship – a programme which supports early career researchers.

Patients with heart rhythm problems can benefit from invasive ablation treatments
1 September - Catheter ablation as the first line treatment for patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) offers similar clinical improvements to surgical ablation, according to a study led by researchers at the Trust.

The impact of COVID-19: An interview with Dr John Wort
31 July - We spoke with Dr Wort about his work at the Trust and how COVID-19 has impacted on both his clinical and research work.

Trust research shows link between blood vessel disease and severe COVID-19
17 July - Research published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has shown clinical observations, imaging tests and point-of-care blood tests are all important indicators of pulmonary angiopathy (blood vessel disease) in COVID-19 and could help determine disease severity.

'Freezing’ lung procedure improves symptoms in patients with chronic bronchitis
26 June - A 30-minute lung ‘freezing’ procedure can improve symptoms in patients with chronic bronchitis, according to a recently published study led by researchers at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

Physiologist awarded research fellowship
3 June - Suhani Patel has been awarded a clinical doctoral research fellowship to undertake research which aims to test a relatively new type of breathing test, known as impulse oscillometry, in patients with IPF.

Could an app be the future to monitoring hearing loss in CF?
18 May - There is an increased risk of hearing loss in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) due to damaging effects from the antibiotics they require to treat infection, according to a study published in Thorax.

Trust researchers at forefront of COVID-19 research
17 May -  Specialists at the Trust's severe respiratory failure service have established a clear link between Covid-19 and blood clotting, by using hi-tech CT scans to take images of lung function in patients most seriously affected by the disease. 

Supporting global research efforts for COVID-19
1 May - As the world attempts to deal with the pandemic, clinicians and scientists around the world, including our own at the Trust, are working around the clock to find effective treatments.

Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre is redesignated
23 April - Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) has been re-designated an AHSC by the National Institute of Health Research and NHS England/Improvement for a further five years. 

Winners announced for research photo competition
1 April - What do cells in the nose, primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and arrhythmia have in common? They were the topics of this year's winners from the annual research photo competition at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust. 

Invasive procedures no better than medication for coronary heart disease, study shows 
30 March - An international study has found that patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) who undergo invasive interventions don’t do any better than patients who take medications only.

Professor Jane Davies recognised with leadership award
7 March - Professor Davies has been awarded a prestigious National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator award, given to the most outstanding leaders of patient-based research within the research community and beyond.

International Women's Day - An interview with Dr Claire Nolan
6 March - In our final interview we spoke with Dr Claire Nolan, research physiotherapist, about her research aspirations, what she enjoys most about working at Harefield Hospital and the women she looks up to.

International Women's Day - An interview with Dr Vennela Boyalla
6 March - Continuing our celebration of International Women’s Day we sat down with Dr Vennela Boyalla, a cardiovascular research fellow, to talk with her about her dreams to cure HIV at age 8, changing the system and privilege.

International Women's Day - An interview with Geraldine Sloane
6 March - In this interview we shine the spotlight on Geraldine Sloane, cardiovascular research manager, about her day to day activities, her admiration for female CEOs and why maths was her Achilles heel.

International Women's Day - An interview with Alla Kashif
5 March - For this second interview we spoke with Alla Kashif, finance manager for research, about what inspires her, if spreadsheets can ever be exciting, and the struggles of juggling a career and family.

International Women's Day - An interview with Professor Claire Hogg
4 March - We interviewed five women from the Trust as part of our International Women's Day series. In this first interview we spoke with Professor Claire Hogg, a leading clinician in the field of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD).

A step closer to personalised medicine for severe asthma
13 February - An international study looking at personalised medicine for patients with severe asthma has been awarded £2.3 million from the Medical Research Council (MRC).

‘Personal pollution’ study awarded funding
10 February - A study investigating the impact of indoor and outdoor pollution on people’s physical health has been awarded £2.9 million in funding, which will allow researchers to examine the biological and physical aspects of pollution and its potential for cell and tissue damage.

Trust co-funds 10 respiratory projects
7 February - Research looking into COPD, asthma and IPF are just some of the projects that have been awarded funding via a joint funding call from Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (ICHT).

Face mask can help combat mild cases of sleep condition
3 December - A night time face mask can improve energy levels and vitality in people who suffer from sleep apnoea, according to a study published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

Growing ‘mini-organs’ to test new CF drugs
21 November - A ground-breaking new study is testing potential new cystic fibrosis (CF) drugs on ‘mini-intestines’ grown from the cells of patients with the disease.

More research funding into keyhole surgery for atrial fibrillation
19 November - A research project comparing two types of surgical techniques for patients with long standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) has been awarded further funding to determine the long-term effects in patients.

International recognition for Harefield research team
14 November - It's been a month of successes for the respiratory research group at Harefield, who have been recognised for their work on pulmonary rehabilitation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Community pharmacy - the future of cardiovascular care?
13 November - The future of cardiovascular care is in community pharmacy, according to senior pharmacist Zainab Khanbhai. We delve in a little deeper into the project that aims to put community pharmacy on the map. 

Trust lung expert warns about potential dangers of vaping
12 November - The fluid in e-cigarettes may cause a potentially life threatening lung inflammation in those who are susceptible, according to research published.

Royal Brompton Clinical Trials team scores hat trick at Clinical Research Awards
8 November - The cystic fibrosis clinical trials team celebrated three well-deserved wins at the North West London Clinical Research Awards. 

£2.5 million EU grant to help save NHS patients fighting for life
7 November - A new multi-million pound EU-funded research project could help NHS staff provide life-saving treatment to some of the country’s most ill patients.

Advocating research for non-medical staff
5 November - When Dr Sam Irving applied to become a training advocate for the NIHR, she knew she wanted to help other healthcare scientists and non-medical staff consider a career in research.

Funding for new heart scanning technique
30 October 2019 - How does the microscopic arrangement of a person’s heart cells affect their long-term heart health? It’s the question researchers at the Trust are hoping to determine.

New research offers hope for IPF treatment
29 October 2019 - Researchers have discovered that blocking a protein called interleukin-11 can reverse scarring in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). 

New data hub to help speed up lung research
8 October 2019 - A new respiratory data hub has been set up which will give researchers access to data, helping them find new treatments for lung diseases. 

Trust consultants awarded academic promotions by the National Heart and Lung Institute
7 October 2019 - Nine consultants at the Trust have been recognised in the National Heart and Lung Institute’s (NHLI) recent academic promotions.

Interstitial Lung Disease study awarded more funding
3 October 2019 - A trial looking to determine the best treatment for connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung diseases (CTD-ILD) has been granted additional funding.

Big wins at Annual Research Showcase
27 September 2019 - Post-traumatic stress disorder, artificial intelligence and intensive care research were just some of the projects on show at this year’s successful Annual Research Showcase (ARS).

Research funding awarded to Trust pharmacist
22 August 2019 - Sian Bentley has been awarded a pre-clinical academic fellowship (PCAF) which will allow her to develop the skills and experience she will require to apply for further research funding.

Hope for patients with ILD associated scleroderma
31 July 2019 - The drug Nintedanib has been shown to help patients with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) associated scleroderma, according to data published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Respiratory leadership role for Trust clinician
15 July 2019 - Dr Peter George has been appointed the new Respiratory Specialty Lead for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) North West London Clinical Research Network (CRN).

Attendees delight at research on show
4 July 2019 - Sketching the heart, honeycomb lungs and beat boxing were just some of the creative stands on display at this year’s research open day.

Winners announced for Charity-funded fellowships
24 June 2019 - Suhani Patel and Louise Moss were the recipients of the first ever research fellowships funded by the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity.

Lifesaving research on show at Royal Brompton Hospital open day
19 June 2019 - The latest innovations in medical research will be showcased at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust’s seventh annual heart and lung research open day on Tuesday 2 July 2019.

Café Scientifique on intensive care draws in audience
23 May 2019 - Patients, carers and the wider public were invited to learn more about how failing lungs and hearts are kept alive, with a talk from Dr Brijesh Patel.

CF fungal disease research wins vital funds
22 May 2019 - Research into fungal diseases, a condition that affects many CF patients, has been granted funding through the Vertex Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Research Innovation award.

Study focusing on priorities of CF patients wins funding
16 May 2019 - The values and outcomes most important to patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their families will take centre stage in a new research study.

New device for diagnosing heart disease receives £1.6 million funding
15 May 2019 - A new device to help clinicians better diagnose cardiovascular disease (CVD), has received £1.6 million funding to be developed.

Busy bee researchers launch Heart Hive for patients
13 May 2019 - A new web platform, called the Heart Hive, will make it easier for patients with heart muscle diseases to take part in research. 

Rare lung disease event proves a success
10 May 2019 - Patients with rare lung diseases were invited to a special education day at the Trust to explore the needs of patients. 

International study finds UK has poor outcomes for respiratory conditions
17 April 2019 - A study published by the British Medical Journal has found that the UK has one of the poorest outcomes for patients with respiratory conditions. 

Trust staff successfully complete research programme
12 March 2019 - Twelve members of staff successfully completed the Starting Out in Research programme, run by the Imperial College Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC).

Artificial Intelligence is the theme of new Trust-led research
11 March 2019 - Professor Claire Hogg, paediatric respiratory consultant, has been awarded funding from NIHR for a study which aims to train Artificial Intelligence to be able to diagnose PCD.

BHF awards funding to develop software for new imaging technique
31 January 2019 - Dr Jennifer Keegan, principal physicist at the Trust and adjunct reader at Imperial College London, and her research team are the recipients of a Translational Award from the BHF.

'Twisted lazy tong' wins research photo competition
29 January 2019 - A photograph showing a heart model and brightly coloured lolly-sticks has been crowned as the winning photo at the Trust’s inaugural research photo competition.

Trust recruits lion's share of patients for national drug study
17 January 2019 - A clinical trial led by Professor Toby Maher has managed to recruit more than half of the overall target of patients from Royal Brompton Hospital alone. 

Alternate treatment option for sleep apnoea patients being trialled at the Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals
4 January 2019 - Research which uses a neck device to treat a type of sleep apnoea has been given the green light thanks to funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) through their Research for Patient Benefit grant. 

New trial highlights need for lifelong medication for people with dilated cardiomyopathy 
11 December 2018 - Dilated cardiomyopathy – a condition where the heart is enlarged and function is impaired usually due to a viral or genetic cause, is one of the leading causes of heart failure in the UK and the most common reason for people needing a heart transplant.

Royal Brompton consultant appointed medical director of leading national charity
10 December 2018 - Dr Nick Hopkinson, honorary consultant chest physician at Royal Brompton Hospital and reader in respiratory medicine at Imperial College, has been appointed medical director of the British Lung Foundation (BLF). 

Royal Brompton and NHLI host 12th annual Paul Wood lecture
7 December 2018 - Royal Brompton Hospital and the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) welcomed Marc Humbert, professor of respiratory medicine at the Université Paris-Saclay, for the 12th annual Paul Wood Cardiovascular Lecture on Wednesday 28 November, entitled ‘An update on pulmonary arterial hypertension and future directions.’ 

Researchers invite patients back to update them on research results
6 December 2018 - Patients who took part in several research projects for COPD received a very welcome invitation when Trust researchers invited them back to the Trust to hear the outcome of the research studies they took part in. 

Cafe Scientifique on the future of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis proves a hit with audience
27 November 2018 - Personalised medicine and artificial intelligence were just some of the talking points at an evening event with Professor Toby Maher, a respiratory consultant at the Trust who specialises in Interstitial Lung Diseases. 

Harefield celebrates Trust-led research
20 November 2018 - Harefield Hospital was host to the Annual Research Showcase 8 November, with staff from across the Trust presenting their research through posters and oral presentations.

Career recognition for Trust researchers
18 October 2018 - Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust now boasts an additional seven professors and two readers in its ranks thanks to recognition for clinicians, and their ongoing contribution to furthering our understanding of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. 

Dr Babu-Narayan appointed Associate Medical Director for British Heart Foundation 
16 October 2018 - Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, consultant cardiologist at the Trust and clinical senior lecturer at Imperial College London, has been appointed the Associate Medical Director for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).  

Ambulatory oxygen improves quality of life for patients with pulmonary fibrosis
4 October 2018 - Through the AmbOx trial, which has been published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Dr Elisabetta Renzoni and collaborators have shown that the use of portable oxygen (ambulatory oxygen) improves the quality of life of patients suffering from pulmonary fibrosis. 

Dr Peter Saunders recognised for outstanding contribution to research
21 September 2018 - A Trust clinician has been recognised for his contribution to research in awards announced earlier this month.

Fellowship award for lead physiotherapist
9 August 2018 - Elizabeth Grillo, a lead physiotherapist at Royal Brompton Hospital, has been awarded a pre-doctoral clinical academic fellowship (PCAF) which will allow her to develop the skills and experience required to access doctoral level funding.

International heart failure study recruits first UK patient
1 August 2018 - An international clinical trial investigating a new device for people with heart failure has recruited its first UK patient at Harefield Hospital.

Trust hosts a second successful AHSC seminar series
20 July 2018 - Pollution, allergies and pulmonary arterial hypertension were the topics of discussion at this year’s spring seminar series organised by the Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC) and hosted at Royal Brompton Hospital. 

Research takes centre stage at open day
20 July 2018 - Virtual reality headsets, dancing for health and growing bacteria were among the range of activities on offer at the seventh annual heart and lung research day, held recently at Royal Brompton Hospital. 

Trust physiotherapist becomes second UK recipient of CF Trust fellowship
20 July 2018 - Ciara Long, an advanced rotational physiotherapist at Royal Brompton Hospital, has been awarded a physiotherapist fellowship from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, making her only the second person in the UK, and the first in London, to be given the award.

Trust research collaboration helps identify novel genes associated with heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension
27 June 2018 - A recent study has helped to identify four new genes thought to be linked to heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH).

Clinical trial completes recruitment ahead of schedule
27 June 2018 - A Trust-led research study comparing ablation techniques in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), has managed to meet its recruitment target one month ahead of schedule.

Dietitian awarded funding for paediatric research
26 June 2018 - Amy Calvert, a highly specialised dietitian in paediatric cardiology, has been awarded funding by the Paediatric Intensive Care Society (PICS) for her research into chylothorax, a condition characterised by the build-up of fluid (chyle) in the lungs causing breathing difficulties, which affects some children after heart or lung surgery.

Trust collaborates with US biotechnology company for blood-based testing of lung cancer recurrence
27 June 2018 - Mr Eric Lim, consultant thoracic surgeon at Royal Brompton Hospital and reader in thoracic surgery at Imperial College London, has successfully secured a collaboration with Guardant Health, a US-based biotechnology company that specialises in genomic cancer testing and is a world-leader in the field of non-invasive diagnostics.

New drug shows early promise in clinical trial for patients with IPF
21 June 2018 - An international clinical trial, led by Professor Toby Maher, which involved 17 centres in the UK, Italy and Ukraine, has shown some promising results for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). 

New research shows Tai Chi can improve quality of life for patients with COPD
5 May 2018 - Research by a respiratory expert from Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust has shown that the ancient art of Tai Chi is a lower-cost, more easily accessible alternative to conventional...

Trust is leading partner in £2 million study of dilated cardiomyopathy
29 March 2018 - Experts at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust are to be at the forefront of a £2 million study into the potentially deadly heart condition dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Dr Louise Fleming awarded Asthma UK Fellowship
27 March 2018 - Dr Louise Fleming, paediatric respiratory consultant at the Trust and clinical senior lecturer at Imperial College London, has been awarded £250,000 from Asthma UK for a Senior Clinical Fellowship.

Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship for physiotherapist Ruth Barker
21 March 2018 - Ruth Barker, research physiotherapist, has been awarded a Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship (CDRF) in the Integrated Clinical Academic Programme, which is funded by Health Education England (HEE).

Clinical researcher leads international review of airway techniques
19 March 2018 - Dr Michelle Chatwin, consultant physiotherapist at the Trust, recently co-led an international workshop with researchers from across the world, to look at airway clearance techniques in Neuromuscular.

Feature story: Living with IPF
15 March 2018 - A patient story by Jose Luis Gonzalez Nieto who suffers from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

British Heart Foundation funds research into MRI scar imaging in the heart
14 March 2018 - Dr Jenny Keegan, principal physicist in the cardiovascular magnetic resonance unit at Royal Brompton Hospital and adjunct reader at Imperial College, has been awarded a research grant from the British Heart Foundation.

Celebrating Rare Diseases Day 2018
1 March 2018 - On Wednesday 28 February researchers at Royal Brompton Hospital marked international rare disease day with an information stand to help increase awareness of rare diseases.

Researcher development programme - case studies
15 February 2018 - We sat down with Abigail Roberts and Rupal Patel to talk to them about their experience of the researcher development programme.

Women in Science a personal reflection
9 February 2018 - Associate director of research Dr Jenny Rivers takes a look back over the past week celebrating women in science and research and the benefit of encouraging more into this field of work.

Changing clinical practice; balancing research with clinical and other commitments
8 February 2018 - Dr Louise Fleming took some time to talk about her research, her motivations and who inspires her.

A day in the life of a principal pharmacy technician
7 February 2018 - Vibha Teli, from Royal Brompton's pharmacy department, gives a glimpse into the work she does that enables clinical trials to be run at the hospital.

International Women and Girls in Science Day 2018 - Dr Samantha Irving
6 February 2018 - International Women and Girls in Science Day 2018 - Dr Samantha Irving

International Women and Girls in Science Day 2018 - Dr Deepa Arachchillage
5 February 2018 - International Women and Girls in Science Day 2018 - Dr Deepa Arachchillage

International Women and Girls in Science Day 2018
1 February 2018 - The Trust is marking International Women and Girls in Science day 2018 with a series of articles highlighting the range of women who work at the Trust and in a range of roles within research.