Much of the research conducted at HNR is based on observational and intervention studies in human volunteers in our state-of-the-art volunteer suite. Here we maintain first class facilities for our scientists as well a relaxed environment for volunteers.
The volunteer suite facilities include a comfortable lounge and dining area for volunteers participating in studies and a well-equipped diet kitchen for food preparation.
Depending on the particular requirements of a study, volunteers may have their body composition measured using the BodPod (measures body density by air displacement), DXA (bone scanner), Tanita equipment (measures fat and lean tissue) or pQCT (produces an image of a slice of the forearm or leg). The volunteer suite also has a range of equipment for measuring vascular and endothelial function; this allows us to assess a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Volunteers participating in studies that involve medical procedures such as blood or tissue sampling, intravenous glucose tolerance tests will use the volunteer suite procedure room which is managed by trained medical staff and members of the research team.