We have research facilities and expertise that both supports the work of the research groups and teams at HNR and can be used on collaborative projects or for external contracts. To read more about these facilities please click on the links below.
The Dietary Assessment Team focuses on the innovation and advancement of methodology to assess dietary intake through the development of novel techniques for dietary assessment, enhancements to food composition databases and provision of expert guidance. We specialise in the use of diet diaries for use in national surveys and cohorts and dietary intervention studies. This work underpins many of our research projects and is a vital source of evidence for broader diet and population health policy.
The Nutritional BioAnalysis Team runs a specialist laboratory for the measurement of biochemical, functional and nutritional biomarkers. The team provides analytical support to HNR, to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey and to external collaborators. NBA has five main areas of expertise: manual chemistry, automated chemistry, immunoassay, chromatography and quantitative mass spectrometry. The team provides expert advice on sample collection, method development, assay selection and data interpretation.
Trace Element Analytical Services
The Trace Element Status and Speciation Analysis Team (TESSA) provides trace elements analysis to HNR and external collaborators, but also provides a service to other academic and industrial organisations. The team runs a specialist laboratory for the measurement of trace elements in various biological matrices using Inductively coupled plasma spectrometries techniques , namely ICP-OES and DRC-ICP-MS. The team also provides specialist sample preparation (including microwave-assisted digestion) and advise on sample collection and assay selection. Methods are continuously being developed to suit the needs of research.
Volunteer Studies & Clinical Services
The Volunteer Studies & Clinical Services Team provides volunteer facilities to HNR research studies including a comfortable lounge and dining area , a well-equipped diet kitchen for food preparation and a wide range of research equipment (BodPod, DXA, pQCT, BIA, cIMT, FMD plus others). The Team also provides and manages the provision of medical procedures such as blood or tissue sampling and intravenous glucose tolerance tests.