The digital health revolution

Researchers from across disciplines are looking at how information and communication technologies can be used to manage and improve health and wellbeing.

Research projects

Software platform designed to create, run and visualise 3D agent-based simulations | Computer Science

Surrey, as part of a consortium of partners, released the BioDynaMo v1.0 - a software platform designed to visualise 3D agent-based simulations The project, supported by Dr Roman Bauer, is designed to help scientists perform simulations of systems, such as a study of the spreading of viruses in indoor spaces, specifically, COVID-19 in droplets and aerosols.

Development of mobile 3D x-ray scanner for animals | Engineering

Students at the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, as part of multidisciplinary team, designed a low-dose radiation mobile scanner for animals. Visiting Professor Carol Lane, who teaches across Surrey’s Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences said: “The scanner uses low-dose radiation and makes things safer for animals, so they don’t have to be moved or transported when injured.”

New app to support palliative care in Ethiopia| Long Term Conditions

A mobile phone app was developed by researchers, supported by Professor Nicola Carey, to provide assistance with pain and symptom control as part of palliative care for patients in Ethiopia. The Ayzot app was created as part of a collaboration between the University Surrey, the University of Strathclyde, Hospice Ethiopia, the Federal Ministry of Health and Hello Doctor Ethiopia, an Ethiopian-based software company.

Sentimental audio memories in dementia care | Music and Media

Researchers have demonstrated the value of recorded sounds for inducing positive mood changes, triggering memory and conversation in people with dementia and their family carers. The project, led by Professor David Frohlich, is examining soundscapes representing happy or peaceful memories. 2019-20.

A new SARS-CoV-2 rapid point of care diagnostics platform | Video Communication

A team at the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing, led by Dr Anil Fernando, worked with consortium partners to develop a SARS-CoV-2 rapid point of care diagnostics platform, known as Virus Hunter 6 (VH6). The technology relies on a reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) and a hand-held smart diagnostic device to provide highly specific 96.8% and highly sensitive 98.6% results for up to six patients simultaneously in 20 minutes.

Person wrapping tape measure around their stomach

Genetic factors influencing adult obesity take effect in early childhood | Bioinformatics

Dr Alexessander Da Silva Couto Alves analysed measures such as BMI and growth rates from 2 weeks to 13 years of age of more than 22,000 children and compared these to variations in their genetic make-up. This enabled the researchers to identify common genetic variants associated with the peaks and troughs in BMI and their timings in childhood.