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The Present Division of Science has evolved out of a tradition of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in the Biosciences and Environmental sciences area over a period of 30 to 40 years.
Currently the research of the Division encompasses two distinct areas, the first being Biomedical and Biological Sciences and, the second, Environmental Sciences.
Research into both of these areas is also carried out at the University within the Luton Institute of Research in the Applied Natural Sciences (LIRANS). More information on LIRANS can be found at beds.ac.uk/lirans
For more detailed information on research in, and relevant to, the Division please see individual staff research interests in the staff profiles section.
Research interests within the Biomedical and Biological Sciences area includes: inflammation; cell signalling; controlling mechanisms in inflammation; apoptosis; and free radicals and oxidant stress.
Such research is focussed in the following disease areas: atherosclerosis; Coeliac Disease; inflammatory bowel diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis.
We also have an interest in pedagogic research, mainly involving IT and the internet.
The research of the Division is often carried out in collaboration with other Universities and Teaching Hospitals, including Imperial College London, Kings College, London and the University of Cambridge, and the Pharmaceutical industry, a recent example being Celltech Chiroscince.
Details of other Biomedical and Biological Sciences research at University's Institute of Research in the Applied Natural Sciences (LIRANS) can be found at beds.ac.uk/lirans Findings from such research are presented at National and International conferences, such as the:
Full results are published in a range of journals including:
Research themes within the Division's Environmental Management and Science area include:
Volcanology, volcanic hazard and risk assessment, impact of volcanoes on human activity, emplacement of lava flows, volcanic history of Mount Etna (Sicily) and Fogo, Furnas, Povoaçao, Nordeste volcanoes (Azores) and the use of environmental monitors such as lichens and diatoms to; detect atmospheric pollution from industrial sources and volcanic plumes and past environmental changes.
Relevant environmental science research at the Luton Institute of Research in the Applied Natural Sciences (LIRANS) includes:
Development of bioassays, biosensors and chemical sensing systems for rapid environmental monitoring, toxicity testing and process control, e.g. protection of wastewater treatment plants and end-of-pipe monitoring of discharges to the environment.
Such research in undertaken in close collaboration with industrial and academic partners.
Other research includes the effects of temperature on cytotoxicity in prokaryotic cells; ecotoxicological studies using fish cell lines and other biological materials; effects of cryopreservation on cyanobacteria, fish cells, eggs and also embryos, reproductive and other cells.
Other environmental research is carried out within the Department of Tourism and Leisure into sustainable tourism development (Nepal); ecotourism; environmental planning and management for tourism, and other environmental aspects of tourism.
The Division has modern, well-equipped research laboratories and facilities, including those dedicated to cell and molecular biology and access to other facilities for applied human physiology (BASES accredited) within the Division of Sport.
Staff and students have access to excellent learning resources to support their research, including a well-stocked library, computer and quiet study areas.
Being close to London, staff and research students also have easy access to the British Library and libraries of the London Teaching Hospitals and Universities.
