As the name suggests it is an infection of the gastrointestinal tract which is composed of organs such as the intestine and stomach. Infections can occur in the presence of many different microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. Symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection consist of mild fever, and projectile vomiting and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Newcastle University is working to limit the spread of gastrointestinal infections by increasing the safety of UK food supplies and regulations. The university recently announced that “Experts will do-lead a new state-of-the-art health unit into the study of gastrointestinal infections.”
The University of East Anglia will host the unit with the reward being part of an £80m nationwide research funding program. Dr Marie McIntyre from the university’s School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES) will be “Improving the evidence base for prevention of gastrointestinal infections” and quotes “…we are focused on providing policy-appropriate ‘living’ evidence collation and synthesis, and risk assessment tools and mechanisms to help keep the UK’s food supplies safe”.
As a student who's part of the SNES community, it is exhilarating to see Newcastle University getting involved in research such as this...
Reflecting on research and potential prevention of the coronavirus, Newcastle University commented that a key responsibility of the unit is to strengthen the UK’s readiness for a potential future pandemic caused by gestational infections. “Through strengthened diagnostics, outbreak detection, prevention strategies, and pandemic preparedness, this project demonstrates how the research happening across the Norwich Research Park aims to protect public health and foster future leaders in health protection.”
Additionally, as a student who's part of the SNES community, it is exhilarating to see Newcastle University getting involved in research such as this and being a perfect example of how students attending could one day change the health and science industry. It is clear that public health is at the forefront of this research and the development towards prevention and cure of gastrointestinal infections.
The information in this article is taken from the NCL website and The Press Office.
