• Question: Will your research affect people and if so how many people and in what way?

    Asked by 9willj to Antonia, Douglas, Hugh, Matt, Tom on 15 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Matthew Hurley

      Matthew Hurley answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      Hopefully – we’re trying to make bugs more susceptible to antibiotics – especially those that have become resistant to the ones we have. At the beginning we’re looking at a specific bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) that mainly causes infections in those with cystic fibrosis. If we can crack this we can then go on to look at other resistant bacteria causing other infections – MRSA, etc. There are 8000 people in the UK with CF. Millions across the world that would benefit from new antibiotics.

    • Photo: Antonia Hamilton

      Antonia Hamilton answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      My research will (I hope) affect a lot of people but not immediately. I study theories of how the brain works, and if we understand how the brain works that might help us deal with mental illnesses and developmental conditions such as autism. Because mental illness affects so many people, this research could help a lot of people, but it will probably take another 20 or more years for the results to be applied.

    • Photo: Hugh Roderick

      Hugh Roderick answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      I hope it will make farmers in Africa more able to feed themselves and their family and make money by being able to grow more bananas and that they will be healthier because they don’t have to use nasty chemicals to kill pests on their bananas. A lot of people (many millions) rely on cooking bananas and plantains for their food across Africa.

    • Photo: Tom Hardy

      Tom Hardy answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      My research helps us to test how effective security systems at airports area. Before equipment is used it must reach a certain standard and I ensure that this can be determined using science. This affects people by ensuring that security systems work properly and that people are prevented from taking dangerous things onto air planes. My research is relevant to every UK airport and millions of people pass through UK airports every year so I guess it affects lots of people. I like to think I am helping to keep them safe, but I also remember I am just one of many people involved.

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