Imperial and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are launching a joint research centre in health resilience.
The Centre will reveal the human health impacts of environmental changes such as pollution.
The Imperial-TUM Centre for Health Resilience in a Changing Planet will bring together Europe's top scientists, industry experts and policymakers to accelerate research and innovation in critical areas.
"This new Centre brings together world-leading expertise and cutting-edge facilities from two of the world's top universities." Professor Hugh Brady President of Imperial College London
The Centre's first major research area is focused on the impact of particle pollutants on human health, with scientists preparing to carry out pioneering research into the health impacts of pollutants such as plastic micro and nano-particles.
Tiny plastic particles which accumulate in water, air and the food chain are gaining access into the human body via the gastrointestinal tract and the lungs.
Researchers aim to better understand how these plastics may damage the body by identifying the pollutants that trigger inflammation and tissue damage.
Chronic inflammation is recognised as the cause of degenerative diseases, organ failure, cancer and dementia, strengthening the urgent need to understand the relationship between inflammation and pollutants.
"Together, Imperial and TUM will tackle this topic for the sake of humankind." Professor Thomas F. Hofmann President of TUM
The researchers also aim to develop highly sensitive sensors and molecular detection tools to measure and quantify tissue-damaging pollutants in the environment.
The detection and quantification of pollutants, in particular, plastic micro and nano-particles, is currently very difficult.
Scientists will develop innovative ways to detect and quantify these particles in water, soil, the food chain and the human body.
This advance in technology and better understanding of the distribution of harmful pollutants will be key to making recommendations to industry on improved production processes to avoid the generation of harmful particles. It will also provide important information to governmental bodies on potential concerns for human health.
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said: "The climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution threaten human health and society.
"This new Centre brings together world-leading expertise and cutting-edge facilities from two of the world's top universities to confront these challenges head-on.
"In its first major research focus, it will examine how particle pollutants, including microplastics, trigger inflammation and tissue damage, paving the way for new detection tools and solutions."
Professor Thomas F. Hofmann, President of TUM: "Understanding the mechanisms how environmental changes undermine health resilience is critical to developing effective preventive measures and restoring the capacity of individuals and communities to maintain health in the context of a changing environment.
"Together, Imperial and TUM will tackle this topic for the sake of humankind."
Flagship research projects
The two universities have initially funded five projects at the Centre through their Joint Academy of Doctoral Studies (JADS) programme. The JADS programme develops clusters of PhD students who have access to world-leading academic supervisors and state-of-the art facilities at both institutions. The programme is led by Imperial's Professor Martin Wilkins and TUM's Professor Percy Knolle.
- Deciphering the biophysical aspects of mucociliary defense against fine dust pollution to understand patient-specific vulnerability to airway dysfunction. Led by Dr Eric Keaveny (Imperial) and Dr Janna Nawroth (TUM)
- Mechanisms determining the protective impact of the farm environment in the development of early-life. Led by Professor Clare Lloyd (Imperial) and Dr Constanze Jakwerth (TUM)
- Generation of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Water: Implications for Health and Environmental Policy. Led by Dr Daniel Valero Huerta (Imperial) and Professor Miranda Schreurs (TUM).
- Allergies in the modern world: Investigating the impact of microplastic exposure on the skin-gut and skin-lung axis and its influence on allergy development. Led by Professor Jessica Strid (Imperial) and Professor Tilo Biedermann (TUM).
- Microplastics Exposures and Nanoplastics in Atheromas: Implications for Cardiovascular Events. Led by Professor Manuel Mayr (Imperial) and Professor Lars Maegdefessel (TUM).
Imperial and TUM
Imperial and TUM have been close collaborators for decades. In 2018 the two universities established a strategic partnership to develop ever-closer ties through a series of new institutional collaborations.
These include the Imperial-TUM Zero Pollution Network which brings together scientists, industry, governments and other partners to develop and translate solutions to some of the greatest sustainability challenges and combined threats of global pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change.
