Nowgen

Description

Nowgen is a centre of excellence in public engagement, education and professional training in biomedicine.

We are part of the Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (MBRC) within the Research and Innovation Division of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences at The University of Manchester.

Nowgen also has close links and collaborations with many other academic and clinical departments, institutes, organisations and businesses.

Public involvement in research

Involving Patients in Research

As part of the Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (MBRC) and Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit (BRU), Nowgen helps researchers involve patients and the wider public in the research process. Nowgen leads the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) strategy for the MBRC and BRU, holding training and creating tools to support researchers.

Key activities include:

• As one of the work package leaders for the EUPATI project (European Patient Academy on Therapeutic Innovation), we are helping to involve patients and the public in the development of new medicines more effectively.
• Researching young people’s information needs before participating in clinical trials and producing prototype resources to help them make an informed choice;

Engaging the Wider Public

Nowgen facilitates dialogue with diverse audiences about biomedicine; we empower the public to make informed decisions about their healthcare, inspire young people to explore aspects of biomedicine and ultimately contribute to a society in which biomedical research flourishes.

Key activities include:

• Working with creative partners, museums and festivals to engage different communities, such as partnering with artists and teenagers with Cystic Fibrosis to develop a new website about gene therapy;
• Running public dialogue events, exploring topics such as stem cells, personalised medicine and obesity and public open days for research institutes;
• Encouraging school students to try molecular biology techniques and learn about the research process.

http://www.nowgen.org.uk/PublicEngagementandSchool/PublicProgrammes.php