We specialise in the study of the biological mechanisms associated with cancer, diabetes, heart disease, blindness and various diseases associated with the ageing population.
Our members conduct pioneering research in these areas, with a determination to investigate the underlying causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of human disease.
We are also exploiting the remarkable opportunities made possible by recent molecular advances: revolutionary changes in biomedicine and biotechnology that will soon transform whole industries and economies.
Results from our research will transform our understanding of human biology and pathology by giving us a real understanding of their very complex molecular aspects.
BMSRI is actively pursuing these goals by applying a range of rapidly developing techniques to a variety of problems in human health.
In addition we are committed to providing scientific support for the knowledge-intensive, high-added value biotechnological and biomedical industries, which are establishing themselves in Northern Ireland, and which may reasonably be expected to make substantial contributions to economic renewal.
Professor Peter Flatt holds a BSc Hons and PhD from Aston University. He was a Research Fellow at the University of Uppsala, Sweden (1978-80) before taking up an academic appointment at Surrey University in 1980 . He is currently Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Ulster University, a position that he has held since 1989.
Professor Flatt is Head of the Diabetes Research Group, having served as Director of Biomedical Sciences Research Centre (1992-94) and Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences (1994-97).
He is author of over 500 full scientific peer-reviewed papers (h-index 55) on various aspects of diabetes and editor of four major diabetes research texts including New Antidiabetic Drugs (Smith-Gordon, 1990) and Nutrient Regulation of Insulin Secretion (Portland Press, 1992).
Professor Flatt is founding Chairman (1991-) of the Islet Study Group of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), member of the EASD Council (1997-01), Scientific Secretary and Committee Member of Diabetes UK (1991-97; 2001-04) and a member of the Grants Review Board of the Juvenile Diabetes Federation International (1996-99).
He is a recipient of the Mary Jane Kugal Award (1999) of Juvenile Diabetes Federation International, Biochemical Society Medal (2005), and was elected to membership of Royal Irish Academy (2006), Ulster University Distinguished Senior Research Fellowship (2006) and Diabetes UK Dorothy Hodgkin Award Lecturer (2008). Patent holder, Academic co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer/Director of Diabetica Ltd.
Research Interests
Insulin secretion
pancreatic islet cell function and demise
antidiabetic drugs and gene therapy
Brain and gut peptides
Teaching Interests
Endocrinology
Physiology
Administrative Roles
Head Diabetes Research Group
Course Director BSc Hons Biomedical Science Undergraduate Programmes
