Funding research

Researchers in labAsthma UK funds a world-class programme of research across the UK. To date, the charity has invested around £50 million in research to understand more about asthma and reduce the impact it has on people’s lives. This includes funding two Asthma UK Professors, four Research Fellows and a wide variety of individual research projects around the UK.

In Aberdeen, Asthma UK Senior Research Fellow Dr Mike Thomas is working to improve non-drug treatments for asthma. Four other research projects are also underway in Scotland led by Dr Jennifer Cleland, Dr Dermot Ryan and Professor Judith Allen.

Current research projects in Scotland

Dr Mike Thomas, Asthma UK Senior Research Fellow

Dr Mike Thomas is both a GP and a committed asthma researcher. Alongside seeing patients he also conducts vital research to improve the treatment and care of people with asthma.

Many people with asthma are interested in finding ways to reduce their asthma symptoms without using medicines. Dr Thomas’ aim is to develop breathing techniques that help people with asthma take more control over their asthma symptoms, and reduce the impact it has on their daily lives.

In December 2008, Dr Thomas published the latest results from his work, showing that people with asthma benefited from breathing technique training sessions from a physiotherapist. Find out more

Dr Jennifer ClelandDr Jennifer Cleland, University of Aberdeen

Dr Cleland is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and a Clinical Psychologist. Her aim is to improve the care that people with asthma receive when they visit their GP or asthma nurse.

In one Asthma UK project she is teaching health professionals to work with patients more effectively to improve their asthma symptoms. In October 2008 she started a second Asthma UK project to improve the diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety in people with asthma. Find out more

Dr Dermot Ryan, University of Aberdeen

Like Dr Thomas, Dr Dermot Ryan is both a GP and a Clinical Research Fellow. With support from Asthma UK he hopes to discover whether messages delivered to mobile phones can help people take more control over their asthma symptoms. Find out more

Professor Judith Allen, University of Edinburgh

Professor Allen and her colleagues are undertaking a scientific project to discover future asthma treatments. Through funding from Asthma UK, she hopes to find out whether molecules that block the activity of enzymes called chitinases might hold potential as effective new treatments for asthma.