Robbins Group

01865 272490
peter.robbins@dpag.ox.ac.uk

Human systems physiology: Respiratory, cardiovascular and metabolic function in response to stresses such as exercise and hypoxia

Our novel measures of lung function in youth (A), in older age (B) and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (C)

Our research centres on human systems physiology. We are interested in the effects of stresses, such as exercise and hypoxia, on metabolism and on respiratory and cardiovascular function.

Technological innovation is vital to achieving breakthroughs in this area. We have a long track record in this area. Most recently we have developed an airway molecular flow sensor that uses laser absorption spectroscopy to analyse the gases in the airway. This allows us to make measurements that have simply not been possible before. As well as studying the physiology of healthy individuals, we are using it to study patients in critical care, and those with diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. In 2022, the Royal Society of Chemistry awarded our team the Sir George Stokes Horizon Prize for this technology. As well as developing new technologies, we also exploit new discoveries, made at the molecular and cellular level, in order to understand whole-body function better.

We are an outward looking group, with collaborative projects across the University of Oxford – in particular with the chemistry and engineering departments in the physical sciences, and with the clinical departments of medicine, anaesthesia and intensive care. We also collaborate with a number of different hospitals.

Much of the work within our group is either undertaken by graduate students working towards a doctorate or by early career postdoctoral scientists developing their careers. In many cases, the students are jointly supervised with other colleagues and this adds breadth to their research training. The laboratory has an international feel with students coming from many different countries. Recent students have been funded through Rhodes Scholarships, Marshall Scholarships, Felix Scholarships, Clarendon Bursaries, Wellcome Trust Studentships, as well as through funding arising from their native countries.

Our team

Peter Robbins

Professor of Physiology
Nick Talbot

Associate Professor and Consultant in Respiratory Medicine
Matthew Frise

Academic Visitor
Graham Richmond

Affiliate Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Nick Smith

Affiliate Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Jéssica Luiz

DPhil Student
Dominic Sandhu

Research Assistant
Tishan Wellalagodage

DPhil Student
Haopeng Xu

DPhil Student
Mary Slingo

Collaborators

Dr Helen Ashdown, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford

Prof Jane Davies, The Royal Brompton Hospital, Imperial College London

Prof Luke Howard, The Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London

Prof Ian Pavord, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford

Dr Nayia Petousi, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford

Prof Grant Ritchie, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford

NIHR Oxford BRC Respiratory theme

Selected publications

Altered lung physiology in two cohorts after COVID-19 infection as assessed by computed cardiopulmonography.
Journal article

Magor-Elliott SRM. et al, (2022), J Appl Physiol (1985), 133, 1175 - 1191
Potential for noninvasive assessment of lung inhomogeneity using highly precise, highly time-resolved measurements of gas exchange.
Journal article

Mountain JE. et al, (2018), J Appl Physiol (1985), 124, 615 - 631
In-airway molecular flow sensing: A new technology for continuous, noninvasive monitoring of oxygen consumption in critical care.
Journal article

Ciaffoni L. et al, (2016), Sci Adv, 2
Clinical iron deficiency disturbs normal human responses to hypoxia.
Journal article

Frise MC. et al, (2016), J Clin Invest, 126, 2139 - 2150
Natural selection on EPAS1 (HIF2alpha) associated with low hemoglobin concentration in Tibetan highlanders.
Journal article

Beall CM. et al, (2010), Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 107, 11459 - 11464
Regulation of human metabolism by hypoxia-inducible factor.
Journal article

Formenti F. et al, (2010), Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 107, 12722 - 12727
Effects of iron supplementation and depletion on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension: two randomized controlled trials.
Journal article

Smith TG. et al, (2009), JAMA, 302, 1444 - 1450

Join the Robbins Lab

_{GRADUATE STUDENTS}

Graduates interested in joining the group can find general information from the Medical Sciences Division Graduate School web pages. This includes information concerning possible sources of funding both internal and external to Oxford.

_{post-doctoral researchers}

Possible sources of funding include:

The British Heart Foundation
The Medical Research Council
The National Institute for Health Research
The Wellcome Trust
Other relevant medical charities - e.g. Asthma & Lung UK

OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER

We are currently recruiting healthy volunteers for a study concerning blood flow through the lungs (please contact Dr Mary Slingo if interested) and healthy smokers for a study concerning lung function (please contact Dr Nick Smith if interested).