Human Metabolism
Research Unit
Dual-chamber,
whole-body calorimeter
In Spring 2011, University
Hospitals Coventry and
Warwickshire NHS Trust
and Warwick Medical
School will open the most
advanced whole-body
calorimeter in the world
The whole-body calorimeter is a unique new
facility in the Human Metabolism Research Unit
at University Hospital – allowing researchers to
measure precisely the whole-body effects of
cellular changes underlying distinct metabolic
physiologies and pathologies.
The dual-chamber calorimeter is a customdesigned facility, capable of real-time
measurement of energy expenditure in adults
and children, over short or long periods of time.
Uniquely, the facility enables comprehensive
analysis of both biochemical data and clinical
observations – as well as supporting full
investigation of novel treatments in clinical trials.
The whole-body calorimeter
has applications in:
Studies that allow us to understand how food,
physical activity and other aspects of
behaviour – including sleep – affect our ability
to control body weight
Understanding how biomarkers for metabolic
disorders identified in laboratory studies affect
weight gain
Investigation of real-time changes in metabolic
function associated with diabetes and obesity,
and their treatments
Clinical trials for novel nutraceuticals and
pharmaceuticals
University expertise
Human Metabolism Research Unit
The whole-body calorimeter (WBC) has been
developed through a partnership between
University Hospitals Coventry and
Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW) and the
University of Warwick Medical School. The
WBC is under the direction of Professor
Sudhesh Kumar, who holds a joint position at
UHCW and Warwick Medical School.
Professor Kumar also leads the Warwickshire
Institute for Diabetes, Endocrinology and
Metabolism (WISDEM) – an international
centre for excellence in human metabolic
research based at UHCW.
The WBC is housed in the Human Metabolism Research Unit, a
dedicated research wing of the new University Hospital at
Coventry – part of one of the largest acute teaching hospitals in
the UK, offering major advances in clinical training, patient care
and innovation.
The WBC is also supported by researchers
within the School of Engineering and the
Department of Physics at the University of
Warwick, who have developed successful
mathematical models of a number of disease
processes and their treatments. Warwick
Clinical Trials Unit provides comprehensive
study design and statistical expertise to
support the facility.
The Unit has full complementary laboratory facilities to support
investigations in the WBC.
Clinical studies at UHCW
The West Midlands region has one of the most diverse populations
in Europe. The region’s clinical research networks have an excellent
reputation for patient recruitment and retention in clinical trials, as
well as having access to a large cohort of research-naive patients
and volunteers.
The clinical trial infrastructure and investigators at UHCW are
supported by dedicated clinical trial professionals, nursing and
nutrition support staff.
All research studies are carried out to the highest standards.
UHCW provides 24-hour clinical cover for the Unit, and governance
is assured by the Research & Development Department.
HMRU facilities
Patient reception area
Clinical investigation rooms
Physiological measurement facilities,
e.g. Bod Pod, Tanita
Vascular screening laboratory
Sample acquisition, analysis and storage
Data management and analysis
Experiment and protocol design services
Contacts and further information
For further information about accessing
the WBC, please contact:
Academic studies
Ceri Jones, UHCW R&D
Email ceri.jones@uhcw.nhs.uk
Tel +44 (0) 2476 966 196
www.uhcw.nhs.uk
Commercial studies
Dr Debbie Girdlestone, Warwick Medical School
Email d.girdlestone@warwick.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0) 7824 541 198
www.warwick.ac.uk/wms
The Science City Research Alliance Translational Medicine project is part of a larger
investment by Advantage West Midlands and ERDF in the research infrastructure of the
West Midlands, which unites the University of Birmingham and the University of Warwick
in a strategic research partnership within the Birmingham Science City initiative.
www.birminghamsciencecity.co.uk