Photography exhibition on NHS research comes to Reading

A photography exhibition showcasing ground-breaking NHS research taking place across the Thames Valley has opened in Reading. 

‘The Body Unlocked: How Research is Changing Lives’ features life-sized photographs of people who have taken part in studies, researchers at work and microscopic images of cells and bacteria.

The exhibition is hosted by the Broad Street Mall, Reading until the end of September and will visit other venues in the county and Thames Valley in future.

The studies highlighted in the exhibition are taking place in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire with support from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). 

Images include surgeons preparing a pioneering gene therapy injection for vision loss, dogs smelling urine to detect cancer, a close-up of cells responsible for controlling blood sugar and a virtual reality headset to treat mental illnesses.

Among those featured in the exhibition is Newbury’s Richard Lelliott, who took part in studies into the experiences of people with autism and mental illness after being diagnosed with autism aged 47.

People with autism can find it hard to communicate and interact with others, experience heightened sensory sensitivity such as sounds and do or think the same things over and over.

Mr Lelliott said: “When making plans with people without autism, they’re very vague: we’ll do this and that. To an autistic person, we’re finite, we’ve got one chain of thought and that’s it.

“Being out gives you a lot of sensory overload, you end up going out and doing what you need to do before going back home and withdrawing yourself, like you’re living in a trench.

“When I’m anxious, or get upset about other problems like the car breaking down or the house being a mess, I get into a lot of stress and it turns into this inner voice which derails me, telling me I’m evil or bad.

"Volunteering for medical research helps build a greater understanding of medical conditions, improved assessment and treatment outcomes for patients. 

“I know volunteering does not necessarily help me directly, but what can be learned from my patient history could have serious benefits for others with autism. 

“This exhibition is a great way for the public to learn about the life-changing medical research taking place here in Berkshire.”

The shopping centre is open every day 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 5pm Sunday.

Research studies are an integral part of improving treatments in the NHS, public health and social care for conditions such as cancer, diabetes and psychosis. 

Search for and sign up to be contacted about studies you could take part in at bepartofresearch.uk.  

To learn more about the exhibition visit thebodyunlocked.info.