九州影院

Q&A with The PERFORM COVID-19 Team

What was your role within the team?

Moseley Benjamin (Clinical Scientist and Chief Respiratory Physiologist): I am a respiratory clinical scientist who was asked to collaborate on some of the work. As the project progressed, I was offered the opportunity to be first author on one of the many papers this project produced. I was very grateful for the opportunity, and it taught me a lot.

Henry Oswin (PhD Student): I was a PhD student (and briefly a postdoctoral researcher) whose work primarily focused on measuring the airborne survival of microorganisms, under a range of conditions. During the pandemic our work shifted to focus on SARS-CoV-2 and the mechanisms influencing its airborne decay.

What were the biggest challenges in this project?

Bryan Bzdek (Associate Professor of 九州影院): Everything about this project was challenging, from the very short timelines required to influence policy to arranging appropriate space to conduct the measurements to sourcing appropriate equipment during a period of significant economic disruption. This project succeeded because we had an exceptional team where everyone could play to their strengths, whether that was arranging ethics approvals and recruiting participants, collecting and analysing data, or educating others about aerosols and COVID-19 transmission.

Christopher Orton (Consultant in respiratory medicine): A multitude of challenges were faced and overcome, including accessing a zero back-ground particle setting, sourcing highly specialised equipment, and validation of novel techniques, while ensuring the safety of volunteers, and investigators alike through distancing, and serial COVID-19 testing.

What different strengths did different people bring to the team?

Adam Finn (Professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol and head of the Bristol Children's Vaccine Centre): This work is a product of normally-non-overlapping disciplines: physical and chemical sciences, electromechanical engineering, microbiology and clinical medicine - making it a fascinating team to participate in.

Allen Haddrell (Research Fellow): The study of airborne virus decay is an inherently interdisciplinary project. One where really no one has the complete answer. Meaning, the only way to understand what is actually happening, everyone needs to actively work together. This is not passive, and involves lively and respectful debates across disciplines where all assumptions are challenged.

Flo Gregson (PhD Student): This was the most diverse collaboration I have ever been involved in. We were routinely engaging with people with backgrounds ranging from physical chemistry to aerobiology, medicine, engineering, computational fluid dynamics, instrument technology, statistics, building management, policy-making, music..! No one person could have completed this project on their own: its success lay in its diversity of perspectives.

Why is this work so important and exciting?

James Calder (Consultant Foot and Ankle Surgeon): Before publication of this work it was difficult to justify opening of certain sectors of sport & culture venues because of the uncertainty regarding risk of aerosol transmission (minimum 6m distancing for singing and 3m distancing for wind instrumentalist). This work was crucial in shaping the views of policy makers to open society more generally and also helped understand the impact of the wearing of masks in public areas and on transport. Importantly, the bank of knowledge it generated will act as a reference to guide a public health response in a future pandemic

Moseley Benjamin (Clinical Scientist and Chief Respiratory Physiologist): I feel that this work is important as COVID will not be the only disease that is transmitted via aerosols. Therefore, accurately risk assessing activities that have drastic implications for the economy is vital. If we can find more cost-effective ways of doing that by using other, more easily measured parameters, this would be the next step.

Rob Alexander (PhD Student): The COVID-19 pandemic was responsible for over seven million deaths worldwide, are we ready for the next pandemic? Our research goes some way to help better understand disease transmission dynamics, to help prepare for future pandemics. The CELEBS project produced completely novel findings that were unobtainable with other measurements. To understand the fundamental mechanisms behind airborne viral longevity, during the pandemic that the virus was responsible for, was exciting, and enlightening.

Where do you see the biggest impact of this technology/research being?

Henry Oswin (PhD Student): Many of the findings from this work point towards the potential for alterations in the chemical composition of air to have profound effects on disease transmission. Public and commercial buildings are where I think there is the most potential to apply these ideas, with tighter control of the air quality in these spaces potentially allowing us to tailor the composition of the air towards one that enhances the natural decay of pathogens, thereby reducing disease transmission. Novel mitigation strategies such as this will be required should the world face another pandemic like that of COVID-19.

Flo Gregson (PhD Student): At the time of starting this work, musical performances, theatre and choirs were completely banned due to concerns with infection control risk, which had a huge impact on many people鈥檚 careers and also emotional wellbeing during a very stressful period. There was little known about infection risk from different types of exhalation during performances (e.g. singing, different wind instruments) that could help drive the policy surrounding that. There had been some previous impactful papers by other research on sampling of exhaled aerosol that we could build on, but our work was able to connect measurements like these to infection control strategies in the context of the arts.

How will this work be used in real life applications?

Adam Finn (Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Bristol and head of the Bristol Children's Vaccine Centre): Control of infection by aerosol transmission has the potential to be achieved through appropriate manipulation of indoor ventilation and air composition. Understanding of the mechanisms of seasonality of infectious diseases maybe fully elucidated.

Rob Alexander (PhD Student): Young children, older adults, people with compromised immune systems, and people with disabilities are generally at high risk of severe illness from respiratory infections. By using our research to identify the atmospheric conditions that promote airborne viral decay, we can recreate those conditions within public spaces, such as hospitals and schools. Appropriate mitigation strategies, identified in our studies (For example, controlling humidity, atmospheric CO₂ concentrations) we can reduce the risk of transmission to those that are most vulnerable.

How do you see this work developing over the next few years, and what is next for this technology/research?

Bryan Bzdek (Associate Professor of 九州影院): This project catalysed a number of collaborations and will live on for years to come. While the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, airborne disease transmission is still a pressing problem, perhaps most recently made obvious from significant measles outbreaks. The tools we have developed can be applied to assessing the airborne viability of other pathogens, and from a clinical perspective we are assessing aerosol generation from a more diverse participant cohort and in longitudinal studies.

Jianghan Tian (PhD Student): I believe this research is crucial for advancing our understanding of the physicochemical properties of exhaled aerosols and their role in the transmissibility of respiratory pathogens. This is an important step toward improving future pandemic preparedness. In the coming years, this research will evolve into a more detailed understanding of the composition of exhaled aerosols. We will likely gain better insights into the mechanisms of virus deactivation in aerosols and how these particles contribute to transmission among humans, and between humans, animals, and plants.

As our knowledge expands, it will become increasingly clear that the air we breathe should be monitored and, when necessary, adjusted to ensure a 鈥渉ealthy鈥� indoor environment. Consequently, research on particle collection, coupled with the study of human aerosol generation, will become essential.

What inspires or motivates your team?

Adam Finn (Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Bristol and head of the Bristol Children's Vaccine Centre): Rapid progress into uncharted territory, exchange of ideas across disciplines and a strong team ethos and enthusiasm to meet every week and hear the latest news about progress.

Flo Gregson (PhD Student): It was a huge inspiration in this project to be interacting with singers and musical performers who鈥檚 entire livelihoods had been put on hold during the pandemic. They couldn't perform; we were all deprived of music, and whilst they were all very understanding of that because the global pandemic was horrifying and infections were rising 鈥� it was fantastic to be part of the group effort to try to get music playing again (safely).

What is the importance of collaboration in the chemical sciences?

Allen Haddrell (Research Fellow): It鈥檚 absolutely critical. Every aspect of this project required experts from across numerous fields to both design the studies, but also to interpret the results.

Henry Symons (Post-Doctoral Research Associate): 九州影院 is inherently collaborative 鈥� the problems we face are complex and rarely solved within a single discipline. Within the PERFORM project, knowledge spanning a broad range of disciplines including aerosol science, medicine, and engineering was highly valuable to many of the findings from the work.

What does good research culture look like or mean to you?

Jianghan Tian (PhD Student): A good research culture is one where individuals are encouraged to use their imagination to its fullest potential while working together to solve important and challenging questions.

Henry Symons (Post-Doctoral Research Associate): A good research culture is inclusive, supportive, and values curiosity over competition. It should recognise that failure is often part of the scientific process, and prioritise mental health and work-life balance, rather than glorifying overwork.

Rob Alexander (PhD Student): Research should be inclusive, with a diverse mix of researchers from different backgrounds, at different career stages contributing to the project. Good research is not just lab coats and working away with chemicals in a lab. Research can take us out into the field to investigate real world scenarios, complex multifaceted questions that humanity faces.

How can scientists try to improve the environmental sustainability of research? Can you give us any examples from your own experience or context?

Flo Gregson (PhD Student): Environmental impact should be considered right at the beginning of experimental design along with the typical factors like cost, feasibility, safety etc. Make considerations like reducing lab waste and adopting more energy-efficient equipment when planning the experiments.

Henry Symons (PhD Student): As someone who generally considers themselves environmentally conscious, I鈥檝e definitely been guilty of overlooking the environmental impact of research. Single-use plastics are one area that could be improved 鈥� although recycling and reuse are usually not possible in a laboratory context, reduction in use through better planning often is.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in the chemical sciences?

Jianghan Tian (PhD Student): My advice to a young person considering a career in the chemical sciences would be to stay curious and open-minded. The field is vast and constantly evolving, so it鈥檚 important to embrace new ideas and be willing to explore different areas. Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions, seek out mentors, and collaborate with others. Most importantly, be patient and persistent鈥攕cientific discovery often takes time, but the rewards of contributing to meaningful advances are well worth it.

Flo Gregson (PhD Student): Take on opportunities to diversify your expertise wherever possible 鈥� it sets you up well for future projects and jobs if you can show that you have capacity to learn new things. If you can become involved in a project that feels a little outside of your comfort zone, then do it!