bat science - New content
Our research is based on a multi-disciplinary approach. Here is some of the new content available and how it fits into our research and development programme at GR&D Southampton.
Combustion science 
Combustion and aerosol science seek together to understand the fundamental mechanisms underpinning the formation and distribution of smoke particles and toxicants. This somewhat fundamental science should help us to gain the knowledge to develop practical methods for reducing certain toxicants, and enable us to understand the possible implications of reducing one particular group of toxicants on others.
- Combustion science
- Understanding toxicant formation
- Influence of cigarette construction on combustion
- Influence of additives and ingredients
- Approaches to toxicant reductions
Analytical smoke chemistry
Smoke chemistry analysis is a fundamental part of our research and development programme. It has ties into almost every area of our science from routine support to analysis of chemicals obtained from reduced toxicant prototypes to smokeless tobacco products. Understanding smoke chemistry and characterising the chemistries from various product designs allows us target constituents of interest and reduce them form the cigarette smoke using a variety of tools and techniques.
- Smoke chemistry analysis
- Analysis of smoke and analytical sciences
- Machine smoking
Smoke exposure models
Our smoke exposure research includes both literature based research into toxicants found in tobacco smoke as well as an extensive laboratory based research programme investigating the effects of tobacco smoke exposure using in vitro models. This section includes information smoke toxicants, our own patented whole smoke exposure chamber and information on the complete setup, total particulate matter (TPM) and aqueous extracts.
- Smoke toxicants
- Whole smoke
- Total particulate matter
- Aqueous extracts
Disease models
Cigarette smoking is an important cause of a variety of serious diseases. Our disease model research seeks to develop and validate a series of in vitro tests that would form a part of the framework for assessing reduced toxicant prototypes.
We are currently investigating a range of specific in vitro models relevant to a number of tobacco related diseases. The aim of these in vitro models is to develop physiologically relevant screening tools that will help us to understand and investigate the mechanisms of cigarette smoke toxicity as well as to identify and assess disease related biomarkers. In addition they can be used to determine whether a change in cigarette smoke composition results in a change in the response of one or more of these models. A similar approach is used by other industries who are interested in developing in vitro models in order to reduce animal experimentation – the standard approach for testing pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
This section focuses on the development of in vitro models relevant to a number of tobacco related diseases and disease processes. This includes information on:-
- Inflammation and oxidative stress
- Cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Human dosimetry
The machine yields of cigarettes are not necessarily representative of the yields obtained by smokers.
Our work in human dosimetry, therefore, is moving beyond standard machine measurements to study smokers and the actual obtained yields, the deposition of smoke components in the respiratory system and the amount of smoke components absorbed by the smoker, which may provide an indication of biologically relevant exposure. The subsequent pages focus on different areas of Human dosimetry.
- Smoking behaviour
- Mouth level exposure
- Deposition
- Metabolism
- Biomarkers of exposure
Clinical assessment
Clinical studies are a critical part of our framework to evaluate any candidate potential reduced-exposure products. Our clinical assessment programme was developed with input from external scientists and may help to establish a baseline from which we can develop and expand our PREP clinical assessment programme. We see this programme evolving further as we receive more feedback from the global scientific community in the coming years.
- Correlation study
- Reduced toxicant prototype study (RTP)
- Longitudinal study
- Pharmacokinetic study
- Biomarkers of exposure
- Biomarkers of effect
- Future studies
We are continuing to update and develop the site, with more updates are expected soon, including a new biotechnology section.