#LetsTalkLabs - How does laboratory research help people with asthma?

Laboratory or lab-based research is often the first step in research that makes a difference. However, we don’t talk enough about it, so #LetsTalkLabs!

To spark more conversations about this aspect of research, we have partnered with research advisory groups BRAG and Voice Up, people from Greater Manchester and researchers on #LetsTalkLabs, an initiative funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF).

Simon is a 48-year-old father of two in Manchester and he is part of Socio-Economic Regeneration CIC, a not-for-profit aiming to improve the social and economic wellbeing of communities in Manchester.

Read more below about why he says #LetsTalkLabs, his perspective on laboratory-based research and more.

Why did you decide to join Let’s Talk Labs?

I joined Let’s Talk Labs to learn more about respiratory research, especially since I’ve noticed changes in my own breathing. For example, when I play football with my friends, my breathing pattern has shifted. I also have people in my life who are affected by asthma, and I wanted to understand the condition better to share that knowledge with others. I thought exploring laboratory research would give me a deeper insight into what scientists are studying.

What do you think of laboratory research?

Before joining this project, I saw laboratory researchers as being somewhat distant and ‘official’—people who focused only on their work and didn’t engage much with the community. However, taking part in the project changed that perspective. I discovered that researchers are open to conversation and eager to explain their work.

Looking back, I’ve learned that laboratory research is a continuous process. What I initially thought were definitive answers turned out to be just part of the ongoing research. That’s the nature of research, isn’t it? Because research happens constantly, there’s no definite answer to my questions.

What have you discovered about laboratory research?

What surprised me most was learning that people with respiratory conditions can be more affected at night than during the day. This was something I hadn’t expected. When you have a condition, you usually think it's the same 24/7, but the research showed that symptoms can vary depending on the time of day and the activities you’re doing. I was also surprised by how much variation there is in how people experience respiratory issues, especially when it comes to night versus daytime symptoms.

What are you taking away from getting involved in Let’s Talk Labs?

This project has been really enlightening for me. It gave me access to places I wouldn’t usually visit, like laboratories, and allowed me to see firsthand how research into areas like asthma is conducted. I also gained a new appreciation for the professionalism and attention to detail that goes into lab work.

On the filmmaking side, I got a real understanding of how much work goes into creating even a short film. It’s been a great learning experience—getting to know more about equipment, sound, and how important it is to understand people’s roles, voices, and positions. Overall, it’s been an interesting and rewarding journey.

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