The NDA respiratory theme integrates cellular, systems and modelling approaches to the investigation of respiratory disorders in anaesthesia, pain and intensive care. Neuroimaging: The neuroimaging group uses functional and structural MRI techniques in human volunteers and patients to understand the brain mechanisms of breathlessness and opioid-induced respiratory depression. Cellular mechanisms of hypoxia: The cellular hypoxia group studies the cells of the carotid body to explore anaesthetic effects on potassium channels, which play an important role in the way in which hypoxia is sensed. Biomedical Engineering: The biomedical engineering group uses modelling approaches to develop novel technologies, including a non-invasive lung function diagnosis system and a rapid intravascular PO2 sensor to study mechanisms in animal models of acute respiratory distress syndrome.