LifeLab is a state-of-the-art teaching laboratory for school students to learn the science behind health messages.

It is a purpose built facility at the heart of the hospital, run by the University of Southampton.

Hands-on learning

Through LifeLab, our researchers engage with young people, teachers and researchers to explain how lifestyle choices at an early age can drastically affect young people’s health and the health of their future children.

Through hands-on learning, they hope to empower young people to make healthier choices. Habits formed as teenagers tend to last, so it's a perfect time to talk about the importance of looking after their health. A healthy lifestyle can reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes later in life.

This approach to learning breaks down boundaries, makes science accessible, and brings it to life. It also inspires children to consider careers in healthcare, science, and medicine.

Based on the latest research

Our research into nutrition, lifestyle and behaviour underpins the activities run at LifeLab.

The lab works in close partnership with our NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. In this way, we communicate the discoveries we make to young people at a critical time in their lives.

We show teenagers how the choices they make and the habits they form can affect their health in later life. These include decisions around what to eat and how much exercise they do.

We also explain our research showing how the health of parents can affect their child's health. This empowers them to make positive changes to improve their health and the health of their future children.