Welsh Achievements - in science, technology and engineering (PDF

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The diagnosis of adverse
health conditions has
benefited greatly from
the convergence of different
scientific disciplines
Increasing miniaturisation of
test equipment now enables
self-testing kits and
telemetric systems to convey
results to the surgery and
hospital without the patient
having to attend in person.
Many diagnostic tests
are being developed and
manufactured in Wales to
detect, for example, diabetes,
osteoporosis, thyroid
disorders, anaemia and
infectious diseases.
The continued success of
the sector has been built
upon the links between
renowned academic institutes
such as Cardiff University
(including the University of
Wales College of Medicine
– UWCM) and indigenous
companies in the sector. In
addition, Wales also boasts a
strong and stable skills base,
purpose built infrastructure
and a firm commitment to
the sector by the Welsh
Assembly Government.
The development of new
drugs, the way in which they
can be delivered to the active
sites in the body and their
mode of action are major
research areas at the Welsh
School of Pharmacy. Small
molecules and much larger
polymer-based molecules are
being devised and evaluated
to combat diseases such as
cancer, viral and bacterial
infections and tropical
diseases.
The Wound Healing Research
Unit at Cardiff University
has a world-wide reputation
for its work on wound
management and prevention,
particularly in the field of
ulcers, and five Schools
in the University are also
combining in the Institute
of Tissue Engineering and
Repair to encourage the early
application of research results
into clinical practice. At the
more fundamental level,
the Institute of Medical
Genetics has contributed to
the Human Gene Mutation
Database associated with
inherited diseases.