Researchers from Cardiff University and Université Libre de Bruxelles have identified how the function of a key gene significantly impacts nerve stem cell growth, and how it can lead to abnormal brain development in unborn babies (Cardiff University, 2017). The new research, published in PNAS, reveals a pivotal role for the Dmrta2 gene in regulating … Continue reading Gene mutation can cause brain malformation in children

The world’s most detailed scan of the brain’s internal wiring has been produced by scientists at Cardiff University (BBC News, 2017). The MRI scan reveals the fibres which carry all the brain’s thought processes. It has been done in Cardiff, Nottingham, Cambridge and Stockport, as well as London, England and London, Ontario. The scans also … Continue reading World’s most detailed scan of the brain’s internal wiring produced

Realcan, a major Chinese biomedical service provider is teaming up with Cardiff University to explore research opportunities (China Daily, 2017). Realcan will provide £1m of funding to Cardiff University over a three year period. The investment will allow PhD students with Realcan to partner with Cardiff University’s clinicians and biomedical scientists as well as Realcan … Continue reading Chinese company in joint venture with Cardiff University

A team led by UCL and Cardiff University researchers has developed a novel measure of disease progression for Huntington’s disease, which enabled them to identify a genetic modifier associated with how rapidly the disease progresses (CheckOrphan, 2017). “We’ve identified a gene that could be a target for treating Huntington’s disease. While there’s currently no cure … Continue reading Genetic modifier for Huntington’s disease progression identified

A Cardiff University scientist is to explore whether viruses can be “trained” to tackle ovarian cancer after being given a £250,000 Cancer Research UK grant (BBC News, 2017). Dr Alan Parker, a senior lecturer at Cardiff University, will lead a team to examine and alter the Ad5 virus. In its original form it can can … Continue reading Cardiff University scientist to train virus to fight ovarian cancer

The GW4 Alliance will open a £2.3m shared facility for cryo-microscopy on September 1st 2017 at the University of Bristol (Cardiff University, 2017). The facility will provide researchers across the Great West region with a suite of state of the art microscopy and analysis tools, enabling them to better understand the molecular processes responsible for … Continue reading GW4 Alliance to open new microscopy facility

Research by Cardiff University has found that community-led regeneration in deprived areas can improve the mental health of residents (Cardiff University, 2017). The study, one of the first of its kind worldwide, found a small but measurable improvement in the mental health of residents in areas of Caerphilly County Borough that underwent community-led regeneration compared … Continue reading Regeneration of deprived areas can improve residents’ mental health

Professor Gary F Baxter will take over responsibility for Cardiff University’s College of Biomedical and Life Sciences from Professor Dylan Jones who is standing down to focus on his research (Cardiff University, 2017). For the past seven years Gary Baxter has been Head of the Cardiff University’s School of Pharmacy. Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin … Continue reading New Pro Vice-Chancellor for Cardiff University’s College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

Lyndon Wood, one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs, is helping to fund new research into the prevention of bowel cancer (Cardiff University, 2017). The innovative research, which focuses on the link between diet and cancer, is taking place at the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, one of Cardiff University’s flagship research centres. Established … Continue reading Cardiff University receives funding for research to prevent bowel cancer

Cardiff University has announced plans to conduct a stem cell transplantation procedure that could benefit people affected by Huntington’s disease in Wales (Cardiff University, 2017). The Brain Repair and Intracranial Neurotherapeutics (BRAIN) Unit kicked off Huntington’s Disease Awareness Week (May 15th – 21st) by unveiling its intention to perform the first of its pioneering procedures … Continue reading Stem cell transplants to help treat Huntington’s disease