Translational Health Sciences

£1.1 million project to develop new biodegradable stents

A £1.1 million project to develop biodegradable stents for patients with severe vascular disease, which affects around one million people in the UK, has started thanks to Innovate UK funding. The unique project, a collaboration between the UK-based medical device company Arterius and the Translational Biomedical Research Centre (TBRC) at the University of Bristol, will develop a new type of bioresorbable stent that prevents the complications associated with metal stents.

Save lives - be a brain tumour tissue donor

Brain tumour tissue is removed everyday by surgeons but very few patients know they can donate brain tumour tissue to research. A new national campaign launched today [Tuesday 24 February] at the University of Bristol seeks to raise awareness for patients and healthcare professionals about donating brain tumour tissue and helping researchers find a cure for this disease. The campaign is led by leading medical researchers and the charity, brainstrust.

Risk factors identified for patients undergoing knee replacements

In the largest study of its kind, researchers from the Musculoskeletal Research Unit at the University of Bristol have identified the most important risk factors for developing severe infection after knee replacement. Patients who are under 60 years of age, males, those with chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, liver disease, and a higher body mass index are at increased risk of having the joint replacement redone (known as revision) due to infection.