Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) is working together with Cardiff University, BRAIN and CUBRIC to deliver a first in man trial of a “gene-silencing drug” for Huntington’s Disease. Huntington’s Disease (HD) is an inherited, progressive, neurodegenerative condition affecting approximately 300 families in South and South West Wales. HD is caused by patients inheriting a faulty gene (HTT), which leads to the production of a toxic protein called mutant huntingtin. Mutant huntingtin protein causes neurodegeneration by slowly poisoning specific…

A former St Teilo’s Church in Wales High School pupil, Robin Gwilliam, has landed a dream position with the Formula 1 team. Robin, now a mechanical engineering student at Cardiff University, competed against over 400 applicants across the UK and with only 5 places available he was offered the role he most wanted for his placement year. Working alongside top professionals in the field, Robin will be placed within the engine and powertrain division of the Design Office to help…

The No Straw Stand is a  Cardiff based movement set up by Cardiff University students, attempting to get as many businesses as possible to reduce their single use plastic consumption. Straws are one of the biggest contributors to single use plastic pollution found in our oceans, with millions of straws being used and discarded in the UK every day. Once in the ocean, these straws break up into smaller micro plastics which are capable of entering the food chain. To…

Five creative collaborations with business, government and wider society are being celebrated by Cardiff University. The Innovation and Impact Awards 2017 highlight the benefits of partnerships between University academics and external organisations. The prize-winning projects have been chosen ahead of the University’s annual Innovation and Impact Awards in three weeks’ time. And Cardiff University is offering everyone a chance to vote for the ‘People’s Choice’ Award by selecting their favourite from the five finalists. The winning competitor will receive an…

Cardiff University has moved up nine places to 36th in Europe’s Top 100 Most Innovative Universities. And the University has maintained its spot as 8th in the UK, according to Reuters’ second annual list. The Reuters rankings identify the educational institutions doing the most to advance science, invent new technologies, and help drive the global economy. The league table is based on data including academic papers, patent filings, industry citations and industry collaborations. Cardiff University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan, said: “Innovation…

On the 22nd March I went to go and see ‘Songs for a New World’ at the YMCA Theatre in Cardiff. The musical, which was originally written by Jason Robert Brown, is about one moment in time and seizing that one moment and taking a stand. All of these key ideas were magically incorporated in this new version of the musical which was directed by Owain Huw. I think it is important to mention that he had little experience before…

On the 24th February 2017 I went to go and see ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ at the Llanover Hall Arts Centre in Canton, which was originally written by John Webster. A play that highlights the abuse of women and their struggles, which this new cast also brought to the light.  This version of the play was directed by Martin Newman alongside the production managers CJ Friday and James McNeill, and their vision brought to life by an extremely talented cast;…

Three outstanding ideas for better dementia care developed by frontline medical staff and patient carers are being celebrated at BioWales 2017. Cardiff and Vale University Hospital Board and Cardiff University developed a ‘Dementia Challenge’ as part of their drive for clinical innovation in Wales. Carers and staff came up with ideas that have since been turned into real-life services: a 1950s sitting room to make a ward ‘dementia friendly’; a bedside poster and publicity campaign to keep patients hydrated; a…

Now you have to agree that as titles go, this is one you won’t see every day. I have just been reading about a convicted benefits fraudster from South Wales who cheated you and me out of over £50,000 and has been ordered to pay it back by the Court at £2.66 per week until the year 2384 when she will have achieved the ripe old age of 416! Staying with the same subject, I was recently engaged in a…

CARDIFF University Symphony Chorus brings the delicate and intimate genius of Brahms to St David’s Hall on Sunday 27 November at 3pm. Often described as an ode for the living and not a mass for the dead, Johannes Brahms’ stated intention in writing his iconic German Requiem was to comfort the living. This masterpiece composed between 1865 and 1868 is a breathtaking large-scale work for chorus, orchestra and soprano and baritone soloists. It comprises seven movements which together last 65…