Volunteers are needed to take part in a clinical trial of a vaccine against coronavirus in North Wales. The BBC reports preliminary testing has been completed and showed promising initial results on antibody levels in healthy volunteers. It will now be tested on nine thousand volunteers across eighteen regions around the UK including Wrexham. Betsi … Continue reading Volunteers wanted for Covid-19 vaccine trial in Wrexham

Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething has issued a written statement on the genomic analysis of Covid-19 lineages. He writes “Through SAGE and the Technical Advisory Group, the Welsh Government receives updates on the genetic makeup of the virus that causes Covid-19. The insights that come from studying the very building blocks … Continue reading Genomic analysis of Covid-19 lineages in Wales

A report published by Health and Care Research Wales reveals the impact of research for patients living with conditions such as Huntington’s, post traumatic stress disorder and breast cancer as a result of major collaborations in Wales. The report, Making a difference: The impact of health and social care research in Wales, also highlight the … Continue reading Reports show health and care research in Wales brings significant benefits

Melanie James, from Cardiff, received a transfusion of monoclonal antibodies at University Hospital Llandough as part of the Recovery clinical trial. The BBC reports she was breathless and receiving oxygen but said she felt “much better” after receiving the treatment. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said the trial was in its “very early stages”. … Continue reading First person in Wales to receive the same antibody treatment for coronavirus as Donald Trump

A top scientist who works for the body responsible for organising the pilots has said different vaccines will be trialed across parts of Wales “very soon”. About five hundred volunteers in the Gwent area have already taken part in trials of the Covid-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. The BBC reports the … Continue reading More coronavirus vaccine trials in Wales “within weeks”

Researchers at Morriston Hospital in Swansea are aiming to find out why coronavirus can cause blood clots with potentially life threatening complications. WalesOnline reports a team based at the Welsh Centre for Emergency Medicine Research has secured £130,000 funding, including a grant from the Welsh Government, to investigate one of the most devastating consequences of … Continue reading The potentially deadly side effects of coronavirus Welsh doctors are urgently investigating

A new Covid-19 lab testing facility is being set up in Newport in an investment creating two hundred jobs. WalesOnline reports the UK Government’s Lighthouse Lab, at Imperial Park, is a partnership with global diagnostics company PerkinElmer. The project is being supported by the Welsh Government and Life Sciences Hub Wales. Led by the Department … Continue reading New coronavirus testing lab creating 200 jobs in Newport

The next generation of artificial intelligence is helping people in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area get to grips with Covid-19. The BBC reports it provides information on symptoms and the latest Welsh Government advice, and continuously teaches itself based on the conversations it has. The digital assistant can detect users’ mood from … Continue reading Robot CERi is a bilingual coronavirus expert

Health Technology Wales and Life Sciences Hub Wales have pledged support to their complimentary remits and will explore opportunities to partner on projects. Business News Wales reports both organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support technology development and adoption to maximise health benefits for the people of Wales. Health Technology Wales is located … Continue reading Health Technology Wales and Life Sciences Hub Wales in strategic collaboration

Scientists in Cardiff are leading global efforts to decipher and track changes to the genetic code of coronavirus. Little variations in the code could have a big impact on whether the virus becomes more or less infectious, and could determine how effective any future vaccine might be. The BBC reports that samples from six thousand … Continue reading Welsh scientists helping crack coronavirus genetic code