The article details the work of the group into reproductive biology and gynaecological oncology research covering basic and translational research into uterine pathologies including endometrial cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and unexplained infertility linked to endometrial (the lining of the womb) dysfunction.

The group is led by Steve Conlan, Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Swansea University’s Medical School, who recently became a trustee of the British Society of NanoMedicine.

More recently new research has been established by the group in the areas of overactive bladder syndrome, ovarian reserve and ovarian cancer.

The group’s research involves the study of cell signalling, transcription and epigenetics, the development of clinically relevant biomarkers for the early detection of disease, which is crucial for their prevention and control, and the development of therapeutic interventions.

As well as using established molecular and cell biology approaches, the group has also developed and applied nanotechnology approaches to their investigations, and in particular, the use of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), to study cellular and molecular interactions in live cells and tissues at the nanoscale.

The group, which works closely with clinicians in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Pathology, in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University (ABMU) Health Board in Singleton Hospital, Swansea, and The Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, currently use AFM to study cancer cells, stem cells and cartilage tissue, and have developed software tools for high throughput data analysis.

The Centre for NanoHealth – integrated with the Institute of Life Science – is a £22million open access R&D facility dedicated to the advancement of healthcare through the application of nanotechnology.

Incorporated in CNH is a fully equipped nano-fabrication and characterisation cleanroom for silicon and non-silicon based developments, a bioclean room for tissue engineering and device functionalisation, NMR, rheolology, biomolecule printing, AFM, SEM, and photonics.

The nano-facility is embedded in a suite of biomedical laboratories offering cell and molecular biology capabilities, microbiology, regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, and nanogenotoxicolgy.

Image: Swansea University Medical School’s Reproductive Biology and Gynaecological Oncology research group. The group is a multidisciplinary team focused on female infertility and uterine cancer, translating fundamental research to patient benefit through novel diagnostic and therapeutic mechanisms. The team is led by Professor Steve Conlan (centre), supported by Dr Deyarina Gonzalez (centre) and Dr Lewis Francis (left), while the group’s clinical lead is Dr Lavinia Margarit (right).