Burns & Plastics Surgery

The Welsh Centre for Burns & Plastic Surgery, covering the entire population of South Wales is based at Morriston Hospital Swansea. The Unit has strong collaborative academic links with Prof David Thomas of Cardiff University, where the majority of laboratory-based research is undertaken. Ongoing research is currently undertaken in a diverse range of scientific areas relevant to the academic plastic surgeon.

Tissue Engineering
Research in the Tissue Engineering group is focused on understanding the cellular and molecular mechnisms which regulate human wound healing and how they are disordered in abnormal healing responses e.g. scarring or non-healing. The group has a longstanding record in translating this research to clinical practice via the development of patented novel therapies (based on polymer therapeutics and nanomedicines) to treat patients. The research group was designated as ‘world-leading’ in the recent 2008 RAE and has a long, successful record in training research fellows at MD/PhD level. There is access to state of the art imaging, cell culture and laboratory facilities in the newly refurbished laboratories at the School of Dentistry at the Heath Park Site.
Particular research areas are:
Nanomedicine
Research here has developed novel nanomedicines and polymer therapeutics as biological response modifiers in a range of pathological diseases (e.g. infection, surgical & burn wounds). This research programme involves multi-disciplinary collaborations between clinicians, chemists, pharmacists and engineers to facilitate the design, synthesis and characterisation (biological and physicochemical) of novel therapies for human disease.
Stem cell biology
Research here is developing stem/progenitor cell populations for use in regenerative medicine; controlling stem cell differentiation to generate multiple tissue types such as neuronal and dermal tissues and immunomodulation. This large group has extensive national/international collaborations and is funded MRC, EPSRC, ERC.
Contacts:

Dean Boyce

D W Thomas