The Haemostasis Biomedical Research Unit (HBRU), led by Professor Adrian Evans, is based within the Emergency Department at Morriston Hospital and has developed an internationally recognised research programme in the field of haemostasis, thromboembolic disease and its treatment. The research programme was started in 2003 by Professor Evans. The current Unit was formed in 2009 as part of a collaborative research programme between Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, the Colleges of Medicine and Engineering at Swansea University and industrial collaborators. The programme has a strong translational theme, focused on the development of new biomarkers to both improve the diagnosis and treatment of thromboembolic disease, with a strong emphasis on how new and current drug therapies can be used to deliver personalised treatment.
The Unit occupies over 1000 square feet, with over £0.5M state of the art research equipment. It is equipped with a full range of devices for coagulation assessment, i.e. platelet analysis, thromboelastography, and general and specific factor analysis as well as an extensive range of rheological testing devices. The Unit is supported by a very large and active haematology department within the University Health Board which is able to carry out a large range of standard and specific haematological clotting tests in support of our ongoing trials. In addition, the Unit has full access to a range of scanning techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. The Unit works closely with pharmaceutical and industrial collaborators to evaluate both current and new drugs and therapies.