Institute of Life Science

The first phase of the Institute of Life Science (ILS1) opened its doors in 2007 and was hailed the Jewel in the Crown of Wales for its vision to drive medical research for the health, wealth and wellbeing of the people of Wales. Valued at £52 million, it brought to life a six-storey purpose-built facility at the western end of the University’s Singleton Park campus, strategically located between the Medical School and Singleton Hospital.

Institute of Life Science 1

The Institute of Life Science 1 opened in 2007. Its graceful design incorporates a full-height atrium and makes imaginative use of materials to maximise natural light. Over six floors, it houses state-of-the-art research laboratories, dedicated business incubation facilities for our client organisations and a relaxed café area where ideas can be shared and staff and students can interact. On a day-to-day basis, it houses over 200 specialists in medical science research and teaching, business development and technology transfer.

Institute of Life Science 2

Entrance to ILS2 from Singlton Hospital side

The Institute of Life Science 2 (ILS2) hosts a number of key research facilities including the Centre for NanoHealth, a £22million open access Research & Development facility dedicated to the advancement of healthcare through the application of nanotechnology, a Joint Clinical Research Facility (JCRF) focusing on innovative medical treatments to common illnesses, and state of the art Clinical Imaging Facility (CIF). Our ILS2 building also offers a number of ‘incubation’ units, offering rental space to start-up companies working in the area of Life Science.

Tenants and Affiliate

Rent a desk or office suite in one of our buildings, or register as an Affiliate Member, and become part of our vibrant network of like-minded businesses in life sciences.

SUSIM

The Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre uses a variety of simulation-based education methodologies to support learners to reflect and develop through real world scenarios.

NNIISH

The National Network for Innovation In Sport & Health brings together the worlds of sport-tech, med-tech, and healthcare, fostering an ideal environment for innovation and idea development.

Swansea Trials Unit

STU offers advice and support to clinical teams in designing new trials and in applying for grants. They then work to develop, initiate, conduct, manage, analyse and report studies.

Health Data Science

Health Data Science is a growing and multi-disciplinary field which focuses on collections of individuals and their biological, economic, social, and environmental experiences.

Analytical Technology

Analytical Technology uses mass spectrometry to analyse confocal equipment and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and manufacturing samples.

AWEN Institute

The Centre for Innovative Ageing is key in research that enables our researchers to work with other institutions and explore specific aspects of ageing research and influence policy.

Health Technology Centre

HTC brings partners from industry, academia, and the NHS together within the life sciences and healthcare setting to drive research and innovation to develop, evaluate and deploy new technologies.

Clinical Imaging Facility

The CIF facilitates clinical research in pharmaceuticals in oncology, clinical application of MRI and the development of imaging based clinical pathways.

Health and Wellbeing Academy

The Health and Wellbeing Academy offers services like osteopathy, audiology, and cardiology, leveraging the University’s research strengths for world-class teaching and community benefits.

Swansea Centre for Health Economics

SCHE focusses on the development and application of health economics methods to ‘real life’ issues in health care policy and delivery.

Joint Clinical Research Facility

JCRF aims to increase and deliver clinical research studies within the health board by evaluating new medicines, procedures and devices.

What goes on in the Institute of Life Science

Learning and Teaching

Many Medical School students undertaking research projects as part of their studies will do so under the supervision of world-leading academics and researchers based in ILS1. For BSc students, these take place over 3 months in the final year, while MSci students will spend their entire final year developing an extended research project. Postgraduate Research students will be based amongst experts in their chosen research theme.

Research

Over the six floors of ILS1, you will find four modern research laboratories equipped with the latest instrumentation for biomolecular analysis, such as confocal microscopy, high content imaging, flow cytometry suite, mass spectrometry, DNA sequencing facility and bioinformatics capabilities.

These major facilities enable delivery of research and innovation across the Medical School’s major Research Themes: Biomarkers & Genes, Devices, Microbes and Immunity, and Patient & Population Health and Informatics. Applicants applying for a research degree are encouraged to relate their application to one of these four themes.

Enterprise and Innovation

Are you an early stage life science enterprise with aspirations of growth? The ILS environment helps innovative organisations to grow quickly. Become a Client Organisation and rent an office suite in one of our buildings, or an Affiliate Member, and become part of our vibrant network of like-minded businesses in life sciences without being physically based here. While there are different membership packages, the benefits are the same:

An Office suite within the ILS with access to facilities to develop your business idea
Access to laboratory space
Meeting and conference rooms, including specialist facilities and equipment, with some limited free use
Seminars and workshops organised by the Medical School
Networking events, providing the opportunity to collaborate with other Affiliates and Client Organisations
Access to Business Support staff

Interested in applying or finding out more? Find out about our Affiliate and Tenant Scheme.

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