Do you want to find out how stem cells are being used to help treat disease and allow us to live better, for longer?

University of Southampton UOSM2031

As a second year biomedical science student I was given the chance to choose three optional modules for semester two. I knew I wanted to chose Vertebrate Development and Medical Microbiology, but what else? Going through each and every one of the optional modules we had and reading about their contents this first sentence for the Engineering replacement body parts modules intrigued me. I find stem cells fascinating and the range of uses they have is amazing.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been in the kitchen creating recipes and treats like potions a bubble bath when you were young. Baking has always come naturally to me and I find my most creative moments decorating an 8 inch cake in preparation for a big event or brainstorming a treat table for a baby shower. Baking is where I feel my happiest and being able to recreate people’s dream cakes and bakes is extremely fulfilling.

Creation of the brand name

I had been selling the odd box of cupcakes here and there but it wasn’t until lock-down of 2020 where I truly embraced my baking side and decided to take a more professional approach towards my products and how I advertised them. With all the free time on my hands, I began to think and generate a name that reflected both what I do and me as a person. The initial naming process resulted in “sweettoothcupcakes” after discovering that this business name was only taken by a Lady in the states but it just didn’t feel personal to me. After much more deliberating and logo designing, the name of Taylomadecupcakes was born which reflected my name as the personal element, the main basis of what I do (bake) and my speciality – cupcakes! The name fitted perfectly and closely followed was the logo that is still used and incorporated in my products today.

My name is Emma and I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a heart condition where the left ventricle of the heart is larger than it should be and the muscle is thinner than it should be. This means that it is a lot harder for my heart to pump blood around my body.

I was diagnosed at the age of one after having parvo virus. This is what triggered the beginning of my symptoms. Dilated cardiomyopathy is also known as “sudden death syndrome” as many people never experience symptoms, in this way I was lucky.

My mum took me into the hospital and they noticed that all of my organs had a lot of fluid surrounding them, and I even had fluid on my lungs. I was nearly in kidney failure and heart failure.

I was rushed to the Royal Brompton Hospital in London where I was put into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). My mum was then informed that I had a 1/3 chance of death, 1/3 chance of having a heart transplant, and 1/3 chance of being on medication for the rest of my life. It dawned on her then… none of those options were me getting better.

Thankfully I was very lucky. Despite being on the list for a heart transplant, there was a new drug that was available called Carvedilol, this along with six other medications and a strict high calorie diet, saved my life.

Now, with the help of daily medications I am able to live my life normally. I just have to go once a year for a series of investigations and be slightly more careful than most at exercising and high adrenaline activities.

It is miraculous really, I feel incredibly lucky to be alive and live in an age that I can rely on medication for the rest of my life.

Hey everyone and I’m Teg, and I am a second year biomedical sciences student <3

Biomedical Sciences, in my opinion, is an extremely important degree. It encompasses so many vital and important topics such as immunology, pharmacology, genetics and so many more. Biomedical science also proved its importance during the COVID-19 pandemic as biomedical scientists along with other disciplines worked across the world in the race for a vaccine.

Neuroscience gives you the answers to a vast range of questions:

• Why do we dream?
• Why causes Alzheimer’s?
• What happens when we sleep?
• Are we born with different personalities?
• Why do we all think differently?
• Do serial killers have different brains to us?

Take a look at breakthroughs from the past year! – And there are new discoveries everyday!

Neuroscience covers multiple diseases that affect many people – including celebs!

Muhammad Ali and Michael J Fox are well known figures that have Parkinson’s disease.

Ronald Reagan suffered from Alzheimer’s

Lil Wayne has epilepsy

Epilepsy:

I have had epilepsy and seizures since I was 11 and was the main reason I gained an interest in Neuroscience – I wanted to know what was happening to me!

Hi, I am Alex I study Biomedical Science and this is my first blog post.

I picked this module because I am really interested in medical engineering and to get an understanding of how body parts are replaced and produced. I am interested in particular in bionics where artificial limbs and organs are able to replace existing organs and limbs. I find it very fascinating that modern bionics and artificial limbs are becoming more and more advanced to match organic body parts and even in some instances becoming superior to organic body parts. For example an article I have read in the past discussing whether a person might actually favour an artificial limb over their current legs to gain an advantage for rock climbing as a artificial legs has shown to give an advantage in grip and reach that they never had before. I want to learn more about what are the regulations and current state of development of engineering and designing

Here below is a video showcasing how biophysicist Hugh Herr developed his replacement legs.

Olympic water polo is the most nightmarish sport in the world!!!

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5 benefits of playing water polo:

Toning
Water polo players are constantly on the move, using an eggbeater kick to stay high in the water. A good eggbeater is vital to water polo and uses every muscle in your legs

Stamina
You can’t switch off for a second in water polo. It’s a high-paced game where essentially you are interval training.

Easy on the joints
Water polo is an intense, physical game, but the fact that it’s played in water means it’s easier on joints than sport played on hard ground.

Social
Playing team sports is a fantastic way for people to develop their social skills. Teamwork and good communication are vital for success in water polo.

Problem solving
Another benefit of playing a water polo is that it’s great at developing problem solving. You’ll learn strategies to break down a defence and how to play with an extra player. Water polo involves having to think on your feet and find the best scenario straight away.

Hopefully this post will entice a few more people to give the sport a go!