The Science of Good Health

The Science of Good Health

Date: Monday 20 April 2015
Time: 6.00 pm to 7.45 pm
Location: Eastern Gateway Building, Brunel University London

Dame Mary Archer outlines the crucial role of science in the history of good health, and discusses potential future developments in human wellbeing.

Advances in science over recent centuries have allowed the Earth’s population to increase to over 7 billion, and it is only through science that the health of this huge number of people can be sustained. From early agricultural chemistry to the latest techniques in molecular medicine, science has had major impacts on individual and public health.

The development of pharmaceutical drugs has increased life expectancy by some 25-30 years over the past century, while modern diagnostic and surgical techniques have made the previously untreatable treatable. Advances in materials science have transformed dentistry and equipped us with artificial hip and knee joints and synthetic blood vessels, heart valves and skin. Early regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies are now moving into clinical practice, and genetic profiling of individuals and tumours is ushering in the era of personalised medicine.

Among future developments, we may be able to grow or print replacement body organs such as liver, skin and kidneys, biobank information will allow people to understand their individual risk of future disease, and nanorobots may deliver ultraprecise therapies. Death will remain an ultimate certainty, but our life chance of good health before then will increase.

Doors open from 5:30pm, cash bar available before and after the lectures.
Brunel’s Public Lecture series of exciting talks is free and welcome to all, bringing together a variety of experts in a range of fields to discuss topical subjects and how they may affect our future.


About the Speaker

Dame Mary Archer DBE started her career as a physical chemist and taught Chemistry at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Dame Mary was Chair of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2002–2012, and a founder director of Cambridge University Health Partners, 2009–2012. In 2012, she was appointed DBE for services to the NHS. Dame Mary is Chair of the Science Museums Group, Chair of Imperial College Health Partners’ Expert Advisory Board and President of the National Energy Foundation, the UK Solar Energy Society and the Guild of Church Musicians. She is a trustee of the UK Stem Cell Foundation and the Britten Sinfonia, and she has recently joined Hydrodec Group plc as a non-executive director.

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