Biotech: when Physiology meets Technology

With the explosion of wearable fitness tracking technology available to consumers, I will discuss what each of the measures mean, why they are important to our health and how they can be used to improve the efficiency of our physical activity. We will cover topics such as where the magic 10,000 steps per day is derived, understanding our heart rate at rest and during different activities, and the importance of moving when your device tells you to. So, strap on your watch, increase your step count by going to the bar, then let your heart rate settle while I talk you through what it all means.

Major advances have been achieved in the past decades in the areas of computer graphics and virtual reality (VR), including a variety of simulations for surgical training. Orthopaedic Research Institute (ORI) are involved in the development of robotic surgery and the use of computer navigation in surgery. They are now collaborating with international companies to develop world leading virtual reality trainers. This talk outlines ORI’s current research on surgical training simulators being adopted into mainstream clinical practice.

Breathing exercises have long been used as part of yoga meditation, claiming to aid relaxation. Once viewed by scientists with scepticism, recent research has shown that slow and deep breathing induces a number of powerful physiological changes that can be linked to improved health and well-being. Researchers at BU have found that the effects of slow breathing are highly individual, but that it’s possible to identify a personalised breathing rhythm that maximises the responses. This talk will explore how breathing influences the cardiovascular system, and introduce an App created by BU.