---
title: "Biomedical sciences"
chunk: 1/2
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomedical_sciences"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T03:47:15.833595+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

Biomedical sciences are a set of sciences applying portions of natural science or formal science, or both, to develop knowledge, interventions, or technology that are of use in healthcare or public health.  Such disciplines as medical microbiology, clinical virology, clinical epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, and biomedical engineering are medical sciences.  In explaining physiological mechanisms operating in pathological processes, however, pathophysiology can be regarded as basic science.
Biomedical Sciences, as defined by the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Benchmark Statement in 2015, includes those science disciplines whose primary focus is the biology of human health and disease and ranges from the generic study of biomedical sciences and human biology to more specialised subject areas such as pharmacology, human physiology and human nutrition. It is underpinned by relevant basic sciences including anatomy and physiology, cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics and molecular biology, pharmacology, immunology, mathematics and statistics, and bioinformatics. As such the biomedical sciences have a much wider range of academic and research activities and economic significance than that defined by hospital laboratory sciences. Biomedical Sciences are the major focus of bioscience research and funding in the 21st century.

== Roles within biomedical science ==
A sub-set of biomedical sciences is the science of clinical laboratory diagnosis. This is commonly referred to in the UK as 'biomedical science' or 'healthcare science'. There are at least 45 different specialisms within healthcare science, which are traditionally grouped into three main divisions:

specialisms involving life sciences
specialisms involving physiological science
specialisms involving medical physics or bioengineering

== Life sciences specialties ==
Molecular toxicology
Molecular pathology
Blood transfusion science
Cervical cytology
Clinical biochemistry
Clinical embryology
Clinical immunology
Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Electron microscopy
External quality assurance
Haematology
Haemostasis and thrombosis
Histocompatibility and immunogenetics
Histopathology and cytopathology
Molecular genetics and cytogenetics
Molecular biology and cell biology
Microbiology including mycology
Bacteriology
Tropical diseases
Phlebotomy
Tissue banking/transplant
Virology

== Physiological science specialisms ==

== Physics and bioengineering specialisms ==

== Biomedical science in the United Kingdom ==
The healthcare science workforce is an important part of the UK's National Health Service. While people working in healthcare science are only 5% of the staff of the NHS, 80% of all diagnoses can be attributed to their work.
The volume of specialist healthcare science work is a significant part of the work of the NHS. Every year, NHS healthcare scientists carry out:

nearly 1 billion pathology laboratory tests
more than 12 million physiological tests
support for 1.5 million fractions of radiotherapy
The four governments of the UK have recognised the importance of healthcare science to the NHS, introducing the Modernising Scientific Careers initiative to make certain that the education and training for healthcare scientists ensures there is the flexibility to meet patient needs while keeping up to date with scientific developments.
Graduates of an accredited biomedical science degree programme can also apply for the NHS' Scientist training programme, which gives successful applicants an opportunity to work in a clinical setting whilst also studying towards an MSc or Doctoral qualification.

== Biomedical Science in Israel ==
In Israel, biomedical science is offered as an academic program at several major institutions, including the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. These programs integrate coursework in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, and immunology with extensive laboratory training and research projects. Many faculty members involved in teaching are also active researchers or clinicians in affiliated hospitals and research centers, and students often participate in laboratory rotations, research internships, and collaborative projects with clinical departments.
Graduates commonly proceed to advanced degrees (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in biomedical and life sciences, join research laboratories in universities, hospitals, biotechnology firms, or pharmaceutical companies, or use the degree as preparation for professional studies such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or public health. In addition, many graduates work in the pharmaceutical and drug-development industry, contributing to preclinical research, diagnostic development, and translational projects. The close ties between universities and major medical centers provide opportunities for exposure to translational and clinical research throughout their studies.

== Biomedical Science in the 20th century ==
At this point in history the field of medicine was the most prevalent sub field of biomedical science, as several breakthroughs on how to treat diseases and help the immune system were made. As well as the birth of body augmentations.

=== 1910s ===
In 1912, the Institute of Biomedical Science was founded in the United Kingdom. The institute is still standing today and still regularly publishes works in the major breakthroughs in disease treatments and other breakthroughs in the field 117 years later. The IBMS today represents approximately 20,000 members employed mainly in National Health Service and private laboratories.

=== 1920s ===
In 1928, British Scientist Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic penicillin. This was a huge breakthrough in biomedical science because it allowed for the treatment of bacterial infections.
In 1926, the first artificial pacemaker was made by Australian physician Dr. Mark C. Lidwell. This portable machine was plugged into a lighting point. One pole was applied to a skin pad soaked with strong salt solution, while the other consisted of a needle insulated  up to the point and was plunged into the appropriate cardiac chamber and the machine started. A switch was incorporated to change the polarity. The pacemaker rate ranged from about 80 to 120 pulses per minute and the voltage also variable from 1.5 to 120 volts.

=== 1930s ===
The 1930s was a huge era for biomedical research, as this was the era where antibiotics became more widespread and vaccines started to be developed. In 1935, the idea of a polio vaccine was introduced by Dr. Maurice Brodie. Brodie prepared a died poliomyelitis  vaccine, which he then tested on chimpanzees, himself, and several children. Brodie's vaccine trials went poorly since the polio-virus became active in many of the human test subjects. Many subjects had fatal side effects, paralyzing, and causing death.