15 April 2013 Last updated at 12:30 ET

Breakthroughs in understanding how diseases like Alzheimer's and bowel cancer take hold have been highlights of 10 years of a Welsh genetic research "hothouse," says its head.

The Wales Gene Park is marking a decade of academic developments and turning research into treatments for the NHS.

Director Julian Sampson said Wales was recognised for its genetic research.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said the park's work was modernising the health service and improving future health.

The Wales Gene Park has bases at both Cardiff and Swansea universities.

One of the centre's achievements has been the development of a drug treatment for an inherited disorder known as tuberous sclerosis.

This causes multiple tumours to grow on the body's organs and in certain serious cases can be fatal.

The pace of technological developments is very quick

"Genetic research in Cardiff identified the gene that causes inherited tuberous sclerosis and we then worked out the functions of these genes," said Prof Sampson.

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Genetic hothouse celebrates 10 years

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