iiCON Infection Innovation Consortium Tackling Infections Mini Sandpit
Lead Research Organisation:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Department Name: Vector Biology
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Janet Hemingway (Principal Investigator) |
| Title | Tackling infections awardees video |
| Description | Video of iiCON tackling infections awardees giving a brief overview of their projects |
| Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Impact | Project dissemination |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/introducing-iicons-tackling-infectious-diseases-projects/ |
| Description | After successful sandpit events in Liverpool and London attended by 91 people, iiCON (Infection Innovation Consortium) opened a call for proposals that use innovative ways to tackle infections. The call received 90 applications and 11 new projects, 9 pilot studies and 2 network grants, were awarded. These projects are 1. Development of a scalable blood test to determine heterosubtypic immunity to avian influenza 2. Use of novel technologies to tackle infections: a one stop sputum-free diagnosis for Tuberculosis 3. An open innovation network to drive commercialisation of microbiome research 4. Improving knowledge of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker populations in Liverpool through community-based participatory research 5. InfectiScanâ„¢: Pioneering rapid diagnosis of antimicrobial resistance in bodily fluid samples - A feasibility pilot study 6. From Theory to Practice: Mathematical approaches to disrupt infectious disease transmission 7. Developing a robust self-disinfecting coating to reduce transmission of pathogens via touch surfaces in hospitals and beyond 8. Rational engineering of inorganic crystals as novel therapeutics to induce antimicrobial activity in host cells 9. Efficacy of nitric oxide releasing coatings and fibres against monkeypox virus 10. The comprehensive understanding of disease and AI research (CURE) project 11. Infection model based on multi-layer vascularised skin-on-a-chip for the evaluation of antibacterial products The results of these projects will be reported in next year's Researchfish submission. |
| Exploitation Route | The award recipients will bring new, disruptive approaches to tackling infections. |
| Sectors | Healthcare |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/iicon-funds-11-new-innovative-projects-focused-on-tackling-infectious-diseases/ |
| Title | 16157269264 - University of Liverpool - Multi-Layer Infection-on-Chip Evaluation System (M-LICES) |
| Description | The Multi-Layer Infection-on-Chip Evaluation System (M-LICES) represents the first vascularized, multilayered skin-on-a-chip model, able to better simulate human skin and study skin infections. This advanced platform mimics the complex structure of human skin, including perfusable microvessels, enabling detailed investigation of infection dynamics and the evaluation of antimicrobial treatments. Key Features • Realistic Infection Modeling: M-LICES simulates infections across various skin layers, including the epidermis and dermis, making it useful for studying common skin conditions such as cellulitis and wound infections. • Vascularization for Improved Accuracy: By incorporating a vascularized network, the model closely mimics human skin, allowing more accurate testing of infection progression and treatment effects. • Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy: The system enables the testing of a wide range of antimicrobial agents, assessing their effectiveness in penetrating skin layers and combating infections such as Staphylococcus aureus. • Non-Animal Model: M-LICES supports efforts to reduce reliance on animal models by providing a robust, in vitro alternative for skin infection and antimicrobial testing. The model development started in the last quarter of 2024, thanks to the economic support of the iiCON consortium provided via the tackling infection funding call. The model is currently in its validation phase. |
| Type Of Material | Cell line |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Expected Outcomes: - Advanced Multilayered Skin-on-a-Chip Model: The project will deliver a validated skin-on-a-chip model that closely replicates the layered structure of human skin with perfusable microvessels, substantially enhancing the simulation and study of skin infections. This platform will allow for precise intervention testing and improve the understanding of infections dynamics across skin layers. - Improved Insight into Infection Mechanisms: Through the utilization of real-time high-resolution monitoring and advanced bio-molecular assays, our project will provide deeper insights into the initiation, progression, and treatment of skin infections. These findings will drive the development of more effective targeted interventions, ultimately leading to better clinical outcomes and reduced treatment costs. |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/iicon-funds-11-new-innovative-projects-focused-on-tackling-infec... |
| Title | Evaluation of antiviral surfaces against Monkeypox virus - 16157269264 |
| Description | Development of an antiviral testing protocol to evaluate efficacy of novel technologies against emerging viruses. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Too early to report |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/iicon-funds-11-new-innovative-projects-focused-on-tackling-infec... |
| Description | St George's, University of London - UKRI Tackling Infections Funding Call |
| Organisation | St George's University of London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | LSTM awarded St. George's, University of London £142,918 under the UKRI Tackling Infections Funding Call to support the piloting of the The Comprehensive Understanding of Disease and AI Research (CURE) project |
| Collaborator Contribution | St George's will map where data exists systematically working out what has been published in this area and engaging the research and public health community in the UK and worldwide to create a map highlighting existing data and data gaps. Their novel work in the Comprehensive Understanding of Disease and AI Research (CURE) project will reduce the time that researchers require to search for data. Through innovative machine learning systems and artificial intelligence (AI) we will reduce the considerable time and energy each project uses to collate data for further analysis. We will reduce the time needed for data cleaning and provide more time to design novel interventions and reduce drug-resistant infections in the future. |
| Impact | St. George's, University of London have attended the following iiCON run engagement events: - Participation in an activity, workshop or similar - E229 Tackling Infection Novel Technologist Mini Sandpit (London) - A talk or presentation - E268: Sandpit award winners fringe event - Participation in an activity, workshop or similar - E276: BioInfect 2025 - The Spine - iiCON main sponsor |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | University of Bristol - UKRI Tackling Infections Funding Call |
| Organisation | University of Bristol |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | LSTM awarded University of Bristol £ under the UKRI Tackling Infections Funding Call for a pilot study to develop a robust self-disinfecting coating to reduce transmission of pathogens via touch surfaces in hospitals and beyond. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Bristol will develop a robust and highly efficient self-disinfecting coating that possesses photocatalytic antimicrobial/fungal/viral properties powered by visible light, enabling effective removal of pathogens and any other bio-contaminations on high touch surfaces in hospital settings. This will provide a safe and environmentally sustainable solution to help prevent the spread of infections, which is particularly important in a hospital setting where many patients already have weakened immune systems. The novel self-disinfecting surfaces would significantly reduce the risk of pathogen transmission in hospitals and other highly populated places such as schools and shops. |
| Impact | University of Bristol have attended the following engagement events: - Participation in an activity, workshop or similar - E229 Tackling Infection Novel Technologist Mini Sandpit (London) |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | University of Liverpool - Skin Model - UKRI Tackling Infections Funding Call |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | LSTM have awarded £142,385 to University of Liverpool to support the development of an infection model based on multi-layer vascularised skin-on-achip for the evaluation of antibacterial products |
| Collaborator Contribution | The multi-layer vascularized skin-on-a-chip project aims to advance the study of infectious skin diseases by developing a sophisticated multilayer infectable skin model that mimics human skin's complexity. This model includes perfusable microvessels and immune cells, creating a controlled environment for accurately simulating infections like cellulitis, impetigo, and wound infections. By incorporating human dermal fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and keratinocytes, this novel platform replicates the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin, allowing for a realistic simulation of bacterial infections. The system's ability to model infections at various skin depths and observe the dynamics in realtime with advanced imaging techniques offers a significant leap forward in understanding infection mechanisms. The project will utilize Staphylococcus aureus to simulate a range of skin infections and assess the infection process using high-resolution monitoring and bio-molecular assays. This detailed observation will provide critical insights into biofilm formation and infection progression, which are essential for developing effective treatments. Additionally, the project will evaluate the efficacy of various antibacterial products, both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical, within this model. The goal is to determine their effectiveness in penetrating biofilms and eradicating bacteria at different skin depths, providing a more accurate assessment compared to existing models. This innovative approach addresses a significant gap in current skin infection research, offering a more precise and reliable method for studying infections and testing treatments. The outcomes of this project are expected to enhance the development of targeted interventions, leading to better clinical outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. |
| Impact | University of Liverpool have attended the following iiCON led engagement events: - Participation in an activity, workshop or similar - E111- Tackling Infection Novel Technologies Mini Sandpit (Liverpool) - A talk or presentation - E268: Sandpit award winners fringe event - Participation in an activity, workshop or similar - E276: BioInfect 2025 - The Spine - iiCON main sponsor |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | University of Liverpool - nitric oxide releasing coatings/fibres against MPox - UKRI Tackling Infections Funding Call |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | LSTM leads the £120,170.87 pilot project: Efficacy of nitric oxide releasing coatings and fibres against monkeypox virus. LSTM's role is to develop the methodology to evaluate the surfaces, fabrics, and PPE, along with the cytotoxicity analysis and technology evaluation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | UoL is a collaborator, receiving £27, 258.29, under the LSTM led pilot project: Efficacy of nitric oxide releasing coatings and fibres against monkeypox virus. UoL will contribute the following to the project: i) Antimicrobial surface generation; ii) Antimicrobial surface characterization; iii) Draft of methodology and results for antimicrobial surface generation. |
| Impact | University of Liverpool have attended the following engagement events: |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | University of Stirling - UKRI Tackling Infections Funding Call |
| Organisation | University of Stirling |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | LSTM awarded University of Stirling £39,583.51 under the UKRI Tackling Infections Funding Call for a network grant to develop mathematical approaches to disrupt infectious disease transmission. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Stirling will create a multidisciplinary team consisting of experts capable of developing and validating mathematical models to create novel strategies for effective disease control. The initial core of this team comprises experts in antimicrobial resistance modelling, infectious disease modelling, aquaculture, medicine, microbiology, and biotechnology. The models they aim to develop will be capable of testing the effects of policy interventions to reduce the evolution of antimicrobial resistance and the spread of disease. Importantly, these models will be capable of identifying those policies that are most effective in controlling the spread of AMR and disease whilst also minimising the effect on society. The will be capable of identifying optimal disease surveillance strategies to build an effective early warning system and thus aid efficient decision-making processes related to disease prevention, control, and resource allocation. |
| Impact | University of Stirling have engaged in the following events: - Participation in an activity, workshop or similar - E229 Tackling Infection Novel Technologist Mini Sandpit (London) - Participation in an activity, workshop or similar - E276: BioInfect 2025 - The Spine - iiCON main sponsor - Participation in an activity, workshop or similar - E293: University of Stirling (Sandpit UKRI network awardee) Led Tackling Infection Workshop part 1 |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Title | 16157269264 - CCI Photonics - InfectiScan |
| Description | InfectiScanTM is a platform technology device, that works using infrared technology and machine learning. InfectiScanTM generates a signal obtained from a biological sample (in vitro or clinical), it is then processed with our machine learning models and in just 15 minutes the models perform the detection of microorganisms responsible for causing infections in humans. We are currently on Technology Readiness Level 5, aiming to reach Technology Readiness Level 6 in March 2026. This development is currently financially supported by UKRI-iiCON £150K award which we obtained to work in collaboration with LSTM and enhance the laboratory validation of InfectiScanTM. Additionally, CCI Photonics secured investment from, Praetura Ventures and LYVA labs, a total sum of £300K, that enables the day-to-day activities at CCI Photonics. |
| Type | Diagnostic Tool - Non-Imaging |
| Current Stage Of Development | Refinement. Non-clinical |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2025 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | By understanding the device thanks the collaboration with LSTM, we can improve the user experience design of the platform technology. Understanding the missing gaps, will enable us to enhance the operation of the product and helping primary care staff to relief current patient outcomes (up to 3 days delays), providing certainty over the accurate presence of infections. |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/iicon-funds-11-new-innovative-projects-focused-on-tackling-infec... |
| Title | 16157269264 - ImmunoServ - Avian Flu Immuno-T |
| Description | Avian influenza viruses pose a significant pandemic threat to the human population. Recent reports of H5N1 spread amongst cattle herds in the US have led to heightened surveillance by public health bodies, with concerns that viral mutations may facilitate zoonotic and ultimately human-to-human transmission. If this situation occurs, it remains unknown whether pre-existing heterosubtypic immunity, developed from prior exposure to related influenza infections and/or influenza vaccination, would prevent any significant impact on humans. Immunity tests are often heralded as "game-changers" in understanding individual and population risk from infectious diseases of pandemic potential; however, these tests largely focus on humoral immune responses and are often inaccurate. Instead, a recent report in Nature Immunology identified that protection from symptomatic influenza strongly correlated with increased frequencies of influenza-specific T cells, independent of serological markers (Mettelman et al. 2023). During the COVID-19 pandemic, ImmunoServ's team developed the world's first standardised, scalable T cell test (called the 'Immuno-T' test) that effectively identified individuals most at-risk from SARS-CoV-2 infection, again based on the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses (Scurr et al. 2022). Currently, ImmunoServ are adapting the Immuno-T test to better understand immunity and vaccine immunogenicity to other infectious diseases, including avian influenza. At the start of the project, this test was at TRL2-3. Specifically for this project, peptide pools spanning immunogenic H5N1 antigens have now been synthesised and lyophilised into heparin microtainers. Initial testing has begun on capillary blood samples collected into these tubes by individuals (TRL4). Anticipate by end of project to be at TRL6-7 (prototype technology demonstrated in a relevant / operational environment). Most recent principle source of funding for this project is from the iiCON Infection Innovation Consortium Tackling Infections fund (via the UKRI). |
| Type | Support Tool - For Medical Intervention |
| Current Stage Of Development | Early clinical assessment |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2025 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | First demonstration that H5N1-specific T cell responses can successfully be measured utilising the latest capillary blood-draw technology (painless Tasso device attached to upper arm). Initial datasets have been obtained that identify a breadth of immunity levels to H5N1, with some individuals demonstrating large magnitude of responses whilst others have minimal. The larger pilot study is now recruiting participants to better understand whether higher-risk individuals, i.e. those working with poultry, exhibit higher or lower levels of immunity. |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/iicon-launches-applications-for-1-5m-ukri-tackling-infections-fu... |
| Title | 16157269264 - Iuvantium - Novel inorganic-based antimicrobial agents |
| Description | Antimicrobial agents are routinely used to treat human and animal infections, but pathogens can develop antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to them and render them ineffective. There is an alarming increase in AMR which is now recognised as a serious global public health threat, because of its enormous humanitarian and economic impact. Tackling AMR with disruptive approaches is a key strategic goal of iiCON and the consortia partners of University of Liverpool (UoL) and the Liverpool School of tropical Medicine (LSTM), the designated subcontractors of this project. All current antimicrobial strategies target the pathogens, and there are no approved therapeutics that can induce antimicrobial activities directly in host cells. Metal ions have long been recognised for their antimicrobial activities, and there is emerging evidence that metals such as gallium, zinc and silver (sometimes as nanoparticles) can induce antimicrobial activities of macrophages. Iuvantium Ltd. is developing a large class of inorganic metal-based crystalline materials, known as layered double hydroxides (LDH) as immune modulators. This technology originates from seminal findings of the CSO that were reported in Williams et al. (2014) J Exp Med 211:1019-1025 and which describes the highly predictable and diverse immunological properties of these nanomaterials. Iuvantium has synthesised and characterised a new library of LDHs of different compositions, and hence different physicochemical properties, and demonstrated that these selectively drive different types of immunological responses. Amongst these are so-called Th1 and/or Th17 responses of CD4+ 'helper' T cells as well as CD8+ 'killer' (cytotoxic) T cells. Th1 responses target intracellular pathogens, Th17 responses target extracellular pathogens, and CD8 T cells kill infected cells. LSTM has human infection models of Salmonella which has both an extracellular phase that is potentially susceptible to Th17 responses, and an intracellular phase when it infects macrophages and therefore could be targeted by Th1 and CD8 killer T cell responses. Iuvantium has available the only known inorganic molecules that can drive Th17 or mixed Th1-Th17 responses. It was previously shown (Williams et al. op. cit) these compounds also act directly on human macrophages to drive cytokine, chemokine and costimulatory molecule responses. Importantly, impacts on cellular responses related to antimicrobial activities were not been studied, but can now be evaluated in this project at UoL. The aim of this project is to validate our hypothesis that Iuvantium's compounds have capacity to induce direct antimicrobial activity against Salmonella in human macrophages, using well-established THP1 cell models and assays respectively available at LSTM for efficacy studies and, in parallel, at UoL for mechanistic studies. The identified lead compounds could then be developed as a new class of therapeutics to provide a novel and disruptive strategy to tackling AMR. Specific objectives are to evaluate: (WP1-4) their impact on cellular assays related to antimicrobial/cell function; and efficacy against Salmonella infection (WP5), using a human macrophage cell line. These objectives will bring together and exploit the two synergistic platform technologies of world-renowned PIs, Prof. Neill Liptrott at UoL (WP1-4) and Dr. Shaun Pennington at LSTM (WP5) and their respective expert staff. Funding for this project was secured from the UKRI Tackling Infections Network as a pilot grant which was awarded for the period 01/11/20-31/07/25. This research is currently at TRL4. |
| Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Drug |
| Current Stage Of Development | Refinement. Non-clinical |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2025 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | Iuvantium is committed to expanding the collaborations and partnership with UoL, LSTM and iiCON and keen on further knowledge exchange between the 3 partners to explore other joint projects in the infectious disease space. This is happening during the 4 bi-monthly project meetings at the iiCON premises. From a scientific & technical aspect, this project will initially deliver proof of concept and identify initial lead compounds with therapeutic potential. The data will later be incorporated into Iuvantium's established ML/AL algorithms to identify key physicochemical properties can drive antimicrobial activities in macrophages. In the longer term, this may enable reverse engineering of new compounds. From a commercial perspective, the project will deliver preliminary data that can be used by iuvantium to enter discussions with its commercial partners interested in antimicrobial immune modulation. Additionally, it will be the basis for larger, more substantive, collaborative funding opportunities with iiCON or other funders. If successful, the approach would completely disrupt existing approaches and perceived wisdom about tackling AMR; it will not only enhance Iuvantium's investment case but also change how others may approach these problems and overcome limitations of existing approaches. Ultimately, the project may enable the development of an entirely new therapeutic asset for Iuvantium, and contribute to the UK's AMR strategy and solidify the UK's leadership in new strategies to treat infectious diseases. |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/iicon-launches-applications-for-1-5m-ukri-tackling-infections-fu... |
| Title | 16157269264 - LSTM & UoL - Antiviral Surfaces |
| Description | This project aims to develop Nitric Oxide releasing polymer coatings, fibres, and PPE to combat monkeypox spread. The technology is currently at TRL 6-7 (Prototype Demonstration in Relevant Environments) and is funded by UKRi Tackling Infections Call. |
| Type | Preventative Intervention - Physical/Biological risk modification |
| Current Stage Of Development | Initial development |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2025 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | N/A |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/iicon-funds-11-new-innovative-projects-focused-on-tackling-infec... |
| Title | 16157269264 - TB Rapid Diagnostic - LSTM & Strathclyde |
| Description | We will use state-of-the-art proteomic and sequencing approaches to identify urinary biomarkers associated with active TB by analysing the proteomic and genomic data from urine samples, we aim to discover novel urinary biomarkers that can serve as the basis for developing new diagnostic tests. In collaboration with the Technology Innovation Centre at the University of Strathclyde, we will use these discovered biomarkers to develop pilot test prototypes utilising advanced biosensor technology. This novel approach aims to develop a point-of-care test that is portable, rapid (within 1 hour), accurate, and non-invasive, enabling selective biomarker detection in patient urine. This addresses the critical needs identified by the WHO and provides a viable solution for TB diagnosis in resource-limited settings. We are current at initial development, at the target discovery stage. The project is funded by the UKRI Tackling Infections Call. |
| Type | Diagnostic Tool - Non-Imaging |
| Current Stage Of Development | Initial development |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2025 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | Too early to report |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/iicon-funds-11-new-innovative-projects-focused-on-tackling-infec... |
| Title | 16157269264 - University of Bristol - Self-Disinfecting Surface Coating |
| Description | This project is aimed at developing a robust self-disinfecting coating to reduce transmission of pathogens via touch surfaces in hospitals and other healthcare settings. It is still in the initial proof-of concept development stage (TRL 3/4) under the current UKRI funding. |
| Type | Preventative Intervention - Physical/Biological risk modification |
| Current Stage Of Development | Initial development |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2025 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | Too early to report |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/iicon-funds-11-new-innovative-projects-focused-on-tackling-infec... |
| Title | 16157269264 - University of Liverpool - Multi-Layer Infection-on-Chip Evaluation System (M-LICES) |
| Description | The Multi-Layer Infection-on-Chip Evaluation System (M-LICES) represents the first vascularized, multilayered skin-on-a-chip model, able to better simulate human skin and study skin infections. This advanced platform mimics the complex structure of human skin, including perfusable microvessels, enabling detailed investigation of infection dynamics and the evaluation of antimicrobial treatments. Key Features • Realistic Infection Modeling: M-LICES simulates infections across various skin layers, including the epidermis and dermis, making it useful for studying common skin conditions such as cellulitis and wound infections. • Vascularization for Improved Accuracy: By incorporating a vascularized network, the model closely mimics human skin, allowing more accurate testing of infection progression and treatment effects. • Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy: The system enables the testing of a wide range of antimicrobial agents, assessing their effectiveness in penetrating skin layers and combating infections such as Staphylococcus aureus. • Non-Animal Model: M-LICES supports efforts to reduce reliance on animal models by providing a robust, in vitro alternative for skin infection and antimicrobial testing. The model development started in the last quarter of 2024, thanks to the economic support of the iiCON consortium provided via the tackling infection funding call. The model is currently a TRL3, transitioning to TRL4 through a validation phase, performed against a patented pig skin model developed by the external partner 5Dhpg, SME based in Liverpool with expertise on infection modelling and antimicrobial therapy. |
| Type | Support Tool - For Fundamental Research |
| Current Stage Of Development | Initial development |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2025 |
| Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
| Impact | Expected Impact This model will enhance our understanding of skin infection mechanisms and improve the assessment of antimicrobial treatments. Its realistic structure and vascularization offer a valuable tool for pharmaceutical development and help reduce the need for animal testing, supporting more ethical and efficient research practices. |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/iicon-funds-11-new-innovative-projects-focused-on-tackling-infec... |
| Description | E111- Tackling Infection Novel Technologies Mini Sandpit (Liverpool) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 1st of two mini sandpit events with plenary and break out session workshops. Businesses in the infection space and those not typically in this area were invited to come up with novel approached to tackling infection. Outcomes from event informed funding call out (UKRI) 14/03/2024 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | E206 PR: UKRI Sandpit News |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | News articles featured in various titles around UKRI sandpit event launch 14/02/2024 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://article.wn.com/view/2024/02/29/New_15_million_novel_technologies_initiative_launches_to_acc/ |
| Description | E229 Tackling Infection Novel Technologist Mini Sandpit (London) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | 2nd sandpit in London attracted guests from around the country and abroad. Attendance was impacted by national rail strikes this week. Venue was The Royal Institution of Great Britain. 09/05/2024 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/infection-transmission-sandpit-event-london-tickets-844668836227 |
| Description | E268: Sandpit award winners fringe event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Fringe event as part of the 125 symposium - siccessful UKRI award project teams meet and present to the group - Wolfson theatre - Spine |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | E272: PR Tackling Infections Novel technologies Awardees Announcement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Press release, article on iiCON website and link to it on iiCON social media |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.infectioninnovation.com/iicon-funds-11-new-innovative-projects-focused-on-tackling-infec... |
| Description | E276: BioInfect 2025 - The Spine - iiCON main sponsor |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | iiCON was a sponsor for this conference run by Bio Now. 7 out of 11 UKRI sandpit awardees presented on their projects. We had an exhibition stand. JH was a speaker (see awards) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | E277: Comms - Tackling Infections project updates at 125 LSTM event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The 11 tackling infections projects all gave a short overview. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | E293: University of Stirling (Sandpit UKRI network awardee) Led Tackling Infection Workshop part 1 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | "15 academics from 6 different fields (pharmacy, social science, mathematics, computing science, medicine, microbiology) as well as one industry partner attended a workshop in Liverpool. The aim was to identify problems tackling the spread of infectious diseases and what is required to model the spread accurately so as to develop realistic strategies for controlling the spread. The group identified 5 key areas for potential research. The next workshop will focus on these areas, develop strategies and identify the most fruitful areas for investigation in the third workshop." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | E296: Phase 1 workshop (AMR CIT) - Day 1 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Community Innovation Team workshop: orienting CITs on the ReCITE programme; review and analyse data relating to antibiotic knowledge and use; reflect on lessons learned in gathering community insights and gathering community assets; plan for gathering local insights in target populations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | E297: Phase 1 workshop (AMR CIT) - Day 2 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Community Innovation Team workshop: orienting CITs on the ReCITE programme; review and analyse data relating to antibiotic knowledge and use; reflect on lessons learned in gathering community insights and gathering community assets; plan for gathering local insights in target populations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | E306: Phase 2 workshop (Immunisations and AMR) - Day 1 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | To reflect on progress and learning since phase 1.To review and analyse community insights data.To refine the CIT problem statement and target population based on data. To conduct a root cause analysis.To ideastorm potential solutions and identify those that tackle root causes.To develop a draft innovation plan. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | E307: Phase 2 workshop (Immunisations and AMR) - Day 2 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | To reflect on progress and learning since phase 1.To review and analyse community insights data.To refine the CIT problem statement and target population based on data. To conduct a root cause analysis.To ideastorm potential solutions and identify those that tackle root causes.To develop a draft innovation plan. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | E311: Lyva Labs - 30 Microbiome Stakeholder Interviews |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | A celebration event led by Writing on the Wall, bringing together the three What's Your Story? groups to share their stories and creative outputs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | E313: Lyva Labs - Innovate UK Business Connect Newsletter |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Shared details on our project and survey link via the Innovate UK Business Connect newsletter to scope interested stakeholders for interviews, workshops, and participation in the survey. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | E314: Lyva Labs - Survey Dissemination |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Shared details on our project and survey link via Liverpool Health partners (LHP), iiCON, and Microbiome Innovation Centre (MIC) at University of Liverpool to scope interested stakeholders for interviews, workshops, and participation in the survey. The survey was also shared via LYVA Labs LinkedIn page which reached 755 members and had 1300+ impressions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |