National Biofilms Innovation Centre
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Microbial biofilms and communities represent, collectively, the largest biomass on the planet, with an estimated 96% of microbes on Earth found in microbial biofilms and communities rather than in a free-swimming form. Biofilms play major roles in the biology of the natural and built environments, and in maintaining public health. They are one of the biggest causes of hospital-acquired infections and can cause chronic disease.
In addition to their well-recognised role in infection and disease, they can underpin or disrupt a wide range of industrial sectors: from food and drink to oil and gas, and from the marine industries to the built environment. The annual economic significance and impact of biofilms has been estimated at ~$3,900 bn globally (approx. £45 bn in the UK).
The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) is a pan-UK Innovation and Knowledge Centre established to connect the expertise of the UK's academic community with end users in industry and the third sector. By bringing together the UK's strength in biofilm research, and combining it with the expertise of industrialists, NBIC aims to deliver new solutions and breakthrough technologies that will have an impact on day-to-day lives.
During Phase 2, as NBIC matures, we will harness the large academic and industry user base brought together over the last 4 years to focus on the development of new technologies for the prevention, detection, management and engineering of biofilm communities. We will draw on the best of our scientists and engineers to determine how best to safely design surfaces that prevent biofilms, establish methods to determine whether a problematic biofilm is present, create protocols for managing biofilms safely when they cannot be eradicated, and determine how to engineer biofilms for maximum benefit. We will do this by establishing ways of measuring biofilms that can be widely shared with the community, using advanced techniques and computational tools at our disposal. By leveraging our national connectivity, we will also establish uniform standards that can be used to guide the regulatory environment around biofilm control and exploitation.
As the predominant biomass on the planet, biofilms are susceptible to the changing environment driven by global warming, and will play an important role in new sources of energy generation. As climate change progresses, biofilm communities that are important to food and water security will also change, in ways that it is difficult to predict. As our infrastructure changes to adapt to a NetZero world, new biofilm challenges will inevitably arise.
By harnessing the strengths of our disparate community, comprising biological and physical scientists, engineers, mathematicians, social scientists, clinicians, industrialists and entrepreneurs and by training the next generation of scientists who can address complex biofilm research questions, we will place the UK at the forefront of the effort to mitigate these global challenges, leading to a sustainable and prosperous UK.
In addition to their well-recognised role in infection and disease, they can underpin or disrupt a wide range of industrial sectors: from food and drink to oil and gas, and from the marine industries to the built environment. The annual economic significance and impact of biofilms has been estimated at ~$3,900 bn globally (approx. £45 bn in the UK).
The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) is a pan-UK Innovation and Knowledge Centre established to connect the expertise of the UK's academic community with end users in industry and the third sector. By bringing together the UK's strength in biofilm research, and combining it with the expertise of industrialists, NBIC aims to deliver new solutions and breakthrough technologies that will have an impact on day-to-day lives.
During Phase 2, as NBIC matures, we will harness the large academic and industry user base brought together over the last 4 years to focus on the development of new technologies for the prevention, detection, management and engineering of biofilm communities. We will draw on the best of our scientists and engineers to determine how best to safely design surfaces that prevent biofilms, establish methods to determine whether a problematic biofilm is present, create protocols for managing biofilms safely when they cannot be eradicated, and determine how to engineer biofilms for maximum benefit. We will do this by establishing ways of measuring biofilms that can be widely shared with the community, using advanced techniques and computational tools at our disposal. By leveraging our national connectivity, we will also establish uniform standards that can be used to guide the regulatory environment around biofilm control and exploitation.
As the predominant biomass on the planet, biofilms are susceptible to the changing environment driven by global warming, and will play an important role in new sources of energy generation. As climate change progresses, biofilm communities that are important to food and water security will also change, in ways that it is difficult to predict. As our infrastructure changes to adapt to a NetZero world, new biofilm challenges will inevitably arise.
By harnessing the strengths of our disparate community, comprising biological and physical scientists, engineers, mathematicians, social scientists, clinicians, industrialists and entrepreneurs and by training the next generation of scientists who can address complex biofilm research questions, we will place the UK at the forefront of the effort to mitigate these global challenges, leading to a sustainable and prosperous UK.
Technical Summary
Our research and innovation strategy will address key fundamental biofilm challenges identified through our engagement activities across our Prevent, Detect, Manage and Engineer themes, enabling us to deliver global impact across sectors (e.g. healthcare, personal care, climate change, NetZero, food and water safety/security).
We have identified key cross-cutting biofilm research and technology development challenges for delivery in Phase 2, including:
-A linked platform of integrated imaging techniques across scales (from atoms to biofilm communities) across physical, engineering and life sciences.
-Real-time, non-destructive monitoring and advanced imaging technologies and biomarkers for biofilms.
-Integrated multi-'omics to understand polymicrobial biofilm interactions.
-Spatially resolved and addressable delivery and monitoring of new biofilm interventions.
-De novo engineering of polymicrobial communities for targeted, sector-specific applications.
-Driving synergy between biofilm standards, policy making and strategic research, responding to the needs of our national and international academic-industry community.
-Developing a roadmap for new biofilm biobanking resources and infrastructure, which have been identified by our community as critical to underpin basic science programmes as well as accelerate product development and commercialization.
-Working with relevant national partners the way biofilms power microbiomes in preparation to develop a platform of translation and innovation in this field.
In training, Phase 2 will combine our current Doctoral Training Centre in Biofilms Innovation, Technology and Engineering (BITE) with a new BBSRC funded industry-led CTP programme to launch a national CTP-BITE training programme in Oct 2022. This will be the UK's first graduate training centre to address the skills and knowledge gap in the biofilm field. Our training will be accessible to industry to ensure cross-sectoral industrial upskilling.
We have identified key cross-cutting biofilm research and technology development challenges for delivery in Phase 2, including:
-A linked platform of integrated imaging techniques across scales (from atoms to biofilm communities) across physical, engineering and life sciences.
-Real-time, non-destructive monitoring and advanced imaging technologies and biomarkers for biofilms.
-Integrated multi-'omics to understand polymicrobial biofilm interactions.
-Spatially resolved and addressable delivery and monitoring of new biofilm interventions.
-De novo engineering of polymicrobial communities for targeted, sector-specific applications.
-Driving synergy between biofilm standards, policy making and strategic research, responding to the needs of our national and international academic-industry community.
-Developing a roadmap for new biofilm biobanking resources and infrastructure, which have been identified by our community as critical to underpin basic science programmes as well as accelerate product development and commercialization.
-Working with relevant national partners the way biofilms power microbiomes in preparation to develop a platform of translation and innovation in this field.
In training, Phase 2 will combine our current Doctoral Training Centre in Biofilms Innovation, Technology and Engineering (BITE) with a new BBSRC funded industry-led CTP programme to launch a national CTP-BITE training programme in Oct 2022. This will be the UK's first graduate training centre to address the skills and knowledge gap in the biofilm field. Our training will be accessible to industry to ensure cross-sectoral industrial upskilling.
Organisations
- University of Southampton (Lead Research Organisation)
- Agri-EPI Centre Ltd (Collaboration)
- KEELE UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- ShimyaTech Ltd (Collaboration)
- BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (Collaboration)
- University of Surrey (Collaboration)
- Virustatic Shield Ltd (Collaboration)
- Danish Fundamental Metrology (Collaboration)
- GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Smith and Nephew (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (Collaboration)
- Cardiff University (Collaboration)
- Nottingham Trent University (Collaboration)
- University of Ljubljana (Collaboration)
- X-Chem, Inc (Collaboration)
- Medicines Discovery Catapult (Collaboration)
- Tecrea (Collaboration)
- Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC) Ltd (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (Collaboration)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- SNIPR Biome Ltd. (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM (Collaboration)
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre (Collaboration)
- University of Porto (Collaboration)
- Institute Josef Stefan (Collaboration)
- QUORN FOODS LIMITED (Collaboration)
- Qbiotics (Collaboration)
- Dyson (Collaboration)
- Teesside University (Collaboration)
- Institute for Natural Resources and Agrobiology (Collaboration)
- MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- High Value Manufacturing Catapult (Collaboration)
- CytaCoat (Collaboration)
- Unilever (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD (Collaboration)
Publications
Alodaini D
(2024)
Reduced peptidoglycan synthesis capacity impairs growth of E. coli at high salt concentration
in mBio
Arbour CA
(2023)
Defining early steps in Bacillus subtilis biofilm biosynthesis.
in mBio
Arnaouteli S
(2023)
Lateral interactions govern self-assembly of the bacterial biofilm matrix protein BslA
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Bamford NC
(2023)
Microbial Primer: An introduction to biofilms - what they are, why they form and their impact on built and natural environments.
in Microbiology (Reading, England)
Bao P
(2024)
Membrane Proteins in Action Monitored by pH-Responsive Liquid Crystal Biosensors.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
Board-Davies EL
(2023)
Antimicrobial effects of XF drugs against Candida albicans and its biofilms.
in Frontiers in fungal biology
Contreas L
(2023)
Linear Binary Classifier to Predict Bacterial Biofilm Formation on Polyacrylates.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
| Title | Biofilms VR experience |
| Description | A Virtual Reality (VR) experience about biofilms and biophysics research. |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | The VR experience will be used at NBIC public engagement events moving forwards to raise awareness of biofilms among attendees. |
| Title | Snakes and Ladders for a healthy brain |
| Description | Giant snakes and ladders game and electronic game |
| Type Of Art | Artefact (including digital) |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | Change is risk awareness for dementia in the general public, novel research collaborations, new community network/PPIE |
| URL | https://jaysta.itch.io/health-aging-snakes-and-ladders-quiz |
| Description | Association for Material Protection and Performance (AMPP) |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | BSI CH216/3 Committee Task Group on Biofilms and Products |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Responsible for the UK input to CEN/TC 216 and ISO/TC 330. |
| URL | https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/committees/50081157 |
| Description | CA20130 - European MIC Network - New paths for science, sustainability and standards (Euro-MIC) |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA20130/#tabs+Name:Description |
| Description | Membership of CEN/TC 216 Working Group 5 - Strategy Group |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The group works to establish cross-working group standards and guidance with regard to the standards developed within CEN/TC 216, and regular updating of EN 14885 "Application of European Standards for chemical disinfectants and antiseptics" and EN 12353 "Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics - Preservation of test organisms used for the determination of bactericidal (including Legionella), mycobactericidal, sporicidal, fungicidal and virucidal (including bacteriophages) activity". |
| URL | https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/tc/cen/fbbaa2b7-d92f-4441-bd2e-e54be650bb8f/cen-tc-216-wg-5 |
| Description | SEFARI Specialist Advisory Group |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://sefari.scot/news/sefari-specialist-advisory-group-call-for-experts-to-join-resas-led-project... |
| Description | Scottish Alliance for Food: Advisory Steering Board Member (Professor Nicola Holden) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| URL | https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/scaf/ |
| Description | A microfluidic system and confocal microscope for the molecular and mechanistic characterisation of microbial biofilms |
| Amount | £433,729 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/X019101/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2023 |
| End | 07/2024 |
| Description | Bubbles for Breaking Bone Biofilms |
| Amount | £326,172 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ID2023/100001 |
| Organisation | Rosetrees Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2024 |
| End | 06/2027 |
| Description | Clinical Translation of MX-Raman: a Rapid and Reagentless Clinical Biofilm Characterisation and AMR Profiling Workflow |
| Amount | £29,852 (GBP) |
| Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2023 |
| End | 04/2024 |
| Description | Designing bio-instructive materials for translation ready medical devices |
| Amount | £4,074,945 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/X001156/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 02/2027 |
| Description | Development & pre-commercialisation of workflow enabling rapid bacteria and microplastics identification using MX-Raman (Impact Acceleration Account) |
| Amount | £72,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Development of a point of care lateral flow device for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and business planning activities |
| Amount | £24,962 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 07/2023 |
| Description | FTMA4 - National Biofilms Innovations Centre |
| Amount | £180,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/X017745/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | Mechanism of Action and Lead Optimisation of a Novel Antimicrobial Class |
| Amount | £322,266 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 10051341 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2023 |
| End | 05/2024 |
| Description | NBIC Regional Growth funding 2022/23 |
| Amount | £250,149 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| End | 03/2023 |
| Description | NBIC Regional Growth funding 2023/4 to 2027/28 |
| Amount | £749,851 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 05/2028 |
| Description | Nottingham Research Fellowship |
| Amount | £281,477 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2024 |
| End | 04/2027 |
| Description | Pre-spin out incorporation activities for a lateral flow diagnostic for Pseudomnas aeruginosa |
| Amount | £18,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2023 |
| End | 02/2024 |
| Description | Prototype development of a point of care lateral flow (Impact Acceleration Account) |
| Amount | £74,485 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 06/2024 |
| Description | Raman-on-a-chip for label-free and culture-free identification of VBNCs |
| Amount | £17,917 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wessex Medical Research |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | SBRI 22 Phase 1 - Delivering a Net Zero NHS (P/M) |
| Amount | £83,323 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | SBRIH22P1022 |
| Organisation | Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2023 |
| End | 07/2023 |
| Description | Screening of monoclonal antibodies for incorporation into a lateral flow test |
| Amount | £20,030 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2023 |
| End | 08/2023 |
| Description | Summer Vacation Scholarship |
| Amount | £2,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Society for Applied Microbiology |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2023 |
| End | 08/2023 |
| Description | Systemic infections accelerate tau spreading by promoting glial activation (PhD studentship) |
| Amount | £155,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Alzheimer's Research UK |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Uncovering the antimicrobial and antibiotic potentiating mechanism of acesulfame-K and maximising its topical therapeutic potential |
| Amount | £620,433 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/Y001354/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2023 |
| End | 10/2026 |
| Title | An automated AI model to detect biofilm |
| Description | As part of this research project, we developed an automated AI tool able to identify and quantify the percentage of biofilm in samples extracted from the fermentors. This is based on image-recognition patterns identified by the model in the microscope's images from different samples. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This AI tool will allow Quorn to automatically detect the percentage of biofilm in the fermentors and inform the future steps of the manufacturing process (including when to stop the fermentation process or change the fermentors' variables to reduce waste). |
| Title | Living material as an in vitro lung epithelial infection model |
| Description | Researchers have engineered a living material resembling human phlegm, which will help them to better understand how a certain kind of infection develops on the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis. |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - in vitro |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Quote from the University of Nottingham's press release about the research (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/scientists-take-a-step-forward-in-understanding-how-to-tackle-chronic-infections-in-cystic-fibrosis-patients): "The capacity to create complex 3D biofilms in the lab in a simple manner, will lead to practical tools to better understand how these living structures form and how to treat them better. The technology developed in this study will revolutionise the way we study biofilm-mediated infections and assess the effectiveness of novel antimicrobials using different in vivo-like infection environments." |
| URL | https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/news/scientists-take-a-step-forward-in-understanding-how-to-tackle-chro... |
| Description | 3D printing of in vitro models to understand the impact of the bacterial biofilm/host environment on the effectiveness of antimicrobials in cystic fibrosis (PhD studentship) |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Supervision and training. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Supervision and training. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_005 (Paired Studentship) PhD Bacterial biofilms, biocides and antibiofilm surfaces: Developing standardised methods to assess efficacy of antibiofilm surfaces in dry environments |
| Organisation | Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_005 (Paired Studentship) PhD Bacterial biofilms, biocides and antibiofilm surfaces: Developing standardised methods to assess efficacy of antibiofilm surfaces in dry environments |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_005 PhD Bacterial biofilms, biocides and antibiogilm surfaces: Developing standardised methods to assess efficacy of antibiofilm surfaces in wet environments |
| Organisation | Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_005 PhD Bacterial biofilms, biocides and antibiogilm surfaces: Developing standardised methods to assess efficacy of antibiofilm surfaces in wet environments |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_006 (Paired Studentship) PhD Development of in vitro infection models to test the efficacy of antimicrobial medical devices |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_006 (Paired Studentship) PhD Development of in vitro infection models to test the efficacy of antimicrobial medical devices |
| Organisation | University of Bradford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_006 PhD Development of an electrospun antimicrobial coated tampon for management of bacterial vaginosis biofilm |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_006 PhD Development of an electrospun antimicrobial coated tampon for management of bacterial vaginosis biofilm |
| Organisation | University of Bradford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_006 PhD Development of an electrospun antimicrobial coated tampon for management of bacterial vaginosis biofilm |
| Organisation | Virustatic Shield Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_007 (Paired Studentship) PhD Infected orthopaedic wounds: Influence of bacteria and biofilms on the adhesion between implant material surfaces and human bone cells and treatment modalities using novel non-antibiotic biocide and vitamins |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_007 (Paired Studentship) PhD Infected orthopaedic wounds: Influence of bacteria and biofilms on the adhesion between implant material surfaces and human bone cells and treatment modalities using novel non-antibiotic biocide and vitamins |
| Organisation | University of Surrey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_007 PhD A novel, antibiotics free and prophylactic topical in-wound applied formulation for combating biofilms and improving orthopaedic surgical wound healing (BioBride) |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_007 PhD A novel, antibiotics free and prophylactic topical in-wound applied formulation for combating biofilms and improving orthopaedic surgical wound healing (BioBride) |
| Organisation | University of Surrey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_020 (Paired Studentship) PhD Mechanistic understanding and drivers to antibiofilm benefits in complex microbial models using a novel anti-biofilm technology |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_020 (Paired Studentship) PhD Mechanistic understanding and drivers to antibiofilm benefits in complex microbial models using a novel anti-biofilm technology |
| Organisation | Unilever |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_020 (Paired Studentship) PhD Mechanistic understanding and drivers to antibiofilm benefits in complex microbial models using a novel anti-biofilm technology |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_020 PhD Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of action and resistance of microbes to anti-biofilm lactam technology |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_020 PhD Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of action and resistance of microbes to anti-biofilm lactam technology |
| Organisation | Unilever |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_020 PhD Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of action and resistance of microbes to anti-biofilm lactam technology |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_028 PhD Examining the mechanisms of epoxy-tigliane induced biofilm disruption in antibiotic-resistant E. coli |
| Organisation | Cardiff University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_028 PhD Examining the mechanisms of epoxy-tigliane induced biofilm disruption in antibiotic-resistant E. coli |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_028 PhD Examining the mechanisms of epoxy-tigliane induced biofilm disruption in antibiotic-resistant E. coli |
| Organisation | QBiotics |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_028 PhD Molecular analysis of the antimicrobial effects of the epoxy-tiglane EBC-1013 on in vitro dysregulation of bacterial biofilms and in vivo wound biofilm disruption |
| Organisation | Cardiff University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2023_028 PhD Molecular analysis of the antimicrobial effects of the epoxy-tiglane EBC-1013 on in vitro dysregulation of bacterial biofilms and in vivo wound biofilm disruption |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | CTP_2024_042 PhD (Paired Studentship) Engineering microbiome with bioaugmentation to enhance biological phosphorus removal |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_042 PhD (Paired Studentship) Engineering microbiome with bioaugmentation to enhance biological phosphorus removal |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_042 PhD Utilising electromagnetic field for biofouling control and cleaning of forward osmosis membrane in resource recovery from municipal wastewater |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_042 PhD Utilising electromagnetic field for biofouling control and cleaning of forward osmosis membrane in resource recovery from municipal wastewater |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_045 (Paired Studentship) PhD Standardised phased based therapy (PBT) solutions for complex mucosal based biofilm infections |
| Organisation | Glasgow Caledonian University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_045 (Paired Studentship) PhD Standardised phased based therapy (PBT) solutions for complex mucosal based biofilm infections |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_045 PhD Biofilm Inhibition and Destabilisation through Optimized Phage Therapy as a Novel Wound Healing Strategy |
| Organisation | Glasgow Caledonian University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_045 PhD Biofilm Inhibition and Destabilisation through Optimized Phage Therapy as a Novel Wound Healing Strategy |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_047 (Paired Studentship) PhD Dynamic Imaging for Real-Time Visualization of Bacterial Species Co-Distribution and Biofilm Matrix Components |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_047 (Paired Studentship) PhD Dynamic Imaging for Real-Time Visualization of Bacterial Species Co-Distribution and Biofilm Matrix Components |
| Organisation | Unilever |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_047 (Paired Studentship) PhD Dynamic Imaging for Real-Time Visualization of Bacterial Species Co-Distribution and Biofilm Matrix Components |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_047 PhD Evaluating Bacterial Acid Production and pH Dynamics in a Real-Time In-Vitro Polymicrobial Biofilm Model |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_047 PhD Evaluating Bacterial Acid Production and pH Dynamics in a Real-Time In-Vitro Polymicrobial Biofilm Model |
| Organisation | Unilever |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_047 PhD Evaluating Bacterial Acid Production and pH Dynamics in a Real-Time In-Vitro Polymicrobial Biofilm Model |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_055 (Paired Studentship) PhD Integrated, multi-modal mass spectrometry imaging and Raman spectroscopy for the spatial analysis of biofilms and their underlying biomarkers |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_055 (Paired Studentship) PhD Integrated, multi-modal mass spectrometry imaging and Raman spectroscopy for the spatial analysis of biofilms and their underlying biomarkers |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_055 PhD Disrupting oral biofilm formation & maturation: Covalently inhibiting glucan sucrases from Streptococci |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_055 PhD Disrupting oral biofilm formation & maturation: Covalently inhibiting glucan sucrases from Streptococci |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_057 (Paired Studentship) PhD Microbial Induced Corrosion at the Local Site and Single Cell Level: Towards Structure-Property Relationships |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_057 (Paired Studentship) PhD Microbial Induced Corrosion at the Local Site and Single Cell Level: Towards Structure-Property Relationships |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_057 PhD Knowledge based engineering of polymer deposition on dental surfaces to combat oral biofilms |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_057 PhD Knowledge based engineering of polymer deposition on dental surfaces to combat oral biofilms |
| Organisation | Unilever |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | CTP_2024_057 PhD Knowledge based engineering of polymer deposition on dental surfaces to combat oral biofilms |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding, supervision and training for this PhD. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Collaboration with Freedom Hygiene |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We awarded an innovation voucher to Freedom Hygiene to perform some testing through access to our facilities and expertise. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners provided access to a technology. |
| Impact | Further work has been planned as part of this partnership to enable to move a technology across sectors. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with Mast Group Ltd - Testing of biofilms and visualisation of antimicrobials on surfaces and matrixes. |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Carried out the research project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Project partners. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with Quantum Science - Gaining insight into the structure of colloidal quantum dots when these are used to form thin films on substrates |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Carried out the research project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Project partners. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with SOE Health Ltd |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We awarded an innovation voucher to SOE Health to perform some testing through access to our facilities and expertise. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners provided access to a technology. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with Silverray LTD - Understanding nanoparticles to improve performance. |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Carried out the research project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Project partners. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Hit-to-lead and lead optimisation of biofilm inhibitors |
| Organisation | X-Chem, Inc |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Our team has developed multiple sets of small molecule biofilm inhibitor compounds, and established their activity against biofilms of uropathogenic E. coli. We have microbiology and biofilm expertise and were looking for a partner to provide medicinal chemistry and DMPK expertise to take the compounds further into preclinical development as an oral therapy for urinary tract infections. |
| Collaborator Contribution | X-Chem are a US based CRO with extensive experience in medicinal chemistry & small molecule drug discovery. Following initial discussion and under a CDA, they performed an analysis on our series of compounds to prioritise one series and map out the required hit-to-lead and lead optimisation work packages. |
| Impact | Following the medchem analysis by X-Chem, a one-year collaborative work package has been planned and will take place in 2024 |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Imaging bacterial death in a self-developed device |
| Organisation | Smith and Nephew |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We have demonstrated bacterial death in a self-developed device by Smith and Nephew through imaging. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Smith and Nephew company has supported this research by providing the device to test and bearing the cost of the research. |
| Impact | Images that demonstrate bacterial death inside the developed device by Smith and Nephew. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Imaging bacterial death in a self-developed device |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have demonstrated bacterial death in a self-developed device by Smith and Nephew through imaging. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Smith and Nephew company has supported this research by providing the device to test and bearing the cost of the research. |
| Impact | Images that demonstrate bacterial death inside the developed device by Smith and Nephew. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_008 Understanding the mechanism of action for a new class of ruthenium-based antimicrobial drug |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The aim of this project is to work with the SME MetalloBio Ltd. to provide evidence towards mechanism of action for their novel ruthenium-based antimicrobial drug. This will advance the drug towards regulatory approval and commercialisation. This drug has already attracted interested from global pharmaceutical companies, including Boehringer Ingelheim. However, these partners highlighted key experiments needed to facilitate deeper relationships, which include evaluation of transcriptomic data for bacterial species after exposure to the drug. This project will utilise recently obtained transcriptomic data to complete molecular and phenotypic assays informed by the transcriptomics to further elucidate mechanisms of action. The project will support professional development of the FTMA4 recipient by providing them with experience of working in the industrial sector. It will support understanding of industry drivers and develop commercial awareness, this will allow the recipient to better understand how academic research relates to and can be utilised in the industrial sector, thus informing future research practice. The SME have agreed to include the FTMA4 recipient in business meetings during the project and to train them in areas of commercial importance including working to recognised standards and requirements for potential investors and regulators. This project aligns to the 'Healthy Ageing' and 'Leading-edge healthcare' UKRI challenges as one of the greatest risks to healthy ageing and healthcare is infection control. This project builds upon the current drug development research undertaken by MetalloBio Ltd. to accelerate the drug's development and decrease time to market. The drug under development has higher antibacterial activity than many clinical antibiotics and retains its activity against extensively drug-resistant pathogens. The compound has broad-spectrum efficacy, low in vivo toxicology, and good pharmacokinetic properties therefore its development down the regulatory pathway is highly valuable to address the fragile and failing antibiotic pipeline. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Strengthening the collaborative relationship, obtaining publication quality data and obtaining pilot data for future grant applications. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_008 Understanding the mechanism of action for a new class of ruthenium-based antimicrobial drug |
| Organisation | Nottingham Trent University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The aim of this project is to work with the SME MetalloBio Ltd. to provide evidence towards mechanism of action for their novel ruthenium-based antimicrobial drug. This will advance the drug towards regulatory approval and commercialisation. This drug has already attracted interested from global pharmaceutical companies, including Boehringer Ingelheim. However, these partners highlighted key experiments needed to facilitate deeper relationships, which include evaluation of transcriptomic data for bacterial species after exposure to the drug. This project will utilise recently obtained transcriptomic data to complete molecular and phenotypic assays informed by the transcriptomics to further elucidate mechanisms of action. The project will support professional development of the FTMA4 recipient by providing them with experience of working in the industrial sector. It will support understanding of industry drivers and develop commercial awareness, this will allow the recipient to better understand how academic research relates to and can be utilised in the industrial sector, thus informing future research practice. The SME have agreed to include the FTMA4 recipient in business meetings during the project and to train them in areas of commercial importance including working to recognised standards and requirements for potential investors and regulators. This project aligns to the 'Healthy Ageing' and 'Leading-edge healthcare' UKRI challenges as one of the greatest risks to healthy ageing and healthcare is infection control. This project builds upon the current drug development research undertaken by MetalloBio Ltd. to accelerate the drug's development and decrease time to market. The drug under development has higher antibacterial activity than many clinical antibiotics and retains its activity against extensively drug-resistant pathogens. The compound has broad-spectrum efficacy, low in vivo toxicology, and good pharmacokinetic properties therefore its development down the regulatory pathway is highly valuable to address the fragile and failing antibiotic pipeline. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Strengthening the collaborative relationship, obtaining publication quality data and obtaining pilot data for future grant applications. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_010 - Assessing the antibacterial efficacy of CytaCoat AB catheters |
| Organisation | CytaCoat |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Healthcare associated infections are a major problem globally, with potentially serious consequences for patients and high financial burden to medical providers. The use of medical devices, such as urinary catheters, contributes significantly and there is an urgent need for antimicrobial strategies to prevent or reduce biofilm formation and less reliance on antibiotics. In this placement, we will work with CytaCoat AB to develop understanding of their novel antibacterial coating on catheters, using advanced imagining and molecular approaches. Building on previous studies, we will use our bladder model systems to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of treated catheters compared to uncoated controls. We will test a uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain (responsible for the majority of urinary tract infections) and Proteus mirabilis (the causative organism for catheter blockages). Samples will be assessed using culture and advanced microscopy to visualise and quantify biofilm development under flow conditions, over different time periods to replicate use of a catheter. In parallel, used catheters will be collected from a partner hospital (ethics in place) analysed using the same methods but with the addition of next generation sequencing to further our understanding of the catheter microbiome. Experimental milestones will be: 1. Analysis of biofilm development using bladder model, physiologically accurate artificial urine over 14 days, using culture and episcopic differential interference contrast microscopy. 2. Determination of catheter microbiome using sequencing technologies to understand population diversity and link to infection development. The work will provide the researcher with experience on standard testing as required for product development and evaluation, as well as the added value of more biofilm specific advanced methods. They will liaise closely with developers from CytaCoat AB and partners at the Karolinska Institute, who will provide commercial experience and insight into product design and improvement. This strongly aligns with the UKRI themes on Healthy Ageing and Leading-Edge Healthcare. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Strengthening the collaborative relationship, intentions to submit follow-on grant funding applications together and potential to develop future PhD studentships around the research area. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_010 - Assessing the antibacterial efficacy of CytaCoat AB catheters |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Healthcare associated infections are a major problem globally, with potentially serious consequences for patients and high financial burden to medical providers. The use of medical devices, such as urinary catheters, contributes significantly and there is an urgent need for antimicrobial strategies to prevent or reduce biofilm formation and less reliance on antibiotics. In this placement, we will work with CytaCoat AB to develop understanding of their novel antibacterial coating on catheters, using advanced imagining and molecular approaches. Building on previous studies, we will use our bladder model systems to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of treated catheters compared to uncoated controls. We will test a uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain (responsible for the majority of urinary tract infections) and Proteus mirabilis (the causative organism for catheter blockages). Samples will be assessed using culture and advanced microscopy to visualise and quantify biofilm development under flow conditions, over different time periods to replicate use of a catheter. In parallel, used catheters will be collected from a partner hospital (ethics in place) analysed using the same methods but with the addition of next generation sequencing to further our understanding of the catheter microbiome. Experimental milestones will be: 1. Analysis of biofilm development using bladder model, physiologically accurate artificial urine over 14 days, using culture and episcopic differential interference contrast microscopy. 2. Determination of catheter microbiome using sequencing technologies to understand population diversity and link to infection development. The work will provide the researcher with experience on standard testing as required for product development and evaluation, as well as the added value of more biofilm specific advanced methods. They will liaise closely with developers from CytaCoat AB and partners at the Karolinska Institute, who will provide commercial experience and insight into product design and improvement. This strongly aligns with the UKRI themes on Healthy Ageing and Leading-Edge Healthcare. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Strengthening the collaborative relationship, intentions to submit follow-on grant funding applications together and potential to develop future PhD studentships around the research area. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_010 - Assessing the antibacterial efficacy of CytaCoat AB catheters |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Healthcare associated infections are a major problem globally, with potentially serious consequences for patients and high financial burden to medical providers. The use of medical devices, such as urinary catheters, contributes significantly and there is an urgent need for antimicrobial strategies to prevent or reduce biofilm formation and less reliance on antibiotics. In this placement, we will work with CytaCoat AB to develop understanding of their novel antibacterial coating on catheters, using advanced imagining and molecular approaches. Building on previous studies, we will use our bladder model systems to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of treated catheters compared to uncoated controls. We will test a uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain (responsible for the majority of urinary tract infections) and Proteus mirabilis (the causative organism for catheter blockages). Samples will be assessed using culture and advanced microscopy to visualise and quantify biofilm development under flow conditions, over different time periods to replicate use of a catheter. In parallel, used catheters will be collected from a partner hospital (ethics in place) analysed using the same methods but with the addition of next generation sequencing to further our understanding of the catheter microbiome. Experimental milestones will be: 1. Analysis of biofilm development using bladder model, physiologically accurate artificial urine over 14 days, using culture and episcopic differential interference contrast microscopy. 2. Determination of catheter microbiome using sequencing technologies to understand population diversity and link to infection development. The work will provide the researcher with experience on standard testing as required for product development and evaluation, as well as the added value of more biofilm specific advanced methods. They will liaise closely with developers from CytaCoat AB and partners at the Karolinska Institute, who will provide commercial experience and insight into product design and improvement. This strongly aligns with the UKRI themes on Healthy Ageing and Leading-Edge Healthcare. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Strengthening the collaborative relationship, intentions to submit follow-on grant funding applications together and potential to develop future PhD studentships around the research area. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_013 An AI model to predict biofilm formation and improve the production cycle at Quorn Foods |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | As a result of the explosion in population growth and the effects of climate change, "meat-free" alternatives have been considered to support the transition to a low-carbon future. Since 1985, Quorn Foods has been a world leader "meat-alternative" provider with massive production capacity to fulfil its global demand. However, even if the Quorn mycoprotein provides a healthy alternative for the planet, the achievement of a low-carbon future is hindered by several challenges. A process problem encountered at Quorn is biofilm formation on the fermentors' walls. These biofilms can detach and form "lumps" in the final product, impacting its quality. Biofilm formation can result in premature termination of the fermentation cycle, leading to productivity loss, higher production costs, and energy waste. Hence, new techniques for monitoring biofilm formation are needed. This proposal focuses on developing an AI-architecture to detect biofilm formation using microscopy images already collected from the fermentors at different stages of the production cycle. Specifically, transfer-learning will be used to train a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, while multi-modal approaches will be used to integrate sample meta-information in the CNN, including the number of days from the beginning of the production cycle to the sample-collection day. The resulting model will be used to detect biofilm percentage and determine the optimal time for terminating the production cycle, with a direct impact on energy waste and carbon emissions. Hence, this proposal is aligned with both the "Clean Growth" and "AI and Data Economy" themes of the UKRI's Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF). This project will allow the PI and Co-I to explore the potential of AI for biofilm detection with a direct impact on industry production while contributing towards the UKRI's ISCF themes. This project will also open new opportunities for future collaborations to address the current challenges in biofilms formations. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Preparation of larger funding application for full validation and scaling up of completed proof-of-concept. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_013 An AI model to predict biofilm formation and improve the production cycle at Quorn Foods |
| Organisation | Quorn Foods Limited |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | As a result of the explosion in population growth and the effects of climate change, "meat-free" alternatives have been considered to support the transition to a low-carbon future. Since 1985, Quorn Foods has been a world leader "meat-alternative" provider with massive production capacity to fulfil its global demand. However, even if the Quorn mycoprotein provides a healthy alternative for the planet, the achievement of a low-carbon future is hindered by several challenges. A process problem encountered at Quorn is biofilm formation on the fermentors' walls. These biofilms can detach and form "lumps" in the final product, impacting its quality. Biofilm formation can result in premature termination of the fermentation cycle, leading to productivity loss, higher production costs, and energy waste. Hence, new techniques for monitoring biofilm formation are needed. This proposal focuses on developing an AI-architecture to detect biofilm formation using microscopy images already collected from the fermentors at different stages of the production cycle. Specifically, transfer-learning will be used to train a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, while multi-modal approaches will be used to integrate sample meta-information in the CNN, including the number of days from the beginning of the production cycle to the sample-collection day. The resulting model will be used to detect biofilm percentage and determine the optimal time for terminating the production cycle, with a direct impact on energy waste and carbon emissions. Hence, this proposal is aligned with both the "Clean Growth" and "AI and Data Economy" themes of the UKRI's Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF). This project will allow the PI and Co-I to explore the potential of AI for biofilm detection with a direct impact on industry production while contributing towards the UKRI's ISCF themes. This project will also open new opportunities for future collaborations to address the current challenges in biofilms formations. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Preparation of larger funding application for full validation and scaling up of completed proof-of-concept. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_013 An AI model to predict biofilm formation and improve the production cycle at Quorn Foods |
| Organisation | Teesside University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | As a result of the explosion in population growth and the effects of climate change, "meat-free" alternatives have been considered to support the transition to a low-carbon future. Since 1985, Quorn Foods has been a world leader "meat-alternative" provider with massive production capacity to fulfil its global demand. However, even if the Quorn mycoprotein provides a healthy alternative for the planet, the achievement of a low-carbon future is hindered by several challenges. A process problem encountered at Quorn is biofilm formation on the fermentors' walls. These biofilms can detach and form "lumps" in the final product, impacting its quality. Biofilm formation can result in premature termination of the fermentation cycle, leading to productivity loss, higher production costs, and energy waste. Hence, new techniques for monitoring biofilm formation are needed. This proposal focuses on developing an AI-architecture to detect biofilm formation using microscopy images already collected from the fermentors at different stages of the production cycle. Specifically, transfer-learning will be used to train a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, while multi-modal approaches will be used to integrate sample meta-information in the CNN, including the number of days from the beginning of the production cycle to the sample-collection day. The resulting model will be used to detect biofilm percentage and determine the optimal time for terminating the production cycle, with a direct impact on energy waste and carbon emissions. Hence, this proposal is aligned with both the "Clean Growth" and "AI and Data Economy" themes of the UKRI's Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF). This project will allow the PI and Co-I to explore the potential of AI for biofilm detection with a direct impact on industry production while contributing towards the UKRI's ISCF themes. This project will also open new opportunities for future collaborations to address the current challenges in biofilms formations. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Preparation of larger funding application for full validation and scaling up of completed proof-of-concept. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_015 Follow on: Nano-modification of textile surface with antimicrobial and antibiofilm features for wound dressing and air filtering membranes |
| Organisation | Keele University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This application to FTMA 4 follows on the secondment mission established in FTMA 3 with the same partnership and researcher team. NBIC/BBRSC FTMA 3 enabled the undertaking of a secondment research project with our industrial partner, ShimyaTech, on 'Nano-modification of textile surface with antimicrobial and antibiofilm features for wound dressing and air filtering membranes'. The goals achieved are outlined in the final report; in particular, 1) Optimize an electroless deposition approach to introduce gold and silver nanoparticles onto textile surfaces 2) Assess and compare the anti-biofilm capacity of the new wound dressing. Matched funds were obtained including Warwick University Seedcorn fund for PhD/MSc students on XPS testing and ShimyaTech's funding for antibacterial testing of selected modified fabric specimens at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. We demonstrated that diazonium salts can be stably grafted to fabric surfaces and facilitate the formation of silver and gold nano-particles through electro- or electroless deposition approaches. Some of the modification processes were relatively simple and fast with potential in translation into commercial products for clinic application. Furthermore, it was found that the nano-particle size and chemical compositions were strongly reaction condition dependent, for example, the different active chemicals in diazonium salts and the current/voltage in electrophoretic process. Our XPS and Raman spectroscopic analysis confirmed that there were two types of silver nano particles on the fabric surface, metallic or ionic silver. However, we did not have enough time to conduct systematic anti-bacterial tests on the relation of nano-particles' compositions and anti-bacterial capacity over a wide range of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria. To further develop our observations and confirm validity prior to their translation into commercial products, we propose a follow-on secondment opportunity to conduct systematic antibacterial/antibiofilm characterisation on the modified fabrics from different manufacturing conditions in this study. This will enable a finalised optimized modification process. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Larger collaborative grant applications are in discussion with ShimyaTech to seek funding towards commercialisation with a view to identify early adopters for testing purposes. Scientific manuscripts are currently being prepared for publication in scientific journals. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_015 Follow on: Nano-modification of textile surface with antimicrobial and antibiofilm features for wound dressing and air filtering membranes |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This application to FTMA 4 follows on the secondment mission established in FTMA 3 with the same partnership and researcher team. NBIC/BBRSC FTMA 3 enabled the undertaking of a secondment research project with our industrial partner, ShimyaTech, on 'Nano-modification of textile surface with antimicrobial and antibiofilm features for wound dressing and air filtering membranes'. The goals achieved are outlined in the final report; in particular, 1) Optimize an electroless deposition approach to introduce gold and silver nanoparticles onto textile surfaces 2) Assess and compare the anti-biofilm capacity of the new wound dressing. Matched funds were obtained including Warwick University Seedcorn fund for PhD/MSc students on XPS testing and ShimyaTech's funding for antibacterial testing of selected modified fabric specimens at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. We demonstrated that diazonium salts can be stably grafted to fabric surfaces and facilitate the formation of silver and gold nano-particles through electro- or electroless deposition approaches. Some of the modification processes were relatively simple and fast with potential in translation into commercial products for clinic application. Furthermore, it was found that the nano-particle size and chemical compositions were strongly reaction condition dependent, for example, the different active chemicals in diazonium salts and the current/voltage in electrophoretic process. Our XPS and Raman spectroscopic analysis confirmed that there were two types of silver nano particles on the fabric surface, metallic or ionic silver. However, we did not have enough time to conduct systematic anti-bacterial tests on the relation of nano-particles' compositions and anti-bacterial capacity over a wide range of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria. To further develop our observations and confirm validity prior to their translation into commercial products, we propose a follow-on secondment opportunity to conduct systematic antibacterial/antibiofilm characterisation on the modified fabrics from different manufacturing conditions in this study. This will enable a finalised optimized modification process. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Larger collaborative grant applications are in discussion with ShimyaTech to seek funding towards commercialisation with a view to identify early adopters for testing purposes. Scientific manuscripts are currently being prepared for publication in scientific journals. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_015 Follow on: Nano-modification of textile surface with antimicrobial and antibiofilm features for wound dressing and air filtering membranes |
| Organisation | ShimyaTech Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This application to FTMA 4 follows on the secondment mission established in FTMA 3 with the same partnership and researcher team. NBIC/BBRSC FTMA 3 enabled the undertaking of a secondment research project with our industrial partner, ShimyaTech, on 'Nano-modification of textile surface with antimicrobial and antibiofilm features for wound dressing and air filtering membranes'. The goals achieved are outlined in the final report; in particular, 1) Optimize an electroless deposition approach to introduce gold and silver nanoparticles onto textile surfaces 2) Assess and compare the anti-biofilm capacity of the new wound dressing. Matched funds were obtained including Warwick University Seedcorn fund for PhD/MSc students on XPS testing and ShimyaTech's funding for antibacterial testing of selected modified fabric specimens at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. We demonstrated that diazonium salts can be stably grafted to fabric surfaces and facilitate the formation of silver and gold nano-particles through electro- or electroless deposition approaches. Some of the modification processes were relatively simple and fast with potential in translation into commercial products for clinic application. Furthermore, it was found that the nano-particle size and chemical compositions were strongly reaction condition dependent, for example, the different active chemicals in diazonium salts and the current/voltage in electrophoretic process. Our XPS and Raman spectroscopic analysis confirmed that there were two types of silver nano particles on the fabric surface, metallic or ionic silver. However, we did not have enough time to conduct systematic anti-bacterial tests on the relation of nano-particles' compositions and anti-bacterial capacity over a wide range of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria. To further develop our observations and confirm validity prior to their translation into commercial products, we propose a follow-on secondment opportunity to conduct systematic antibacterial/antibiofilm characterisation on the modified fabrics from different manufacturing conditions in this study. This will enable a finalised optimized modification process. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Larger collaborative grant applications are in discussion with ShimyaTech to seek funding towards commercialisation with a view to identify early adopters for testing purposes. Scientific manuscripts are currently being prepared for publication in scientific journals. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_021 Systematic identification of phage anti-defences for five defence systems |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Project summary: In previous research (Wu et al., Biorxiv, 2022), I found that some defence systems employed by bacteria to prevent phage infection provide synergistic anti-phage effects. This is extremely relevant when considering phages for biocontrol purposes. Thus, this project focuses on identifying ways by which phages can overcome these defence systems individually and combined. These "anti-defences" of phages can be added to phage genomes to increase their killing efficiency in biocontrol applications. The discovery of the anti-defences in phages requires high-throughput approaches that allow the simultaneous testing of hundreds of genes. This capacity is provided by the industrial collaborator. Personal developments: I will master use of high throughput assay (e.g. OmniLog, Hamilton) for phage host interactions. Through comparison of phenotypic findings with genotypes, I will both improve my comparative bioinformatic skills and my molecular biology techniques by designing knock-out/in genes via cloning and phage engineering. The contribution of my research to food production and bacterial infection treatment: Bacteria contribute to many plant diseases, causing devastating damage to crops, and losses of over 1 billion dollars worldwide every year to the food production chain. Moreover, the occurrence of bacterial biofilms, including biofilms on medical device surfaces and in human tissues, pose a threat causing chronic infections. Phages, as the predators of bacteria, are the most abundant entities on earth (~10^31 particles), which exist in diverse ecosystems e.g. marine, soil, plants and animals. As phages can kill bacteria with high efficiency, their potential applications in plant disease treatment, food production and treatment of bacterial infections are currently under exploration. However, bacteria develop defensive mechanisms against phage infection, which decreases the killing efficiency of the latter. Understanding the defensive response of bacteria and the anti-defence reaction of phages enables us to wisely choose and fine-tune more efficient phages for new sustainable treatments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Strengthening the collaborative relationship and plans made for future collaborative activities. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_021 Systematic identification of phage anti-defences for five defence systems |
| Organisation | SNIPR Biome Ltd. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Project summary: In previous research (Wu et al., Biorxiv, 2022), I found that some defence systems employed by bacteria to prevent phage infection provide synergistic anti-phage effects. This is extremely relevant when considering phages for biocontrol purposes. Thus, this project focuses on identifying ways by which phages can overcome these defence systems individually and combined. These "anti-defences" of phages can be added to phage genomes to increase their killing efficiency in biocontrol applications. The discovery of the anti-defences in phages requires high-throughput approaches that allow the simultaneous testing of hundreds of genes. This capacity is provided by the industrial collaborator. Personal developments: I will master use of high throughput assay (e.g. OmniLog, Hamilton) for phage host interactions. Through comparison of phenotypic findings with genotypes, I will both improve my comparative bioinformatic skills and my molecular biology techniques by designing knock-out/in genes via cloning and phage engineering. The contribution of my research to food production and bacterial infection treatment: Bacteria contribute to many plant diseases, causing devastating damage to crops, and losses of over 1 billion dollars worldwide every year to the food production chain. Moreover, the occurrence of bacterial biofilms, including biofilms on medical device surfaces and in human tissues, pose a threat causing chronic infections. Phages, as the predators of bacteria, are the most abundant entities on earth (~10^31 particles), which exist in diverse ecosystems e.g. marine, soil, plants and animals. As phages can kill bacteria with high efficiency, their potential applications in plant disease treatment, food production and treatment of bacterial infections are currently under exploration. However, bacteria develop defensive mechanisms against phage infection, which decreases the killing efficiency of the latter. Understanding the defensive response of bacteria and the anti-defence reaction of phages enables us to wisely choose and fine-tune more efficient phages for new sustainable treatments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Strengthening the collaborative relationship and plans made for future collaborative activities. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_021 Systematic identification of phage anti-defences for five defence systems |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Project summary: In previous research (Wu et al., Biorxiv, 2022), I found that some defence systems employed by bacteria to prevent phage infection provide synergistic anti-phage effects. This is extremely relevant when considering phages for biocontrol purposes. Thus, this project focuses on identifying ways by which phages can overcome these defence systems individually and combined. These "anti-defences" of phages can be added to phage genomes to increase their killing efficiency in biocontrol applications. The discovery of the anti-defences in phages requires high-throughput approaches that allow the simultaneous testing of hundreds of genes. This capacity is provided by the industrial collaborator. Personal developments: I will master use of high throughput assay (e.g. OmniLog, Hamilton) for phage host interactions. Through comparison of phenotypic findings with genotypes, I will both improve my comparative bioinformatic skills and my molecular biology techniques by designing knock-out/in genes via cloning and phage engineering. The contribution of my research to food production and bacterial infection treatment: Bacteria contribute to many plant diseases, causing devastating damage to crops, and losses of over 1 billion dollars worldwide every year to the food production chain. Moreover, the occurrence of bacterial biofilms, including biofilms on medical device surfaces and in human tissues, pose a threat causing chronic infections. Phages, as the predators of bacteria, are the most abundant entities on earth (~10^31 particles), which exist in diverse ecosystems e.g. marine, soil, plants and animals. As phages can kill bacteria with high efficiency, their potential applications in plant disease treatment, food production and treatment of bacterial infections are currently under exploration. However, bacteria develop defensive mechanisms against phage infection, which decreases the killing efficiency of the latter. Understanding the defensive response of bacteria and the anti-defence reaction of phages enables us to wisely choose and fine-tune more efficient phages for new sustainable treatments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Strengthening the collaborative relationship and plans made for future collaborative activities. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_023 Advanced imaging of co-biofilms produced by commensal Lactobacillus sp. and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC): training and Nanocin technology evaluation of selective anti-uropathogenic action. |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most abundant infections in humans worldwide. Recurrent UTIs are especially a problem in ageing populations of women. Therefore, this project aligns to the UKRI's Industrial Strategy challenge funds ageing society challenge. The human urinary microbiome often consists of commensal lactobacilli and are associated with protection from UTIs. In disease conditions, the microbiome will also consist of uropathogens like Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), possibly in mixed biofilms with lactobacilli. Unpublished data have shown the selectivity of killing by Tecrea's Nanocin technology towards Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli in Lactobacillus co-cultures. The potential selective targeting of Nanocin against uropathogenic bacteria in mixed biofilms with lactobacilli may reduce the incidence of recurrent UTIs. Therefore, Tecrea is interested in applications of its innovative technology in UTI control. Aims: 1) Develop a method of establishing co-biofilms containing Lactobacillus sp. and UPEC. 2) Imaging of mixed biofilms, through training from the UCL team, with a Leica SP8 deconvolution super-resolution laser scanning confocal microscope. Live imaging will be performed over a series of hours under physiological conditions. 3) Evaluate the morphological effects of Tecrea's Nanocin technology on mixed biofilms formed by Lactobacillus sp. and UPEC. Training provided by UCL in morphometric analysis under super resolution 3D image analysis using Leica LASX, Image pro 10 3D and FIJI (Comstat2). 4) Further develop the SME-academic collaboration, building on past successful collaboration. 5) Expand and develop my skill set. Personal development: Completing the secondment will allow me to learn a range of novel imaging techniques and in vitro models for the assessment of biofilm morphology. The skills I develop will be applied to my work at Tecrea. I will also expand my collaboration network by working with UCL, NHS, and BIIG as well as exposure to working in a clinical setting. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Results from this secondment have already been disseminated by poster presentation. Publication of results from this secondment are planned, pending future additional work. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_023 Advanced imaging of co-biofilms produced by commensal Lactobacillus sp. and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC): training and Nanocin technology evaluation of selective anti-uropathogenic action. |
| Organisation | Tecrea |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most abundant infections in humans worldwide. Recurrent UTIs are especially a problem in ageing populations of women. Therefore, this project aligns to the UKRI's Industrial Strategy challenge funds ageing society challenge. The human urinary microbiome often consists of commensal lactobacilli and are associated with protection from UTIs. In disease conditions, the microbiome will also consist of uropathogens like Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), possibly in mixed biofilms with lactobacilli. Unpublished data have shown the selectivity of killing by Tecrea's Nanocin technology towards Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli in Lactobacillus co-cultures. The potential selective targeting of Nanocin against uropathogenic bacteria in mixed biofilms with lactobacilli may reduce the incidence of recurrent UTIs. Therefore, Tecrea is interested in applications of its innovative technology in UTI control. Aims: 1) Develop a method of establishing co-biofilms containing Lactobacillus sp. and UPEC. 2) Imaging of mixed biofilms, through training from the UCL team, with a Leica SP8 deconvolution super-resolution laser scanning confocal microscope. Live imaging will be performed over a series of hours under physiological conditions. 3) Evaluate the morphological effects of Tecrea's Nanocin technology on mixed biofilms formed by Lactobacillus sp. and UPEC. Training provided by UCL in morphometric analysis under super resolution 3D image analysis using Leica LASX, Image pro 10 3D and FIJI (Comstat2). 4) Further develop the SME-academic collaboration, building on past successful collaboration. 5) Expand and develop my skill set. Personal development: Completing the secondment will allow me to learn a range of novel imaging techniques and in vitro models for the assessment of biofilm morphology. The skills I develop will be applied to my work at Tecrea. I will also expand my collaboration network by working with UCL, NHS, and BIIG as well as exposure to working in a clinical setting. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Results from this secondment have already been disseminated by poster presentation. Publication of results from this secondment are planned, pending future additional work. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_023 Advanced imaging of co-biofilms produced by commensal Lactobacillus sp. and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC): training and Nanocin technology evaluation of selective anti-uropathogenic action. |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most abundant infections in humans worldwide. Recurrent UTIs are especially a problem in ageing populations of women. Therefore, this project aligns to the UKRI's Industrial Strategy challenge funds ageing society challenge. The human urinary microbiome often consists of commensal lactobacilli and are associated with protection from UTIs. In disease conditions, the microbiome will also consist of uropathogens like Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), possibly in mixed biofilms with lactobacilli. Unpublished data have shown the selectivity of killing by Tecrea's Nanocin technology towards Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli in Lactobacillus co-cultures. The potential selective targeting of Nanocin against uropathogenic bacteria in mixed biofilms with lactobacilli may reduce the incidence of recurrent UTIs. Therefore, Tecrea is interested in applications of its innovative technology in UTI control. Aims: 1) Develop a method of establishing co-biofilms containing Lactobacillus sp. and UPEC. 2) Imaging of mixed biofilms, through training from the UCL team, with a Leica SP8 deconvolution super-resolution laser scanning confocal microscope. Live imaging will be performed over a series of hours under physiological conditions. 3) Evaluate the morphological effects of Tecrea's Nanocin technology on mixed biofilms formed by Lactobacillus sp. and UPEC. Training provided by UCL in morphometric analysis under super resolution 3D image analysis using Leica LASX, Image pro 10 3D and FIJI (Comstat2). 4) Further develop the SME-academic collaboration, building on past successful collaboration. 5) Expand and develop my skill set. Personal development: Completing the secondment will allow me to learn a range of novel imaging techniques and in vitro models for the assessment of biofilm morphology. The skills I develop will be applied to my work at Tecrea. I will also expand my collaboration network by working with UCL, NHS, and BIIG as well as exposure to working in a clinical setting. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Results from this secondment have already been disseminated by poster presentation. Publication of results from this secondment are planned, pending future additional work. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_027 Analysing the impact of the root microbiome biofilm on the beneficial effect of Azospirillum on crops |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) A. argentinense Az39 is used as a biological fertilizer to improve crop productivity whilst reducing the environmental impact of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. However, besides the well-studied capacities to promote plant growth by the production of active metabolites and fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, the mechanisms by which Az39 interacts with the root microbiome and how this leads to plant growth is poorly understood. Successful microbial inoculants must be capable of invading and persisting with the indigenous microbiome. Identifying the elements driving Az39 root colonization, especially those related to the root microbiome, is of critical importance to control this microbe-based technology in a predictable way. This fellowship aims to provide the required training to Dr Nayla Anahí Coniglio from the Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas CONICET-UNRC (Argentina) to study the Az39-microbiome interactions in the laboratory of Dr Gabriel Castrillo (UoN). Dr Anahí will learn the technologies required to establish how the sensing of and interference with bacterial cell-cell signalling mechanisms known as quorum sensing by A. argentinense Az39 affect the association between this organism, the root microbiome, and the plant, and its consequences on crop production. This project will provide this postdoc the know-how required for the characterization of polymicrobial biofilms associated with roots to identify novel bacteria bacteria and bacteria-plant interaction mechanisms using Az39 mutant strains previously developed in Argentina. Understanding how the root microbiome influences the colonization and establishment of Azospirillum in the root will provide the basis for the development and optimization of novel microbiome based strategies to modulate the proven beneficial effect of Azospirillum in agriculture settings. This project fits the 'Transforming Food Production' challenge from UKRI's Industry Strategy Challenge fund supporting new ways to produce food by reducing pollution from chemicals fertilizers and pesticides through the use of biological approaches |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Strengthening the collaborative relationship between the UK and Argentinian universities and plans are being made for future joint projects. The postdoc involved in the work has been able to apply for a fellowship in the UK to continue the research and establish themselves as an independent researcher. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_027 Analysing the impact of the root microbiome biofilm on the beneficial effect of Azospirillum on crops |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) A. argentinense Az39 is used as a biological fertilizer to improve crop productivity whilst reducing the environmental impact of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. However, besides the well-studied capacities to promote plant growth by the production of active metabolites and fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, the mechanisms by which Az39 interacts with the root microbiome and how this leads to plant growth is poorly understood. Successful microbial inoculants must be capable of invading and persisting with the indigenous microbiome. Identifying the elements driving Az39 root colonization, especially those related to the root microbiome, is of critical importance to control this microbe-based technology in a predictable way. This fellowship aims to provide the required training to Dr Nayla Anahí Coniglio from the Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas CONICET-UNRC (Argentina) to study the Az39-microbiome interactions in the laboratory of Dr Gabriel Castrillo (UoN). Dr Anahí will learn the technologies required to establish how the sensing of and interference with bacterial cell-cell signalling mechanisms known as quorum sensing by A. argentinense Az39 affect the association between this organism, the root microbiome, and the plant, and its consequences on crop production. This project will provide this postdoc the know-how required for the characterization of polymicrobial biofilms associated with roots to identify novel bacteria bacteria and bacteria-plant interaction mechanisms using Az39 mutant strains previously developed in Argentina. Understanding how the root microbiome influences the colonization and establishment of Azospirillum in the root will provide the basis for the development and optimization of novel microbiome based strategies to modulate the proven beneficial effect of Azospirillum in agriculture settings. This project fits the 'Transforming Food Production' challenge from UKRI's Industry Strategy Challenge fund supporting new ways to produce food by reducing pollution from chemicals fertilizers and pesticides through the use of biological approaches |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Strengthening the collaborative relationship between the UK and Argentinian universities and plans are being made for future joint projects. The postdoc involved in the work has been able to apply for a fellowship in the UK to continue the research and establish themselves as an independent researcher. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_030 - To investigate the potential effects of hand washing and drying on skin microbial communities and interactions between viruses and bacteria |
| Organisation | Dyson |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | In this placement, the aims of the project are to work with Dyson Technology Ltd. to investigate the effects of hand washing and drying on skin microbial communities and interactions between viruses and bacteria. The skin microbial communities will be sampled from a group of volunteers (ethics approval has already been sought). Recovery will use the glove juice method where a participant places their hand in a sterile glove, a known amount of diluent is added, and hands are rubbed together to release microorganisms. This suspension is collected and plated onto agar (bacteria) or bacterial lawns (virus). The planned inoculation method will be addition of a known concentration of indicator species onto hands, following by rubbing and drying in air. Recovery will again use the glove juice method. Dyson will provide several hand air dryer designs and possible release of remaining skin microbial communities and contaminating indicator species as aerosols will be examined using air samplers in a defined room space. The project concerns hygiene improvement and reducing hand drying cost. To note, paper towels have high running costs and associated waste management, and higher carbon footprint when compared to hand dryers; moreover, hand dryers can have an efficient design lowering energy use. As such the proposal can contribute to the UKRI's Industry Strategy Challenge Fund addressing Clean Growth-Made Smarter challenge: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/our-main-funds/industrial-strategy-challenge fund/clean-growth/made-smarter-innovation-challenge/ It also aligns with the Ageing Society-Heathy Ageing challenge: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/our main-funds/industrial-strategy-challenge-fund/ageing-society/healthy-ageing-challenge/ because it provides easier (and cheaper) hand drying for disabled, older, frail people with or without arthritic hands. It addresses the identified themes of: • Creating healthy active places • Design for age-friendly homes • Living well with cognitive impairment • Managing common complaints of ageing • Maintaining health at work |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | This project has successfully addressed concerns such as hygiene improvement and reducing hand drying cost. To note, paper towels have high running costs and associated waste management, and higher carbon footprint when compared to hand dryers; moreover, hand dryers can have an efficient design lowering energy use. As such the proposal has contributed to the UKRI's Industry Strategy Challenge Fund addressing Clean Growth-Made Smarter challenge: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/our-main-funds/industrial-strategy-challenge-fund/clean-growth/made-smarter-innovation-challenge/ |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_030 - To investigate the potential effects of hand washing and drying on skin microbial communities and interactions between viruses and bacteria |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | In this placement, the aims of the project are to work with Dyson Technology Ltd. to investigate the effects of hand washing and drying on skin microbial communities and interactions between viruses and bacteria. The skin microbial communities will be sampled from a group of volunteers (ethics approval has already been sought). Recovery will use the glove juice method where a participant places their hand in a sterile glove, a known amount of diluent is added, and hands are rubbed together to release microorganisms. This suspension is collected and plated onto agar (bacteria) or bacterial lawns (virus). The planned inoculation method will be addition of a known concentration of indicator species onto hands, following by rubbing and drying in air. Recovery will again use the glove juice method. Dyson will provide several hand air dryer designs and possible release of remaining skin microbial communities and contaminating indicator species as aerosols will be examined using air samplers in a defined room space. The project concerns hygiene improvement and reducing hand drying cost. To note, paper towels have high running costs and associated waste management, and higher carbon footprint when compared to hand dryers; moreover, hand dryers can have an efficient design lowering energy use. As such the proposal can contribute to the UKRI's Industry Strategy Challenge Fund addressing Clean Growth-Made Smarter challenge: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/our-main-funds/industrial-strategy-challenge fund/clean-growth/made-smarter-innovation-challenge/ It also aligns with the Ageing Society-Heathy Ageing challenge: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/our main-funds/industrial-strategy-challenge-fund/ageing-society/healthy-ageing-challenge/ because it provides easier (and cheaper) hand drying for disabled, older, frail people with or without arthritic hands. It addresses the identified themes of: • Creating healthy active places • Design for age-friendly homes • Living well with cognitive impairment • Managing common complaints of ageing • Maintaining health at work |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | This project has successfully addressed concerns such as hygiene improvement and reducing hand drying cost. To note, paper towels have high running costs and associated waste management, and higher carbon footprint when compared to hand dryers; moreover, hand dryers can have an efficient design lowering energy use. As such the proposal has contributed to the UKRI's Industry Strategy Challenge Fund addressing Clean Growth-Made Smarter challenge: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/our-main-funds/industrial-strategy-challenge-fund/clean-growth/made-smarter-innovation-challenge/ |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_030 - To investigate the potential effects of hand washing and drying on skin microbial communities and interactions between viruses and bacteria |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In this placement, the aims of the project are to work with Dyson Technology Ltd. to investigate the effects of hand washing and drying on skin microbial communities and interactions between viruses and bacteria. The skin microbial communities will be sampled from a group of volunteers (ethics approval has already been sought). Recovery will use the glove juice method where a participant places their hand in a sterile glove, a known amount of diluent is added, and hands are rubbed together to release microorganisms. This suspension is collected and plated onto agar (bacteria) or bacterial lawns (virus). The planned inoculation method will be addition of a known concentration of indicator species onto hands, following by rubbing and drying in air. Recovery will again use the glove juice method. Dyson will provide several hand air dryer designs and possible release of remaining skin microbial communities and contaminating indicator species as aerosols will be examined using air samplers in a defined room space. The project concerns hygiene improvement and reducing hand drying cost. To note, paper towels have high running costs and associated waste management, and higher carbon footprint when compared to hand dryers; moreover, hand dryers can have an efficient design lowering energy use. As such the proposal can contribute to the UKRI's Industry Strategy Challenge Fund addressing Clean Growth-Made Smarter challenge: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/our-main-funds/industrial-strategy-challenge fund/clean-growth/made-smarter-innovation-challenge/ It also aligns with the Ageing Society-Heathy Ageing challenge: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/our main-funds/industrial-strategy-challenge-fund/ageing-society/healthy-ageing-challenge/ because it provides easier (and cheaper) hand drying for disabled, older, frail people with or without arthritic hands. It addresses the identified themes of: • Creating healthy active places • Design for age-friendly homes • Living well with cognitive impairment • Managing common complaints of ageing • Maintaining health at work |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | This project has successfully addressed concerns such as hygiene improvement and reducing hand drying cost. To note, paper towels have high running costs and associated waste management, and higher carbon footprint when compared to hand dryers; moreover, hand dryers can have an efficient design lowering energy use. As such the proposal has contributed to the UKRI's Industry Strategy Challenge Fund addressing Clean Growth-Made Smarter challenge: https://www.ukri.org/what-we-offer/our-main-funds/industrial-strategy-challenge-fund/clean-growth/made-smarter-innovation-challenge/ |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_039 - Single-cell electrochemical and force spectroscope AFM study of the interaction between bacteria and functionalized biomimetic surfaces |
| Organisation | National Biofilms Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The search for new, functional antimicrobial surfaces is becoming more urgent as the prevention of biofilms becomes an underpinning strategy for preventing biofilms that are implicated in AMR and significant economic costs across multiple industry sectors. Recently, we utilized the self-assembly of S layer proteins to form a novel kind of well-controlled, nanostructured, bio-compatible surface. It is of great research interest if we could use AFM to study the interaction between bacteria cells and the functionalized surface and, at the same time, study the electron transfer between the single bacteria cell and the substrate. However, it is a challenging task to combine AFM force spectroscopy and AFM electrochemical measurement. In this fellowship, (1) I will focus on single-cell adhesion measurement using our multimode AFM. These measurements will help us understand the mechanism of the antimicrobial behaviour of functionalized surfaces and will help us design a better antimicrobial surface. (2) I will study the electron transfer between a single bacteria cell and a functionalized surface using electrochemical measurement. For this purpose, we will upgrade our multimode AFM with an electrochemical flow cell and a potentiostat. (3) Integrate 1 and 2 in one experiment. To achieve this goal, I will collaborate with Bruker Ltd, UK, the world-leading AFM company. I plan to visit Bruker to carry out initial electrochemistry and single-cell adhesion experiments and will upgrade our AFM further for these experiments (including software updating and a new electrochemistry flow cell) with the help of Bruker. With the support from FTMA 4, I will intensify the collaboration with Bruker. By leading this collaborative project, I can enhance my communication, leadership, and project management skills, which will benefit my career development greatly in the future. This will lead me the way to an independent researcher. This fellowship aligns with the themes: Prevent and Detect. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Continued collaboration and plans made for future joint activities. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC FTMA4_22_039 - Single-cell electrochemical and force spectroscope AFM study of the interaction between bacteria and functionalized biomimetic surfaces |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The search for new, functional antimicrobial surfaces is becoming more urgent as the prevention of biofilms becomes an underpinning strategy for preventing biofilms that are implicated in AMR and significant economic costs across multiple industry sectors. Recently, we utilized the self-assembly of S layer proteins to form a novel kind of well-controlled, nanostructured, bio-compatible surface. It is of great research interest if we could use AFM to study the interaction between bacteria cells and the functionalized surface and, at the same time, study the electron transfer between the single bacteria cell and the substrate. However, it is a challenging task to combine AFM force spectroscopy and AFM electrochemical measurement. In this fellowship, (1) I will focus on single-cell adhesion measurement using our multimode AFM. These measurements will help us understand the mechanism of the antimicrobial behaviour of functionalized surfaces and will help us design a better antimicrobial surface. (2) I will study the electron transfer between a single bacteria cell and a functionalized surface using electrochemical measurement. For this purpose, we will upgrade our multimode AFM with an electrochemical flow cell and a potentiostat. (3) Integrate 1 and 2 in one experiment. To achieve this goal, I will collaborate with Bruker Ltd, UK, the world-leading AFM company. I plan to visit Bruker to carry out initial electrochemistry and single-cell adhesion experiments and will upgrade our AFM further for these experiments (including software updating and a new electrochemistry flow cell) with the help of Bruker. With the support from FTMA 4, I will intensify the collaboration with Bruker. By leading this collaborative project, I can enhance my communication, leadership, and project management skills, which will benefit my career development greatly in the future. This will lead me the way to an independent researcher. This fellowship aligns with the themes: Prevent and Detect. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaborative partners in this flexible talent mobility scheme project. |
| Impact | Continued collaboration and plans made for future joint activities. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Proposal to BBSRC Flexible Talent Mobility Accounts (FTMA) - 2024 |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Lead on the proposal |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributed to the formulation of the proposal |
| Impact | The proposal was successful, securing £300k to be distributed between NBIC partners and members over 3 years from April 2024 |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Proposal to BBSRC Flexible Talent Mobility Accounts (FTMA) - 2024 |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Lead on the proposal |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributed to the formulation of the proposal |
| Impact | The proposal was successful, securing £300k to be distributed between NBIC partners and members over 3 years from April 2024 |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Proposal to COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) for COST action - Regulatory ToolBox |
| Organisation | University of Porto |
| Country | Portugal |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Collaborating on a proposal for an European Network (COST action) cantered around the creating a network for brining biofilm research and regulatory science together. Provided significant contribution to the proposal content. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Porto was the main proposer for this network. There were multiple co-proposers from the academic and industry and 3rd party organisations from the EU and also from the USA and Singapore and Australia |
| Impact | No outputs yet. Waiting for competition results |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Proposal to EPSRC Tackling infections novel technologies mini sandpit Call |
| Organisation | Agri-EPI Centre Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Lead on the proposal |
| Collaborator Contribution | Co-formulated the proposal |
| Impact | No outputs - the proposal was unsuccessful |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Proposal to EPSRC Tackling infections novel technologies mini sandpit Call |
| Organisation | High Value Manufacturing Catapult |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Lead on the proposal |
| Collaborator Contribution | Co-formulated the proposal |
| Impact | No outputs - the proposal was unsuccessful |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Proposal to EPSRC Tackling infections novel technologies mini sandpit Call |
| Organisation | Medicines Discovery Catapult |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Lead on the proposal |
| Collaborator Contribution | Co-formulated the proposal |
| Impact | No outputs - the proposal was unsuccessful |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Proposal to EPSRC Tackling infections novel technologies mini sandpit Call |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Department | School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Lead on the proposal |
| Collaborator Contribution | Co-formulated the proposal |
| Impact | No outputs - the proposal was unsuccessful |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Proposal to EPSRC Tackling infections novel technologies mini sandpit Call |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Lead on the proposal |
| Collaborator Contribution | Co-formulated the proposal |
| Impact | No outputs - the proposal was unsuccessful |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Proposal to EPSRC Tackling infections novel technologies mini sandpit Call |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Lead on the proposal |
| Collaborator Contribution | Co-formulated the proposal |
| Impact | No outputs - the proposal was unsuccessful |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Proposal to Innovate UK, Regulatory Networks Call |
| Organisation | Manchester Metropolitan University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Formulated and submitted a successful proposal to Innovate UK call for the establishment of Regulatory Networks Discovery Phase. Lead on the proposal. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Jointly formulated and submitted the proposal. |
| Impact | Proposal was successful, securing funding of £50,000 for the three partners to carry out further engagements and proposal formulation for the Implementation Phase of this programme. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Proposal to the European Partnership on Metrology - Green Call |
| Organisation | BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Partner in an European consortium of 10 partners proposing a project to the EURAMET. Proposal title: Metrology framework for Biomass and Biodiversity Measurement in Renewable Energy Systems. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Jointly developed and submitted the proposal. |
| Impact | No outputs yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Proposal to the European Partnership on Metrology - Green Call |
| Organisation | Danish Fundamental Metrology |
| Country | Denmark |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Partner in an European consortium of 10 partners proposing a project to the EURAMET. Proposal title: Metrology framework for Biomass and Biodiversity Measurement in Renewable Energy Systems. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Jointly developed and submitted the proposal. |
| Impact | No outputs yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Proposal to the European Partnership on Metrology - Green Call |
| Organisation | Institute Josef Stefan |
| Country | Slovenia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Partner in an European consortium of 10 partners proposing a project to the EURAMET. Proposal title: Metrology framework for Biomass and Biodiversity Measurement in Renewable Energy Systems. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Jointly developed and submitted the proposal. |
| Impact | No outputs yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Proposal to the European Partnership on Metrology - Green Call |
| Organisation | Institute for Natural Resources and Agrobiology |
| Country | Spain |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Partner in an European consortium of 10 partners proposing a project to the EURAMET. Proposal title: Metrology framework for Biomass and Biodiversity Measurement in Renewable Energy Systems. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Jointly developed and submitted the proposal. |
| Impact | No outputs yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Proposal to the European Partnership on Metrology - Green Call |
| Organisation | Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC) Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Partner in an European consortium of 10 partners proposing a project to the EURAMET. Proposal title: Metrology framework for Biomass and Biodiversity Measurement in Renewable Energy Systems. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Jointly developed and submitted the proposal. |
| Impact | No outputs yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Proposal to the European Partnership on Metrology - Green Call |
| Organisation | University of Ljubljana |
| Country | Slovenia |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Partner in an European consortium of 10 partners proposing a project to the EURAMET. Proposal title: Metrology framework for Biomass and Biodiversity Measurement in Renewable Energy Systems. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Jointly developed and submitted the proposal. |
| Impact | No outputs yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Proposal to the European Partnership on Metrology - Green Call |
| Organisation | University of Surrey |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Partner in an European consortium of 10 partners proposing a project to the EURAMET. Proposal title: Metrology framework for Biomass and Biodiversity Measurement in Renewable Energy Systems. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Jointly developed and submitted the proposal. |
| Impact | No outputs yet. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Undergraduate summer research project with Blue Planet Ecosystems (Gavin Melaugh) |
| Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Supervision and funding for a summer undergraduate research project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Supervision for a summer undergraduate research project. |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Company Name | BioTryp Therapeutics |
| Description | BioTryp Therapeutics researches and develops antibiofilm therapies for bacterial infections. |
| Year Established | 2023 |
| Impact | Impact to come, incorporated in 2023. |
| Website | https://biotryp.com/ |
| Company Name | MiDx |
| Description | MiDx develops at-home diagnostic kits identifying a bacterium that can be deadly for people with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, aiming to decrease wait times for treatment. |
| Year Established | 2023 |
| Impact | None yet. |
| Company Name | Metzero Technologies Ltd |
| Description | |
| Year Established | 2023 |
| Impact | Impact to come, incorporated in 2023. |
| Description | ARIA launch (Cait MacPhee) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | NBIC were represented at the formal launch of ARIA (Advanced Research and Invention Agency), which was attended by numerous civil servants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Banff Innovation Summit (Jo Slater-Jefferies) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Banff Innovation Summit was established in partnership between Alberta Innovates CEO Laura Kilcrease and SYNERGIE Global's Dr. Peter Riddles. The summit's purpose was to create a better-connected global innovation system by facilitating interaction among committed leaders and brokering collaborative global projects, thus accelerating the progress to solving global problems and creating opportunity for economic and social advancement. The inaugural summit was held at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel over three days (28-30 May 2023), with the following program emphasis: Day 1, Connect; Day 2, Collaborate and Day 3, Commit. An Advisory Group with members from participating countries gave input to the program and summit planning. A workshop was held in Banff Fairmont Springs hotel the year before to help plan and test ideas for this summit. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Beyond Antibiotics, EPSRC Programme Grant, Steering Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Advisory / Steering Group, Beyond Antibiotics EPSRC Programme Grant (Eleanor Stride, University of Oxford as PI), 24th Jan. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Biofilm seminar series at the University of Edinburgh (Gavin Melaugh) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The School of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh has launched a new research seminar series focussing on the interdisciplinary science of aggregated microbial communities and biofilms. The inaugural seminar had talks from NBIC Co-Director, Prof Cait MacPhee, and Prof Nicola Stanley-Wall (Dundee, Molecular Microbiology) on their complementary work on biofilms from two different disciplines. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Biopharma Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | NBIC IRF, Dr Callum Highmore, was asked to give a presentation to people working in the food industry internationally relating to a recent project investigating Bactiscan, to assist with adoption of the technology into the sector. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Career in science event at local school (Callum Highmore) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Dr Highmore (NBIC IRF) spoke at a career event at a local school. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Change Makers Live 2023 (Rasmita Raval) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | In March 2022, NBIC Liverpool Director Professor Rasmita Raval attended the business and innovation conference, Change Makers Live 2023, where she delivered a talk on the importance of biofilms. The presentation included an educational piece on beneficial and detrimental biofilms, as well as highlighting the multidisciplinary strength of the NBIC consortium across the UK, and leadership within the global scientific biofilm community. Change Makers Live is a national conference, hosted by Downtown in Business, exploring innovative solutions to the challenges facing the UK and global economy in the twenty-first century. The 2023 event in Liverpool gave leading entrepreneurs, academics, opinion formers, and politicians a platform to offer solutions to the key issues that are exercising decision-makers not just in the UK, but around the globe. Both Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, and Wes Streeting, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, addressed the conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.biofilms.ac.uk/highlighting-the-importance-of-biofilms/ |
| Description | Ctr for Biofilm Engineering 2024 Anti-Biofilm Technologies: Pathways to Product Development Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Prof. Cait Macphee represented NBIC at this event. Organised by the Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE), the meeting engages industry, academia, and federal agencies in discussion on the impact of biofilm in our daily lives. Over the past decade, academic research advances and private company R&D efforts have led to the development of innovative anti-biofilm technologies with transformative potential in the consumer products and healthcare arenas. Likewise, advances in methods for studying and assessing biofilms have provided new insights into important biofilm characteristics such as why biofilms are difficult to kill and remove from surfaces. The CBE is sponsoring this meeting for the eleventh consecutive year in an effort to bring together industry, regulatory agencies, and academia to discuss anti-biofilm-related technologies, research, and regulatory pathways. This in-person meeting will feature talks on wounds, nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infections, heater cooler units, food contact surfaces, and hard surface disinfection. These topics will be presented in the context of the FDA and EPA claims process. Additionally, a session will be devoted to the topic of self-regulating industries including the dental and personal care products sectors. The roster of speakers represents a cross-section of experts from industry, academia, healthcare, and regulatory agencies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.montana.edu/calendar/events/48388 |
| Description | Cystic Fibrosis AMR Syndicate Steering Committee (Miguel Camara) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Miguel is a member of the Cystic Fibrosis AMR Syndicate Steering Committee as NBIC representative. Miguel's role has been to represent the areas of unmet needs in biofilm research and innovation in the area of antimicrobials in cystic fibrosis contributing to the agenda of this committee. The committee meets an average of 3 times a year. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Festival of Science and Curiosity - Central Library Nottingham |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity took place between Monday 5 - Friday16 February 2024. The festival is produced by local charity Ignite!, and is a collaboration between UoN, NTU, local authorities across Nottinghamshire and cultural and educational organisations. The event took place in the Central Library in Nottingham. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Focus group with Cystic Fibrosis clinicians |
| 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 | Online focus groups were held with clinical care teams for people with Cystic Fibrosis to understand their experience of manmaging and diagnosing infections in people with CF. Views were recorded and anonymised. Insights gained on unmet need for microbial diagnostics and what would be acceptable in their for their patients either at home use or in the clinic were discussed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Focus group with people with Cystic Fibrosis (Shaun Robertson) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Online focus groups were held with people with Cystic Fibrosis to understand their lived experience with CF and pain points around their care in terms of diagnosis of infections. Views were recorded and anonymised. Insights gained on unmet need for microbial diagnostics and what would be acceptable for them either at home use or in the clinic were discussed. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Fresh Check Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | NBIC IRF, Dr Callum Highmore, gave a presentation and then led a discussion on the biology and challenges of biofilms to decision makers in the food industry to improve understanding of the issue and support informed changes to improving food safety within the industry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Gotham Cub Scouts visit (Samantha McLean) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Microbiology outreach activities with Cub Scout groups to encourage participants to engage with microbiology and STEM. Activities included - environmental swabbing, glo-germ hand washing and quizzes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Highlights from ECFP/NBIC Wastewater Treatment Event 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | News article on the NBIC website describing the Wastewater treatment event held in collaboration with the Edinburgh Complex Fluids Partnership in December 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.biofilms.ac.uk/ecfp-nbic-wastewater-treatment-event-2022/ |
| Description | ICURe Commercialisation Support - BioTryp Therapeutics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The NBIC ICURe support allowed BioTryp Therapeutics to engage with further commercialisation support, including; - We partnered with Spin Up Science to provide commercial advisory and support, including investment readiness and fundraising strategy, investor introductions through investment arm, Science Angel Syndicate, and commercial strategy, opportunity pipeline building and spinout support. - We took part in EnterpriseTECH Cohort 11 at the Cambridge Judge Business School, where further market research was conducted. - We completed the Innovate UK Microbials (Microbiome, Biofilms & Phage) Accelerator Programme (26th June - 24th July, 2023), which was co-led by LYVA Labs and Bionow. The accelerator provided a package of support as well as a platform to network with similar investors & stakeholders in the Biofilms area. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Indonesia biofilm research collaboration center (Jo Slater-Jefferies) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presenting the lessons learned of biofilm research collaboration from NBIC UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Industry engagement training event 2023 (Will Green) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | NBIC designed and delivered an industry engagement training event to East Midlands academics interested in engaging with NBIC or the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences doctoral training programme. This event was delivered on the 7th of July by NBIC Innovation and Partnership Manager William Green and targeted early career researchers and provided training and advice on areas of industrial unmet need, how to effectively engage with industry and how to design a successful collaborative project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Innovate UK Microbials (Microbiome, Biofilms & Phage) Accelerator Programme (Rasmita Raval) |
| 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 | NBIC partners at the University of Liverpool are a core partner for a new Innovate UK-funded Microbials (Microbiome, Biofilms & Phage) Accelerator that is now accepting applications from SMEs for a programme of support to help scale their businesses and secure funding for the commercialisation of innovative microbial technologies. The University of Liverpool's Microbiome Innovation Centre and the Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces are part of a consortium providing core expertise for the Microbials Accelerator which is co-led by LYVA Labs and Bionow. Other partners include iiCON, CPI and the Innovation Agency. The programme consists of a package of business support and access to clinical, scientific, technical and commercial advice at no cost to the company. The scope for the Microbials Accelerator includes technologies, products, processes, and services that have the potential to impact microbial communities or biofilms related to health, including new technologies to protect beneficial microbiomes or to control harmful microbial communities or biofilms. The Microbials Accelerator partnership offers a programme of developmental courses and mentorship opportunities. The programme is designed to give businesses the knowledge and support they need to move products and services from the development stage to market readiness. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://bionow.co.uk/event/Bionow161/innovate-uk-microbials-microbiome-biofilms-phage-accelerator-pr... |
| Description | Joint workshop: NBIC & the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | BBSRC-funded workshop looking to catalyse joint research and innovation activities in biofilm studies (AMR and biobanking) between WACCBIP and NBIC. Faculty from WACCBIP and the Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research (NMIMR) attended and there was also a representative from the Medicine and Health Care Products Regulatory Agency. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://waccbip.org/news-events/news/breaking-barriers-in-antimicrobial-discovery-uk-and-ghana-forge... |
| Description | Joyful Microbe podcast (Sandra Wilks) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interviewed for the Joyful Microbe podcast under a session called "What really makes something dirty". This is a public engagement podcast available internationally and targeted to the general public to help understanding of microbiology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | MediLink Midlands/NBIC Showcase: Supporting Collaboration for Impact in Biofilm Research (Miguel Camara, Kim Hardie) |
| 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 | The University of Nottingham held a showcase event with Medilink Midlands in May 2023. The purpose of the event was to give delegates an insight into the extensive opportunities offered by the National Biofilm Innovation Centre and Medilink Midlands to support collaboration between academia and industry in the area of biofilm research and innovation. Presentations and tours provided an opportunity to see the state-of-the-art facilities available to characterise biofilms at the University of Nottingham or through NBIC partners. A selection of projects that exemplify successful collaborations between academia and industry were presented by experts in the field, and there was an opportunity for delegates to pitch ideas for new collaborations. After the event, innovation vouchers were available to support new projects between industry and academia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.medilinkmidlands.com/event/nbic-showcase/ |
| Description | Microbiome Innovation Advisory Board (Innovate UK KTN) (Jo Slater-Jefferies) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Joined the Microbiome Innovation Advisory Board. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Microbiome One Health Meeting (Jeremy Webb, Jo Slater-Jefferies) |
| 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 | Discussions and planning (UK microbiome strategy and roadmap) and presented the opportunities provided by the National Biofilms Innovation Centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Microbiome focussed workshop in Westminster |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Prof Lesley Hoyles from Nottingham Trent University took part in a microbiome-focused workshop at Westminster. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC Business engagements (April to June 2023) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | NBIC regularly meet with and contact businesses across all sectors relevant to biofilms. Sometimes this is introducing NBIC to them and establishing initial links before establishing unmet needs in relation to biofilms. This can lead to us facilitating contacts with other businesses and our network of academics across our partner research institutions. We set up two way discussions with parties which can lead to projects or consultancy. In this quarter we engaged with the following companies (58 in total): Fujifilm DioSynth Technologies, Jacobs, MiAlgae, Pipeline Cleaning Solutions, Strathkelvin Instruments, Veolia, 5D Health, Freedom Hygiene, SoeMac, Brukker, Chemical Intelligence, HLS Accelerator, Mast Group, Quantum Science, Silveray, Unilever, Alberta Innovates (Canada), Ardhi digital, ARC training Centre, ARUP, Black-kite Ltd, Chilworth Science Park, CSIRO (Australia), Canada Foundation for Innovation, Future South, Geospatial Commission, Innovation Canada, Mtech Access, Novabiotics, NPL, NSG Pilkington, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Scion Forests, UKHSA, University of Alberta, Aramco (Saudi Arabia), BP, Convatec, ECHA Microbiology, IMSL, Intertek, Microbial Insights (USA), Nuclera, Rawwater Engineering, Reckitt, You Seq Ltd, Boston Scott Corporation, CytaCoat, Dyson, JVS Products, Nanovibronix, Provectus, Revolution Zero, IWS UK, Medisanitise, Perfectly Fresh, RAFT solutions, UK Phage innovation showcase. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC Business engagements (December 2022) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | NBIC regularly meet with and contact businesses across all sectors relevant to biofilms. Sometimes this is introducing NBIC to them and establishing initial links before establishing unmet needs in relation to biofilms. This can lead to us facilitating contacts with other businesses and our network of academics across our partner research institutions. We set up two way discussions with parties which can lead to projects or consultancy. In December 2022, we had productive interactions with the following companies: Jacobs, NCIMB, Virustatic, and Oxford Technology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | NBIC Business engagements (January - March 2023) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | NBIC regularly meet with and contact businesses across all sectors relevant to biofilms. Sometimes this is introducing NBIC to them and establishing initial links before establishing unmet needs in relation to biofilms. This can lead to us facilitating contacts with other businesses and our network of academics across our partner research institutions. We set up two way discussions with parties which can lead to projects or consultancy. Between January and March 2023, we had productive interactions with the following companies: LGC, ARUP, Blue Planet Ecosystems, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, Intelligent Growth Solutions, Jacobs, Novosound, Pipeline Cleaning Solutions, Scottish Water, Strameno, Veolia, Warren Elsmore Ltd, Agrigum, Destiny Pharma, DHV Royal Haskoning, Enfold Health, FoodClean, JVS, Nanovibronix, Rawwater, Realsphere, and Tristel. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC Business engagements (July to September 2023) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | NBIC regularly meet with and contact businesses across all sectors relevant to biofilms. Sometimes this is introducing NBIC to them and establishing initial links before establishing unmet needs in relation to biofilms. This can lead to us facilitating contacts with other businesses and our network of academics across our partner research institutions. We set up two way discussions with parties which can lead to projects or consultancy. In this quarter we engaged with the following companies (38 in total): BP, Convatec, Destiny Pharma, Federation of European Microbiogical Societies, Gencoa Ltd, Magnitude Biosciences, NPL, NML, LGC, Penrhos Bio, Perfectus Biomed, Phytoceutical Ltd, Reckitt, Severn Trent Water, Spirocatix, UKHSA, Unilever, Atkins (water), Jellagen, Project Seagrass, Scottish Water, Veolia, Ardhi, ARUP, Bioenterprise Canada, Hartree Centre, Mtech Access, National Physical Laboratories, Oxford Nanopore technologies, Pollenize, Caravel bio, Magnitude biosciences, Southern Water, Chilled Food Association, Diamond Light Source, ERD Remediation, Haleon, Qbiotics, Shimyatech Ltd. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC Business engagements (Oct to Dec 2023) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | NBIC regularly meet with and contact businesses across all sectors relevant to biofilms. Sometimes this is introducing NBIC to them and establishing initial links before establishing unmet needs in relation to biofilms. This can lead to us facilitating contacts with other businesses and our network of academics across our partner research institutions. We set up two way discussions with parties which can lead to projects or consultancy. In this quarter we engaged with the following companies (36 in total): Arla, Citrox Biosciences, Freedom Hygiene, CABI, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Chilled Food Association, CPI (Catapult), Flinders University (Australia), MHRA, National Physical Laboratories (NPL), Phage Innovation Network Advisory Board, Plymouth Marine Laboratories, Raft Solutions Ltd, Scion Ltd New Zealand, UKHSA, University of Alberta (Canada), University of Ghana, Bactiscan, DNV, MDC Buhmann, Ndorms, Penhros Bio, SCELSE, Agriklenz, Chilled Food Association, International Water Solutions IWS, JVS Products, Mott Mcdonald, Perfectly Fresh, Southern Water, Fonterra, Fujifilm Diosynth Technologies, Jacobs, Project Seagrass. Veolia, Notpla. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC CTP.BITE Introduction to Public Engagement & Outreach |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | JC Denis held this workshop with PhD students during the NBIC Showcase & Summit Event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC CTP.BITE Technical Module 2 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers attended a 1-week course in Southampton. Attendees learned how to sample biofilms, extract DNA, sequence and analyse DNA. This involved many hands-on wet lab and computational workshops. Students were asked to present on different 'omics techniques in a journal club and best presentations were awarded a prize. The use of 'omics technologies in different industries was explored through industry guest lecturers and a panel discussion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC CTP.BITE Thinking about Biofilms like a Physicist |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | As part of their PhD training, postgraduate students will learn about biofilms from a physics perspective. They will learn how to computationally model biofilms. Students will be asked to present on their data sets and prizes will be awarded for the best presentation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC Showcase 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) has been awarded further 5 years of funding from BBRSC and Innovate UK. To commemorate this achievement and to reveal NBIC's plans for Phase 2, NBIC and BBRSC hosted a showcase event on the 12th of September. The event brought together 125 attendees, including representatives from Industry and Research partners institutions, Early Career Researches, NBIC PhD students and Fellow Researchers, advisory boards, and supporters for NBIC Phase 2 proposal. A wide variety of multidisciplinary projects arising from NBIC phase 1 were presented. Eighteen (18) speakers from Research and Industry partners covered relevant topics in the areas of Health care, Health devices and pharmaceuticals, as well as water treatment, biofilm standards and public engagement. Short talks and several breaks were a highlight of this event, which led to great opportunities for networking and engaging in a variety of interacting learning activities, featuring the NBIC's giant biofilms Lego, 3D Biofilms experience, art gallery and embroidery. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC Summit 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | NBIC hosted the annual Summit event in 2024. Twenty-eight (28) speakers presented their Research outcomes on biofilm interventional themes Prevention, Disruption, Manage and Engineer (PDME). This event brought together 58 delegates including the four core partner universities, PhD students and Research fellows. One of the main features of this fast-paced event was the incorporation of breakout sessions. The sessions encouraged valuable discussion among NBIC PhD students and Research Fellows that brought up new ideas in regards Public engagement as well as encouraging bounds within the NBIC community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC and REACT whitepaper explores the future of commercial cleaning technology |
| 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 | News article on NBIC's website higlighting NBIC and REACT's whitepaper on the future of commercial cleaning technology. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.biofilms.ac.uk/the-future-of-commercial-cleaning/ |
| Description | NBIC communication channels engagement (Dec 2022 to March 2023) |
| 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 | LinkedIn: 284 new followers, 786 NBIC LinkedIn page views, 2,246 engagements, 250 referrals to the NBIC website (https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-biofilms-innovation-centre) Twitter: 135 new followers, 552 engagements, 181 referrals to the NBIC website, 61,090 visits to the NBIC Twitter page (https://twitter.com/ukbiofilms) Instagram: 15 New Followers, 145 Profile Visits, 393 Post Engagements (https://www.instagram.com/ukbiofilms/) NBIC website: 13,623 page views, 2,096 visitors, 1,958 new visitors, average of 4 pages viewed per visit, average visit is 2 minutes |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.biofilms.ac.uk |
| Description | NBIC feature in The Economist |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Storming the fortress" and "Bacteria go to war" in the Sept 20th 2023 Economist magazine science and technology section featured the economic and social impact of biofilms. This is the first time that biofilms have have been recognized by a mainstream international print media outlet. The global economic impact of $ 3.9 trn estimated by NBIC's previous market research reports is cited (https://biofilms.ac.uk/international-biofilm-markets/). https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2023/09/27/sticking-together-makes-bacteria-nearly-invincible https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2023/09/27/colonies-of-bacteria-could-save-the-pentagon-billions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC news articles (Mar to Nov 2023) |
| 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 | News articles posted on the NBIC website: NBIC Launch Biofilm Create! Art and Photography Competition https://biofilms.ac.uk/biofilm-create-art-photography-competition/ NBIC Generates Significant Economic Impact https://biofilms.ac.uk/economic-impact/ BBSRC Sparking Innovation Conference https://biofilms.ac.uk/bbsrc-sparking-innovation-conference/ Microbiome One - Health Conference https://biofilms.ac.uk/microbiome-one-health-conference/ Healthcare Innovation Sandbox - Building Knowledge Transfer Partnerships https://biofilms.ac.uk/healthcare-innovation-sandbox/ Southampton Collaboration with Local Shipping Company to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Marine Biofouling https://biofilms.ac.uk/environmental-impact-of-marine-biofouling/ Reservoir Microbiology Forum https://biofilms.ac.uk/reservoir-microbiology-forum-2023/ World AMR Awareness Week Conference: Innovations Against AMR https://biofilms.ac.uk/innovations-against-amr/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | NBIC showcased in Big Ben: An Icon of Democracy and Leadership - an official publication for the History of Parliament Trust |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | News article on NBIC's website. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.biofilms.ac.uk/big-ben-an-icon-of-democracy-and-leadership/ |
| Description | NBIC social channels (Apr to Sept 2023) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | NBIC Twitter channel: 150 new followers, 596 engagements, 92 referrals to the NBIC website NBIC Instagram channel: 50 New Followers, 251 Profile Visits, 340 Post Engagements NBIC website: 13,155 page views, 3,501 visitors, average of 2 pages viewed per visit, average visit is 1:20 minutes NBIC LinkedIn channel: 230 new followers, 1,188 NBIC LinkedIn page views, 2,330 engagements, 131 referrals to the NBIC website |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Ogden Trust Summer School 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Gavin Melaugh represented NBIC at this year's Ogen Trust summer school, running a workshop covered sustainability physics including work on biofilms and wastewater treatment. Around 11 pupils attended in total. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | One Health Conference 2023 (Jo Slater-Jefferies) |
| 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 | One Health is an internationally established approach which recognises that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. It also recognises that interdisciplinary collaboration - between business, Government, academia, Third Sector, finance, and the broad spectrum of innovation agencies - is needed to find solutions to the 'wicked' One Health problems. These are the complex modern problems affecting human, animal and environmental health highlighted by changes to our planetary environment, populations, agriculture, and transport flows - such as antimicrobial resistant bacteria, emerging diseases and problems surrounding food production. Since 2019, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been exploring how to support and encourage enterprise to tackle some of these One Health wicked problems. One Health companies (those working in environmental science, agritech, aquaculture, bioscience, and public health innovation) in and around Dorset have been invited to showcase what they do - alongside academic and Government One Health initiatives - as part of a series of One Health conferences. The next step is to establish a more formal network to promote and support green/clean growth enterprises to accelerate their One Health projects to global markets, and attract inward investment - placing the UK at the forefront of One Health innovation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.dorsetlep.co.uk/one-health |
| Description | Organisation of East Midlands Microbiome Research Network Event (Miguel Camara) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Workshop to create a network of researchers working on microbiome research in the Midlands including biofilms. The event was attended by academics, clinicians and representatives from industry. During this meeting an overview of the NBIC research and facilities at Nottingham University was presented to the audience. This has estimated further interactions including the organisation of seminar series and strategic meetings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Participation in Knowledge Diplomacy Visit (Miguel Camara) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Meeting with members of the Foreign Office, Royal Society, UKRI and DSTL to discuss current NBIC work on the international strategy. A key emphasis was put on the current dialogues to identify synergisms between the exploitation of biofilms in Agriculture between the UK and Argentina. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Participation in Pre-X strategic group meetings (Miguel Camara) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Strategic groups to define the unmet research needs and priority areas in drug discovery covering the gap between hit to lead identification using the appropriate in vitro/in vivo models and medicinal chemistry approaches. These groups have been created to lobby funders and generate targeted collaborations that can accelerate discoveries in the AMR landscape. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Physics x Art at the National Museum of Scotland as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival (JC Denis, Ines Foidl, Cait MacPhee) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Art exhibition featuring work created by student artists and inspired by physics research, including biofilms art and sculptures. The exhibition was open to the general public as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Pint of Science 2023 - "Lasers vs The Superbugs" & "'I Contain Multitudes': The surprising world of microscopic biofilms all around you" (Joe Parker & Callum Highmore) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Drs Joe Parker & Callum Highmore gave talks at Pint of Science 2023, the event was titled "The weird and wonderful life under a microscope". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://pintofscience.co.uk/event/the-weird-and-wonderful-life-under-a-microscope |
| Description | Presentations at the International Continence Society Annual General Meeting (Sandra Wilks) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Attendance and presentation of a papers at the International Continence Society Annual General Meeting. The talks covered work on the use of the Uroshield device to prevent biofilm development on urinary catheters and understanding biofilm formation on ureteric stents. The meeting is the main international conference for urology clinical professionals and industry groups. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.ics.org/2023/programme |
| Description | Princess Royal visit (JC Denis) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Princess Royal opens the new Nucleus Building at the King's Building campus. This included a tour of the new building, where NBIC has a exhibition space showcasing biofilm art. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | School Visit in Netley (Callum Highmore) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I went to a school to speak about science, bacteria and biofilms to 4-5 year olds, using images from studies I have conducted and bacterial toys as props. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | School visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | NBIC IRF, Dr Callum Highmore, joined a school careers day where schoolchildren asked questions about work and life as a scientist. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Snakes and Ladders for a healthy Brain (Jessica Teeling) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public engagement activity to raise awareness for risk factors of dementia, using a giant snakes and ladder game and electronic game, facilitated dialogue with a wide range of audiences |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Southern Policy Centre 2023 conference (Jo Slater-Jefferies) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Over 150 participants and speakers came together at the SPC's 'Ambitions for the central South' conference at Southampton Solent University. Quick fire panels explored sustainable economic growth, the importance of place shaping, health inequality and inclusion, and the possibility of local devolution, with speakers including university Vice Chancellors, business representatives, local government, voluntary and environmental organisations and health leaders. Recognition of the central South, a region with flexible boundaries but a core of the three waterfront cities, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, east Dorset and West Sussex, continues to grow, with the branding used by businesses, universities and this year's delegation to the MIPIM property investment conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://southernpolicycentre.co.uk/ambitions-for-the-central-south-conference-2023/ |
| Description | The Challenges of Urinary Tract Infections conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Ashraf Zarkan was an invited speaker at "The Challenges of Urinary Tract Infections" conference 2023, organised by the British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Dr Zarkan presented an NBIC-funded project and highlighted its potential impact towards developing an antibiofilm therapy for UTIs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | The King's Buildings Doors Open Day 2023 (Edinburgh) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | NBIC were represented on a stand at the 2023 Doors Open Day, which saw around 2000 visitors to the Nucleus Building in KB. Approximately 500 visited the biophysics stand (run by Dr JC Denis), which included NBIC's lego biofilms model. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Work Experience Week 2023 (Edinburgh) (JC Denis) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | A work experience week was run for high school pupils from local schools. This included biophysics work, with two days spent with biophysics researchers including discussions around biofilms and NBIC. Around 7 students took part in total. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |