E-TERM, Engineering Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Wolfson Sch of Mech, Elec & Manufac Eng
Abstract
Continued improvement in the nation's health depends upon the efficient development of affordable replacement human tissue and related therapies; an acute shortage of willing organ donors and the shortcomings of conventional therapies leads to the preventable death of many patients each year. The next healthcare revolution will apply regenerative medicines, creating biological therapies or substitutes for the replacement or restoration of tissue function lost through failure or disease. However, whilst science has revealed the potential, and early products have shown the power of such therapies, there is now a need for the long term supply of people properly trained with the necessary skills to lead the engineering and life science challenges before the predicted benefits in human healthcare can be realised. Realisation of these benefits requires a new generation of translational professional leaders immersed in both the fundamental science of these new products and the clinical, engineering and commercial realities of their creation and application.This proposal brings together for the first time the six University teams, and the associated growing cohorts of young researchers, involved in the two Regenerative Medicine DTCs funded through the EPSRC Life Sciences Interface Programme. Each University group is independently internationally leading in their field, and has attracted significant funding from the EPSRC Life Sciences Interface Programme and elsewhere. The proposed Landscape Award offers the opportunity to combine the research strengths of the six groups to deliver a strategic collaborative programme of cross-disciplinary research, and a cohort of future research leaders in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The proposed research programme is truly cross-disciplinary, requiring expertise that ranges from fundamental cell biology, through biological engineering, biomechanics and tissue engineering, to bioprocessing, regulated manufacturing, and commercialisation.
Planned Impact
Undertaking and ensuring impact activities is integral to the vision and operational processes of the academic groups. We are fortunate that the research portfolios at each of the six universities are user-driven, and in many cases industry led - the focus is on a balance between academic excellence and early industrial relevance. Both DTCs, the Loughborough-led EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Regenerative Medicine, and the Leeds based IKC in Regenerative Therapies and Devices all have established strategies, mechanisms and expert staff for the exploitation of research. The effectiveness of these exploitation strategies is illustrated by the growing number of products and spin-out companies associated with the academic partners. It is our belief and intention that all team members participate in assisting impact. The teams involved in both DTCs have wide experience of managing large and high profile projects and in undertaking impact activities and knowledge transfer at all levels and stakeholder targets. The Landscape Award proposed here has three fundamental deliverables, each of which has highly significant impact across a range of beneficiaries: - a programme of fundamental cross-disciplinary research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) that addresses technological challenges in the translation of promising science to practical therapeutics. Here the impact is geared toward the realisation of regenerative medicine as a viable and wealth-creating industry, the provision of new therapies for use by clinicians, and the promise for patients of new treatments for currently unmet and prevalent chronic conditions. -the identification and nurturing of future research leaders in TERM capable of ensuring the delivery of the potential of RM be this in industry, the public sector, or in academia. -the establishment of a new collaborative research environment between six world leading UK groups based in UK Universities in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Such collaboration will catalyse and accelerate new and ground-breaking advances in both fundamental understanding, and in the translation of that knowledge into everyday healthcare practice. The Landscape Executive Group will regularly review impact made, and the efforts by all associated with the two DTCs to achieve impact. All Fellows projects will have a potential impact analysis and action plan for its execution, and Fellows will receive training as needed to ensure they have the relevant skills. Importantly, as impact activities are an integral part of the working of the two DTCs academic partners, no significant additional financial resource is required.
Organisations
- Loughborough University (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM (Collaboration)
- KEELE UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Aeon Astron B.V. (Collaboration)
- Nanotherics Ltd (Collaboration)
- Ebers Bioreactors (Collaboration)
- Jichi Medical University (Collaboration)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Collaboration)
- The Electrospinning Company (Collaboration)
- Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (Collaboration)
- University of Pennsylvania (Collaboration)
- UKRMP Acellular Hub and UKRMP Immunomodulation Hub (Delcassian) (Collaboration)
- Boston Children's Hospital (Collaboration)
- Phase Focus (Collaboration)
- Akron Biotechnology, LLC (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (Collaboration)
Publications
Adams C
(2016)
Nanoengineering neural stem cells on biomimetic substrates using magnetofection technology
in Nanoscale
Adams C
(2016)
Development of Multifunctional Magnetic Nanoparticles for Genetic Engineering and Tracking of Neural Stem Cells.
in Advanced healthcare materials
ALBERT R
(2013)
Cultivation and characterisation of human peripheral cornea derived endothelial cells
in Acta Ophthalmologica
Asencio IO
(2018)
A methodology for the production of microfabricated electrospun membranes for the creation of new skin regeneration models.
in Journal of tissue engineering
Azoidis I
(2018)
The role of extracellular vesicles in biomineralisation: current perspective and application in regenerative medicine.
in Journal of tissue engineering
Barnes AL
(2016)
Correction to Collagen-Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels with Tunable Properties.
in Biomacromolecules
Barnes AL
(2016)
Collagen-Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels with Tunable Properties.
in Biomacromolecules
Casson J
(2018)
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles may promote breast cancer cell dormancy.
in Journal of tissue engineering
Connon, Che J.; Hamley, Ian W.; Hamley, Ian W.; Murphy, William L.; Xu, Bing; Ulijn, Rein; Wright, Bernice; Heilshorn, Sarah; Jones, Roanna; Khutoryanskiy, Vitaliy V.
(2014)
Hydrogels in Cell-Based Therapies
D. Delcassian
(2015)
Directing Immune Cell Responses using Nanopatterned Interfaces
D. Delcassian
(2017)
Protecting transplanted cell therapies using immunomodulatory materials
D. Delcassian
(2017)
Biomaterials for Immunoengineering
D. Delcassian
(2016)
Directing T cell phenotype with multifunctional biomaterials
Danilevicius P
(2015)
The effect of porosity on cell ingrowth into accurately defined, laser-made, polylactide-based 3D scaffolds
in Applied Surface Science
Davies O
(2016)
Dental Stem Cells: Regenerative Potential
Davies O
(2017)
Considerations for the bioprocessing, manufacture and translation of extracellular vesicles for therapeutic and diagnostic applications
in Cell and Gene Therapy Insights
Davies O
(2017)
Annexin-enriched osteoblast-derived vesicles act as an extracellular site of mineral nucleation within developing stem cell cultures
in Scientific Reports
Davies OG
(2015)
Identifying the Cellular Mechanisms Leading to Heterotopic Ossification.
in Calcified tissue international
Davies OG
(2018)
PDGF is a potent initiator of bone formation in a tissue engineered model of pathological ossification.
in Journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Delcassian D
(2017)
T cell immunoengineering with advanced biomaterials.
in Integrative biology : quantitative biosciences from nano to macro
Delcassian D
(2019)
Drug delivery across length scales.
in Journal of drug targeting
Delcassian D.
(2015)
Directing Immune Cell Responses using Nanopatterned Interfaces
in TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A
Edwards JH
(2019)
Decellularisation affects the strain rate dependent and dynamic mechanical properties of a xenogeneic tendon intended for anterior cruciate ligament replacement.
in Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials
Harrison R
(2018)
Development and validation of broad-spectrum magnetic particle labelling processes for cell therapy manufacturing.
in Stem cell research & therapy
Harrison R
(2016)
Automating decentralized manufacturing of cell & gene therapy products
in Cell and Gene Therapy Insights
Harrison RP
(2017)
Enhancing cell and gene therapy manufacture through the application of advanced fluorescent optical sensors (Review).
in Biointerphases
Harrison RP
(2019)
Chimeric antigen receptor-T cell therapy manufacturing: modelling the effect of offshore production on aggregate cost of goods.
in Cytotherapy
Harrison RP
(2018)
Cell therapy-processing economics: small-scale microfactories as a stepping stone toward large-scale macrofactories.
in Regenerative medicine
Harrison RP
(2018)
Decentralised manufacturing of cell and gene therapy products: Learning from other healthcare sectors.
in Biotechnology advances
Harrison RP
(2018)
Centralised versus decentralised manufacturing and the delivery of healthcare products: A United Kingdom exemplar.
in Cytotherapy
Harrison RP
(2017)
Decentralized manufacturing of cell and gene therapies: Overcoming challenges and identifying opportunities.
in Cytotherapy
Harrison RP
(2019)
Intracellular processing of silica-coated superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles in human mesenchymal stem cells.
in RSC advances
Hughes EAB
(2018)
Interfacial Mineral Fusion and Tubule Entanglement as a Means to Harden a Bone Augmentation Material.
in Advanced healthcare materials
Ilida Ortega Asencio (Author)
(2013)
Development of Tissue Engineered Microenvironments for Corneal Repair
Ilida Ortega Asencio (Author)
(2013)
Development of Tissue Engineered Limbal Stem Cell Microenvironments for Corneal Repair
Ilida Ortega Asencio (Author)
(2013)
Manufacturing of Tissue Engineered Stem Cell Niches for Corneal Healing
Ilida Ortega Asencio (Author)
(2012)
Development of Tissue Engineered Limbal Stem Cell Microenvironments for Corneal Repair
Ilida Ortega Asencio (Author)
(2012)
Development of Tissue Engineered Stem Cell Niches for Corneal Repair
Ilida Ortega Asencio (Author)
(2013)
Microfabrication of Artificial Limbal Stem Cell Microenvironments
Jenkins S
(2016)
'Stealth' nanoparticles evade neural immune cells but also evade major brain cell populations: Implications for PEG-based neurotherapeutics
in Journal of Controlled Release
Jenkins S
(2018)
Use of Nanoparticles in Neuroscience
Jenkins SI
(2014)
Magnetic nanoparticles for oligodendrocyte precursor cell transplantation therapies: progress and challenges.
in Molecular and cellular therapies
Jenkins SI
(2015)
Development of a nanomaterial bio-screening platform for neurological applications.
in Nanomedicine : nanotechnology, biology, and medicine
Lynch A
(2015)
Ultrastructural maintenance of decellularized corneas using dextran
in Acta Ophthalmologica
Lynch AP
(2016)
Dextran Preserves Native Corneal Structure During Decellularization.
in Tissue engineering. Part C, Methods
Marshall J
(2018)
Analysis of the Intrinsic Self-Organising Properties of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Three-Dimensional Co-Culture Models with Endothelial Cells.
in Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)
Miao L
(2019)
Delivery of mRNA vaccines with heterocyclic lipids increases anti-tumor efficacy by STING-mediated immune cell activation.
in Nature biotechnology
Title | Videos representing Big Data |
Description | Through collaboration with a graphics designer, Sarah Bates, Leeds College of Art, we created videos from gene array data to represent the data to the general public in a more engaging manner. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | From the creative representation of the data we were able to pull out analyses not previously seen through traditional methods. |
Description | The two Regenerative Medicine DTC's have been fortunate to secure in collaboration twelve, two year, early career fellowships from EPSRC in the E-TERM, Engineering Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Landscape Fellowship Programme. These fellowships are intended to develop promising young interdisciplinary research leaders. We recruited 12 fellows. Fellows worked on products for ophthalmic use; cartilage, cardiac and neural tissue engineering including spinal cord repair; and immunological, materials, and manufacturing and scale up issues. They both worked as individual independent researchers supported by mentored personal development and working together as a cadre. They also made significant contributions to the DTC's, primarily by the organisation of specialist workshops focussing on timely issues - these have included regulation, pre-clinical models and mesenchymal stem cell technologies. As it closed the programme organised an early career researchers conference, the results this have included policy influencing via input to national consultations, and a study visit to Boston particularly aimed at strengthening the networks of the last group of fellows. |
Exploitation Route | Fellowships are translational and individual project findings are taken forward by individual fellows via industrial or clinical collaborations. The fellows have worked together on a publication summarising successful ways of working, "tricks of the trade", for engineering-based tissue engineering and regenerative medicine translational research. |
Sectors | Education Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | http://www.epsrc-regen-med.org/research/e-term-fellowships/ |
Description | ETERM allowed the appointment of twelve two year translational fellowships, two more fellows than was initially anticipated. The ETERM Fellows as a group published a paper "The early career researcher's toolkit: translating tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and cell therapy products" in 2015 and held a major conference in April 2017 with the aim of setting the direction for translational research in ETERM and of influencing policy. Also the fellows each have their own pathways for impact and will also carry the new knowledge and understanding into their future careers. In addition EPSRC and others are improving their approach to the development of independent early career researchers from the learnings from the Landscape Fellowship programme. Perhaps the most important impact of ETERM is captured by the destination of fellows, ten have secured lectureships, one has secured a Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellowship and one is Business Development Executive for the South of England for the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult. |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Sector | Education,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | ATREUM (Advancing Tissue and Regenerative Engineering in UK Medicine) |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | ATREUM was a national conference spearheaded by the ETERM Fellows which brought together regenerative medicine Early Career Researchers with policy makers, funders and regulators to address barriers to research translation in the UK. In addition, the event including training events for early career researchers on skills required to aid clinical translation. |
Description | ATREUM response to the Industrial Strategy Green Paper UK government policy consultation |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | ATREUM response to the MHRA Pharmacopeia UK government policy consultation |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
Description | Coffee and Careers Seminars |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Postgraduate researchers and staff gain information on a variety of careers paths available to them after completing their PhD or research role. Speakers include scientists in industry, operational researchers in civil service, technologists in innovation and tech transfer teams and holders of fellowships and lectureships |
Description | The early career researcher's toolkit: translating tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and cell therapy products |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
Description | Transferable Skills Training of PGR students at The University of York |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Amanda Barnes led on the design and implementation of induction and training events for PGR researchers in the department of Biology and the University of York. |
Description | Confidence in Concept |
Amount | £150,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2017 |
End | 11/2018 |
Description | Daniel Turnberg Travel Fellowship Scheme |
Amount | £2,900 (GBP) |
Organisation | Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2016 |
End | 10/2016 |
Description | EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account, University of Nottingham. An innovative strategy for vision regeneration using a transplantable tissue-engineered corneal construct |
Amount | £51,402 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2014 |
End | 09/2015 |
Description | EPSRC Impact Acceleration account |
Amount | £96,551 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 04/2017 |
Description | Future Investigators in Regenerative Medicine -Travel Award |
Amount | £800 (GBP) |
Organisation | Future Investigators in Regenerative Medicine |
Sector | Learned Society |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2014 |
End | 09/2014 |
Description | HERMES travel award |
Amount | £1,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2013 |
End | 05/2013 |
Description | Industrial Sponsorship |
Amount | € 4,000 (EUR) |
Organisation | Aeon Astron B.V. |
Sector | Private |
Country | Netherlands |
Start | 03/2014 |
End | 07/2014 |
Description | LimbTox: A cornea in a culture dish, as an animal free engineered model for industrial and pre-clinical research |
Amount | £27,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 13b/I9 |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 06/2014 |
Description | MEIbioeng15 conference registration bursary |
Amount | £200 (GBP) |
Organisation | MEIbioeng 16 |
Sector | Learned Society |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2015 |
End | 09/2015 |
Description | MRC Confidence in Concept |
Amount | £74,743 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2017 |
End | 02/2018 |
Description | Marie Curie Sklodowska Individual Fellowship (Delcassian- DIRECT Therapies) |
Amount | € 300,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 798348 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Department | Horizon 2020 |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 02/2018 |
End | 02/2021 |
Description | Materials Research Symposium - Best Oral Presentation Prize |
Amount | $250 (USD) |
Organisation | Materials Research Society |
Sector | Learned Society |
Country | United States |
Start | 09/2014 |
End | 10/2014 |
Description | Small Grant Scheme |
Amount | £1,800 (GBP) |
Organisation | British Neuropathological Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 08/2017 |
Description | Structural analysis and recellularisation of decellularised corneal scaffolds, Short Scientific Mission in collaboration with Trinity college, Dublin as part of the E-COST Action BM-1302, Joining Forces in Corneal Regeneration Research |
Amount | € 2,500 (EUR) |
Organisation | European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) |
Department | Joining Forces in Corneal Regeneration Research |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 11/2014 |
End | 12/2014 |
Description | TCES Travel Award |
Amount | £150 (GBP) |
Organisation | Tissue and Cell Engineering Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2014 |
End | 09/2014 |
Description | TCES travel award |
Amount | £150 (GBP) |
Organisation | TC Education Services |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2013 |
End | 07/2013 |
Description | TCES travel award |
Amount | £150 (GBP) |
Organisation | TC Education Services |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2013 |
End | 07/2013 |
Description | The Development of a novel human corneal substitute using Ologen Collagen Matrix, Industrial translational funding from Aeon Astron, Europe |
Amount | € 4,000 (EUR) |
Organisation | Aeon Astron B.V. |
Sector | Private |
Country | Netherlands |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 12/2014 |
Description | UKRMP Partnership Award- Delcassian Immuno and Acellular Hub to Hub |
Amount | £50,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | UK Regenerative Medicine Platform |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2016 |
Title | Stratification of decellularised porcine super flexor tendon for ACL replacement |
Description | The following dataset contains instron testing data pertaining to the mechanical testing of decellularised porcine flexor tendons and the parameters that were extracted from that data. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Description | Aeon Astron Industrial visit |
Organisation | Aeon Astron B.V. |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | 5 day industrial outcome to Aeon Astron in Ledien, Holland to engage in knowledge transfer regarding the regulatory hurdles associated with getting regenerated products to market. In addition, discussion of the use of Ologen collagen matrix, a matrix originally developed for skin models, as a potential corneal substrate. A visit intended to facilitate the the development of pipeline technologies by initiating a collaborative relationship. |
Collaborator Contribution | I received technical assistance regarding protocols and procedures required for working with Ologen collagen matrix and was involved in meetings where the routes and barriers to marketing a product were discussed. It bought up some important considerations for the future regarding bio burdens and regulatory hurdles. |
Impact | Strengthening of existing collaboration Knowledge transfer Supply of Ologen matrix |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | CAR-T Cell Manufacturing Collaboration |
Organisation | Akron Biotechnology, LLC |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Providing cost of goods insights to a project/manuscript investigating global CAR-T manufacturing. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provided global perspective and hands on clinibal and commercial data on CAR-t and manufacturing. |
Impact | to come. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | CAR-T Cell Manufacturing Collaboration |
Organisation | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Department | Industrial Performance Center |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Providing cost of goods insights to a project/manuscript investigating global CAR-T manufacturing. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provided global perspective and hands on clinibal and commercial data on CAR-t and manufacturing. |
Impact | to come. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | CAR-T Cell Manufacturing Collaboration |
Organisation | University of Pennsylvania |
Department | Perelman School of Medicine |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Providing cost of goods insights to a project/manuscript investigating global CAR-T manufacturing. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provided global perspective and hands on clinibal and commercial data on CAR-t and manufacturing. |
Impact | to come. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Collaboration with Jichi Medical University |
Organisation | Jichi Medical University |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Grant writing |
Collaborator Contribution | Grant writing |
Impact | Funding acquisition |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Collaboration with PhaseFocus Ltd |
Organisation | Phase Focus |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Use of MSC cell lines to collect data for optimisation on Phase Focus Livecyte imaging and analysis system |
Collaborator Contribution | Free use of beta version on Livecyte system to perform label free automated cell tracking on MSC behaviour |
Impact | Data has been presented at ARUK Tissue Engineering Group Meetings, and selected for paper presentations at the 2017 UK MSC Conference and the 2017 White Rose Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Group Meeting, winning second best oral presentation at the latter. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | ETERM Secondment to the Canada Centre for Regenerative Medicine |
Organisation | Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Seconded to the Canada Centre for Regenerative Medicine working on cell manufacturing processing economics for in-house projects. Provided input using my cost of goods modelling expertise. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provided the case studies and information for the model. |
Impact | Technical report and a manuscript (under review) |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Industrial Placement at The Electrospinning Company |
Organisation | The Electrospinning Company |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Industrial placement at The Electrospinning Company (Oxford) exploring scaling-up procedures |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Industrial collaboration - nanoTherics |
Organisation | nanoTherics Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | I have tested the transfection (gene delivery) efficacy of a prototype device, loaned from nanoTherics Ltd. Various vectors, programs and neural cell transplant populations were tested. A report was produced for the company, and following clarification that the prototype device design is covered by patent, the data are being prepared for publication. |
Collaborator Contribution | Loan of prototype transfection device (motorised magnetic array designed to enhance magnetic nanoparticle-mediated gene delivery to cell transplant populations). Discussions and expertise on magnetics and biophysics, informing the design of experimental protocols. |
Impact | The possibility of a patent for the prototype device was explored, and it was decided that an existing patent owned by the company (nanoTherics Ltd) would cover the modifications in the prototype tested. Further device modifications have been discussed, and new prototypes designed, with a view to future collaborative testing in the host laboratory (Dr Divya Chari, Keele University). This project was multidisciplinary, involving: Tissue/genetic engineering (cell culture and transfection; Dr S Jenkins, Keele). Neuroscience (advice on neural cell transplantation populations/procedures; Dr S Jenkins, Dr D Chari, Keele). Molecular biology (optimisation of plasmid DNA preparations for transfection; Dr A Fernandes, Keele). Biophysics (interactions between magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic arrays, informing device operation; Prof J Dobson, University of Florida; C Jones, M Subramanian, nanoTherics). Materials chemistry (informing magnetic nanoparticle selection/design and protocols; Dr H Yiu, University of Edinburgh). |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Loughborough - University of Birmingham partnership |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Department | Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Dr. Davies was invited to the University of Birmingham as an honorary visiting fellow by Professor Liam Grover at the School of Chemical Engineering. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners provide in kind funding and unlimited access to research facilities. |
Impact | Continued collaboration and research outputs with Prof. Liam Grover Further collaborations initiated with junior lecturer, Dr. Sophie Cox and Royal Society of Engineering Fellow, Dr. Pola Oppenheimer. MRC Confidence in Concept research grant for pre-translation of Dr. Davies' EPSRC E-TERM project - £75,000 Finalist at the Enterprising Birmingham Innovation 'most innovative idea' award - final pitch to take place on March 29th 2017 |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | MIT ETERM collaboration |
Organisation | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have developed the research proposal. We will contribute scientific understanding of the biomaterial interface with clinically relevant cell types. The collaboration strengthens an existing partnership between University of Nottingham and MIT. |
Collaborator Contribution | MIT have hosted Asha within their lab, with access to equipment and mentorship. The close collaboration will immerse her in the culture that has made MIT one of the best institutions for translational research. The collaboration will hopefully create a bridge for continued research opportunities beyond my project. |
Impact | Two published journal papers (Biomaterials 2015, COSSMS review 2016). One patent application filed (Nottingham, Sept. 2014). |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Nottingham-MIT Delcassian Collaboration |
Organisation | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Immunmodulatory materials for controlled release of pharmaceuticals have been made by Derfogail Delcassian at Nottingham. |
Collaborator Contribution | Materials fabricated by Nottingham are being studied in vivo in appropriate diabetes mouse models. |
Impact | This is a multidisciplinary award, focusing on immunology, engineeing, biomaterials fabrication and characterisation, chemistry. It is too early to describe outcomes. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Nottingham-MIT Delcassian Collaboration |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Immunmodulatory materials for controlled release of pharmaceuticals have been made by Derfogail Delcassian at Nottingham. |
Collaborator Contribution | Materials fabricated by Nottingham are being studied in vivo in appropriate diabetes mouse models. |
Impact | This is a multidisciplinary award, focusing on immunology, engineeing, biomaterials fabrication and characterisation, chemistry. It is too early to describe outcomes. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Nottingham-MIT-Boston Children's Hospital- Harvard Medical School- Delcassian JDRF secondment |
Organisation | Boston Children's Hospital |
Country | United States |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | Dr. Delcassian has taken a 12 month secondment during her E-TERM Fellowship, from March 2017-March 2018, to undertake a new position with Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. This role sees her leading a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation grant and project in the labs of Prof. Dan Anderson and Prof. Bob Langer, and involves co-managing a team of 10 researchers and technicians working on encapsulated cell therapies for Diabetes-1. The work closely aligns with her own research interests to direct immune behaviour in transplant therapies, and is in collaboration with a number of leading Diabetes research groups. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Delcassian has taken a 12 month secondment during her E-TERM Fellowship, from March 2017-March 2018, to undertake a new position with Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. This role sees her leading a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation grant and project in the labs of Prof. Dan Anderson and Prof. Bob Langer, and involves co-managing a team of 10 researchers and technicians working on encapsulated cell therapies for Diabetes-1. The work closely aligns with her own research interests to direct immune behaviour in transplant therapies, and is in collaboration with a number of leading Diabetes research groups. |
Impact | This collaboration has just initiated, expected outputs include publications. This project is multidisicplinary, using chemistry, biology, transplant surgery and diabetes related in vivo models . |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Nottingham-MIT-Boston Children's Hospital- Harvard Medical School- Delcassian JDRF secondment |
Organisation | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Department | Koch Institute |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Dr. Delcassian has taken a 12 month secondment during her E-TERM Fellowship, from March 2017-March 2018, to undertake a new position with Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. This role sees her leading a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation grant and project in the labs of Prof. Dan Anderson and Prof. Bob Langer, and involves co-managing a team of 10 researchers and technicians working on encapsulated cell therapies for Diabetes-1. The work closely aligns with her own research interests to direct immune behaviour in transplant therapies, and is in collaboration with a number of leading Diabetes research groups. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr. Delcassian has taken a 12 month secondment during her E-TERM Fellowship, from March 2017-March 2018, to undertake a new position with Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. This role sees her leading a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation grant and project in the labs of Prof. Dan Anderson and Prof. Bob Langer, and involves co-managing a team of 10 researchers and technicians working on encapsulated cell therapies for Diabetes-1. The work closely aligns with her own research interests to direct immune behaviour in transplant therapies, and is in collaboration with a number of leading Diabetes research groups. |
Impact | This collaboration has just initiated, expected outputs include publications. This project is multidisicplinary, using chemistry, biology, transplant surgery and diabetes related in vivo models . |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Short Placement at Ebers Bioreactors |
Organisation | Ebers Bioreactors |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Short placement at Ebers Bioreactors in Zaragoza (Spain) exploring the use of new bioreactor technology |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | UKRMP Delcassian Immuno-Acellular Hub to Hub Collaboration |
Organisation | UKRMP Acellular Hub and UKRMP Immunomodulation Hub (Delcassian) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Derfogail Delcassian (E-TERM at Nottingham/UKRMP Acellular Hub) fabricates immunomodulatory biomaterials in controlled release matricies for testing with KCL/UKRMP Immunmodulatory Hub. |
Collaborator Contribution | The KCL/UKRMP Immunomodulatory Hub (led by Raul Elgueta/Giovanni Lombardi) test materials in mouse models (ie. skin graft) attempting to prolong graft survival. |
Impact | This collaboration is mutlidisciplinary, including engineering of immunomodulatory materials (Nottingham) and biological testing of immunomodulatory materials in mouse models (Kings College London). It is too early for outputs/outcomes. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | University of Nottingham Nanosensors Project |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Worked on manufacturing of nanosensors and imaging. Wrote manuscript and presented at conferences. |
Collaborator Contribution | Worked on manufacturing of nanosensors and imaging. Wrote manuscript and presented at conferences. |
Impact | three conference abstracts and two publications so far. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Visit to The University of Keele |
Organisation | Keele University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Short Visit at The University of keele for exploring the use of a Hydrostatic Bioreactor |
Start Year | 2013 |
Title | COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR BONE PRODUCTION |
Description | The present invention relates to extracellular vesicles derived from osteoblasts or osteoblast-like cells, and in particular to their use in promoting bone growth and repair. |
IP Reference | WO2018115871 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Significant media attention. Interaction with commercial sector. Invited presentation at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult. |
Title | Composition and method for bone regeneration |
Description | A novel biological therapy for hard tissue regeneration with osteoblasts, or osteoblast-like cells, instructed to produce osteogenesis-enhancing extracellular vesicles (EVs) comprising a heterogeneous cargo of biological factors, which can subsequently be isolated and therapeutically administered. Benefits of the technology • Enhanced mineral formation rate, quantity, and quality beyond that of the current clinical gold standard, BMP2. • No risk of phenotypic conversion or teratogenicity upon implantation. • EV production can be scaled up (unlike autograft). • EVs present a more holistic biological approach when compared with the current application of hyper-concentrated growth factors (e.g. BMPs). • EVs are not subject to the same ethical considerations or government regulations as cell-based therapies. |
IP Reference | ZSR-1016 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2017 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | The award of an MRC Confidence in Concept grant for pre-translational work. |
Description | ATREUM 2017 Conference |
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 | A TERM-focused Early Career Researcher (ECR) conference and workshop, engaging researchers with policy makers, funders, and regulators to set the future scientific direction of UK TERM research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Cancer Mini Golf |
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 | Working with a team at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, we designed a mini golf course where each hole represented new discoveries in cancer research. Members of the general public played mini-golf to learn about recent research and development in detection techniques and therapies for various types of cancer. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Coffee and Careers Seminars |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A monthly seminar for Postgraduate Researchers, Post-Docs and Technical Staff in the Department of Biology, University of York. Each month a careers talk is given by an individual with a PhD (usually Alumni) about their career path to date with advice to participants on how to enter this career. Participants comment on their understanding of future career paths and how to get into them. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015,2016 |
Description | Community Outreach and Open Days |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Biotechnology students from European Universities came to visit MIT and discuss entrepreneurship. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Conference - EuroCell Meeting |
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 | Eurocell Meeting - 2nd International Technical Meeting - Processing Challenges in ACI |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Conference - Mercia Stem Cell Alliance |
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 | Mercia Stem Cell Alliance Annual Meeting |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Conference - Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine |
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 | Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine - Oswestry Seminar |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | E-TERM Translating hMSCs into Therapies Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The workshop, organised by E-TERM Fellow Qasim Rafiq, had over 50 delegates from the UK, EU and US and generated significant discussion around the issues pertaining to translation of human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) therapies, highlighting not only the fundamental biology, but also the technical, commercial and clinical challenges. The intention from the outset was to make this workshop discursive where the format was such that following two keynote talks by eminent academics and industrialists, hour-long interactive sessions would ensue providing an opportunity for all delegates to engage, question and discuss topics relevant to them and the issues at hand. 6 keynote talks were organised focusing on the biological, manufacturing, commercialisation and clinical challenges and keynote speakers included Dr Robert Deans (Exec VP Athersys), Dr Brian Hampson (VP PCT), Dr Natalie Mount (Chief Clinical Officer, Cell Therapy Catapult), Dr Karen English (NUI Maynooth), Prof. Frank Barry (NUI Galway) and Prof. David Williams (Loughborough University). Discussions and topics that would never normally have arisen in a traditional conference setting were explored in some depth with potentially significant outputs. During the course of a discussion on serum-free medium, a key outcome was the development of an academic consortium to arrange the bulk purchase of SFM for academic groups at reduced rates |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.epsrc-regen-med.org/news/review-of-the-recent-translating-mscs-into-therapies-workshop/ |
Description | ETERM Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine OUTREACH workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 2x 1hr outreach session to lower 6th form students (age 16) at Brine Leas, Nantwich. 2x 1hr Tissue Engineering and Outreach sessions delivered to 11 and 14 A-level (age 16) students respectively. Included introduction of "Tissue engineer" terminology that tied in with the Key Stage 5 National Curriculum. Covered stem cells, what they they are capable of and what we are currently able to do with them. Included multiple interactive/debate sessions when covering the ethics of using stem cells. Pupils enthused about science education. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Engagement Activity - Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Team led by Kevin Shakesheff designed and delivered the Biology Builders exhibition during the week-long summer science exhibition. Engagement of school age learners from across the UK. Engagement of VIPs during evening soiree, including scientific TV personalities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://www.epsrc-regen-med.org/biologybuilders/ |
Description | Laboratory Insight Day - Patient and Public Involvement - University of York |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | The Genever research group held their first Patient Involvement Day, our "Laboratory Insight Day", on August 23rd, 2018. The day consisted of snapshots of the researchers working in the lab, followed by tours of our facilities, informal chats about what we do, how we do it, and what we plan on doing, and round table discussions about our research priorities directions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.geneverlab.info/single-post/2018/08/29/First-Patient-Involvement-Day |
Description | MIT, Harvard and Sloan Business School Biomedical Entrepreneurship program (Delcassian) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | Dr. Delcassian was selected for the MIT, Harvard and Sloan Business School Biomedical Entrepreneurship Program to engage with start ups, industry leaders and commercial investors to evaluate routes to translation in the US biomedical sector. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Network event with British Consulate Boston |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | UK and Boston based scientists networking event hosted by the British Consulate Boston and funded by EPSRC. Event highlighted translational research being undertaken by the ETERM fellows and brought together local Biotech in Boston to showcase the entrepreneurial environment and highly translational research. CSO of Sigilon, CEO of SuonoBio participated in a panel discussion with Prof David Williams. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | New technique may help damaged eyes regain their sight |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Press release describing progress to date of one of the techniques used in this grant. Public awareness of this research increased. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Pint of Science Outreach Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Each venue in York attracted 30-40 members of the public. In total over the 3 evenings and 4 streams there were over 300 attendees. The festival informed the public about the research that is being undertaken at the University of York and promoted discussions in an informal and relaxed environment. On a local scale in York the event received high press coverage in the form of numerous radio interviews and newspaper articles. Attendees highly praised the events and requested future events of this nature, covering a wider range of research activities. Pint of Science was used as a case study in the successful bid from the University of York to host the international researchers night in 2014 and 2015. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
URL | http://www.pintofscience.com/ |
Description | Schools Talk - Ashton Sixth Form College - Studying a Year in Industry at Univeristy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Three presentations were delivered to Sixth form students at Aston Sixth Form college on Year in industry programmes whilst at University. The talks also focused on Careers in STEM and my own personal experience of gaining industrial experience. The talk sparked questions from students who had not previously thought about a year in industry during a degree. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Schools Visit - St Peter's School Stargazing Live |
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 | An interactive exhibition on Stem Cells and the research into their use in regenerative medicine to reduce the number of total joint replacements. We spoke to pupils engaging them in biological research and to the general public, to explain the hope v's hype of stem cell treatments. We were invited to exhibit after being seen at YorNight and have been asked to help with future events to strengthen the relationship between the school and Biology at the University of York. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.stpetersyork.org.uk/st_peters/news_calendar/news/1672_stargazing_live_2016 |
Description | Science in Parliament (Delcassian, Westminster, Department of Health) |
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 | Dr. Delcassian was selected to represent scientists in Parliament, and worked with Director of Research at the Department of Health to identify challenges to UK research translation. Part of the Royal Society Science in Parliament scheme. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | The Sheffield Children Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interactive stand for children and parents. Visitors expressed interest in science and research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | US Cell Therapy Site Visits |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | E-TERM Fellow Qasim Rafiq (QR) led a group of 3 PhD students to visit 3 different companies (PCT, Celgene and Irvine Scientific), and incorporated 4 different sites (2 PCT sites, in Mountain View and Allendale). At each company, QR presented an overview of the cell therapy work conducted at Loughborough and more specifically by QR. Specific outcomes have included: PCT funding a CDT Regenerative Medicine (Loughborough) studentship on T-cell therapies PCT hiring a CDT Regenerative Medicine graduate A signed MOU with Irvine Scientific and significantly reduced rates for Irvine's serum-free medium. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | YorNight Exhibition - 'A joint Endeavour' |
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 | Interactive exhibition stand as part of European Researchers Night event YorNight. The event was held at various venues across the city, with an estimated attendance of 6000. Our exhibition was a collaboration between the Genever research group at the University of York and Sarah Bates a Graphic Designer studying an MA at Leeds School of Art. Sarah presented large data sets visually through posters and videos. The event as a whole raised the awareness of women in science and the importance of the research York scientists perform. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://yornight.com/2015/ |