Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Confidence in Concept 2013
Lead Research Organisation:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The Confidence in Concept scheme is a key part of MRC’s translational research strategy and provides annual awards to institutions, to be used flexibly to support the earliest stages of multiple translational research projects. The award can be used by the institution to support a number of preliminary-stage translational projects. The projects supported should aim to provide sufficient preliminary data to establish the viability of an approach –– before seeking more substantive funding. It is intended to accelerate the transition from discovery research to translational development projects by supporting preliminary work or feasibility studies to establish the viability of an approach.
Organisations
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (Lead Research Organisation)
- Elisha Systems Ltd (Collaboration)
- University of Copenhagen (Collaboration)
- QuantuMDx Group Ltd. (Collaboration)
- Eisai Ltd (Collaboration)
- Avacta Group (Collaboration)
- Godrej Consumer Products Limited (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- Janssen Research & Development (Collaboration)
- Biomedical Primate Research Centre (Collaboration)
- Epistem (Collaboration)
- Blueberry Therapeutics (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
Publications
Charoensutthivarakul S
(2015)
2-Pyridylquinolone antimalarials with improved antimalarial activity and physicochemical properties
in MedChemComm
Ismail HM
(2016)
A Click Chemistry-Based Proteomic Approach Reveals that 1,2,4-Trioxolane and Artemisinin Antimalarials Share a Common Protein Alkylation Profile.
in Angewandte Chemie (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
Ismail HM
(2016)
A Click Chemistry-Based Proteomic Approach Reveals that 1,2,4-Trioxolane and Artemisinin Antimalarials Share a Common Protein Alkylation Profile.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Jones J
(2021)
A minimal 3D model of mosquito flight behaviour around the human baited bed net.
in Malaria journal
Angarita-Jaimes NC
(2016)
A novel video-tracking system to quantify the behaviour of nocturnal mosquitoes attacking human hosts in the field.
in Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
O'Neill PM
(2015)
A Quinoline Carboxamide Antimalarial Drug Candidate Uniquely Targets Plasmodia at Three Stages of the Parasite Life Cycle.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Sahota AS
(2016)
A simple breath test for tuberculosis using ion mobility: A pilot study.
in Tuberculosis (Edinburgh, Scotland)
O'Neill PM
(2017)
A tetraoxane-based antimalarial drug candidate that overcomes PfK13-C580Y dependent artemisinin resistance.
in Nature communications
Ullah I
(2017)
A validated bioluminescence-based assay for the rapid determination of the initial rate of kill for discovery antimalarials.
in The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy
| Description | Consultant advisor to the WHO Pre-Qualification Team (PQT) Vector Control |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| URL | https://www.who.int/pq-vector-control/about/en/ |
| Description | EVI European Vaccine Workshop |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26431986 |
| Description | Invited member of the Expert Scientific Advisory Committee (ESAC) for the "USAID Grand Challenge for prevention of Zika and Future Threats" |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| URL | https://www.usaid.gov/grandchallenges/zika |
| Description | Macrofilaricide Drug Accelerator (MacDA) 2015 to date |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Description | • UK management committee member for COST Action CM1307, 'Targeted chemotherapy towards diseases caused by endoparasites" - 2014- to date |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| URL | http://www.costcm1307.org/CM1307/Home.html |
| Description | African Research Excellenz Fellowship |
| Amount | £36,732 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Department | Medical Research Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 11/2018 |
| Description | BMGF |
| Amount | $3,491,050 (USD) |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 03/2016 |
| End | 12/2017 |
| Description | Departmental PhD studentship for Rik van der Veen, Nuffield Dept. of Medicine, University of Oxford |
| Amount | £95,430 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2018 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | Departmental PhD studentship for Romain Guyon, Nuffield Dept. of Medicine, University of Oxford |
| Amount | £95,430 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2018 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | Developing entomological indicators to assess the public health value of next generation LLINs |
| Amount | $3,884,815 (USD) |
| Funding ID | OPP120015 |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 02/2019 |
| End | 07/2022 |
| Description | Diagnostic tools for poverty-related diseases |
| Amount | € 1,415,000 (EUR) |
| Organisation | Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) |
| Department | European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Start | 03/2016 |
| End | 02/2019 |
| Description | Fundação para o Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico em Saúde (FIOTEC) |
| Amount | $430,097 (USD) |
| Organisation | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 05/2017 |
| End | 05/2018 |
| Description | GCRF Growing Research Capability |
| Amount | £6,467,378 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Research Councils UK (RCUK) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2017 |
| End | 04/2021 |
| Description | Industrial funding from QuantuMDx Group Ltd |
| Amount | £101,364 (GBP) |
| Organisation | QuantuMDx Group Ltd. |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Innovate UK |
| Amount | £635,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Invited grant proposal |
| Amount | $2,000,045 (USD) |
| Funding ID | OPP1159078 |
| Organisation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 01/2017 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | MRC |
| Amount | £500,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Department | MRC Confidence in Concept Scheme |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2015 |
| End | 08/2016 |
| Description | MRC CASE studentship |
| Amount | £104,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2016 |
| End | 01/2020 |
| Description | MRC CiC Oxford Fund |
| Amount | £51,813 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Department | MRC Human Nutrition Research Group |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2017 |
| End | 10/2017 |
| Description | Pathfinder Award |
| Amount | £98,932 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 109744/Z/15/Z |
| Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2016 |
| End | 10/2018 |
| Description | Project Grant |
| Amount | £18,471 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | A1955 |
| Organisation | Rosetrees Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 02/2019 |
| Description | St George's Impact & Innovation Award |
| Amount | £15,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | St George's University of London |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) |
| Amount | £47,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department of Health (DH) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| End | 12/2020 |
| Description | Wellcome Trust Collaborative Award |
| Amount | £2,474,741 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2016 |
| End | 06/2019 |
| Title | Amplification of antigen-specific memory B cells |
| Description | Activation and amplification of antigen-specific memory B cells through in vitro culture of memory B cells, autologous T cells and antigen followed by single cell sorting of activated B cells |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The method is useful when the number of memory B cells specific for a given antigens is low for instance when the volumne of blood available from a volunteer is small or infection occurred several years ago. |
| Title | Behavioural bioassays for evaluating insecticide treated bednet efficacy against mosquito populations. |
| Description | "Video Cone" "VICTA" and "Baited box" tests A set of bench top mosquito behavioural assays to measure efficacy of insecticide-treated bednets or (potentially) to measure resistance in wild populations of vectors. The rationale and protocols for the tests arise directly from knowledge obtained in this research. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Not yet. The first test, Video Cone test, has been submitted and the next two are in preparation for publication in the coming year. In due course, we hope the tests will be adopted by WHO Pre qualification as an appropriate method of evaluation for inclusion in a portfolio of evidence attesting to a product's suitability. |
| Title | DDT-Adhiron |
| Description | DDT binding adhirons developed that can be used to track DDT. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Still in early phase IP protection |
| Title | DDT-Hapten |
| Description | DDT-hapten; new biotinylated DDT engineered for biopanning |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Used to isolate DDt-Adhirons, diagnostic for DDT detection in development |
| Title | Recombinant human monoclonal antibodies against the DBLbeta domain of PfEMP1 |
| Description | To date, we generated 6 recombinant monoclonal antibodies recognizing at least 2 different variants of the DBLbeta domain of PfEMP1, which mediates adhesion of P. falciparum infected erythrocytes to ICAM-1. Three of these recombinant antibodies react with at least four different DBLbeta variants and can be considered cross-reactive. Importantly, these antibodies react with the native protein expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes by flow cytometry and in agglutination assays. |
| Type Of Material | Antibody |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The characterisation of recombinant monoclonal antibodies is still in early stages. If one or more of these antibodies reverse adhesion of infected erythrocytes to ICAM-1, their use as an adjunct therapy for severe malaria can be investigated. In addition, both variant-specific and variant-transcending antibodies will be useful tools for other researchers who investigate the biology of or the pathology mediated by expression of PfEMP1 on infected erythrocytes. |
| Title | Staining of antigen-specific B cells using biotinylated tetramers |
| Description | We developed DBLb and CIDRa1 tetrameric probes to allow the isolation of antigen-specific memory B cells |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The method is more specific for the isolation of antigen-specific memory B cells and reduced time and cost required for screening |
| Title | The evaluation of new antigens for subunit vaccines against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. |
| Description | The research aims to test the hypothesis that candidate antigens predicted in a previously published reverse vaccinology (RV) approach (Bowman et al., 2011) will exhibit sufficient antigenicity for incorporation into subunit vaccines for Mtb. Additional bioinformatics analyses such as predicted expression and analysis of transmembrane domains were performed in order to generate a short-list of 6 candidate genes which were formulated as DNA vaccines. This was achieved using the Invitrogen Gateway cloning system to insert the genes into a modified pVAX plasmid. After confirmation that the sequence was correct, the plasmids underwent amplification, purification and transfection studies were carried out which proved that the proteins were expressed in eukaryotic (hamster) cell lines. Further quality control checks were also completed (i.e. restriction digests) which confirmed the correct, complete desired sequences had been inserted into the DNA vaccine constructs. The DNA vaccine solutions were then diluted to the appropriate concentration for mouse experiments to evaluate the protective efficacy of the vaccines against Mtb challenge. The first challenge experiment has been completed and compared 6 plasmid DNA vaccines with a BCG vaccinated control group and an untreated group (n=8 per group). Protection was determined by the ability to reduce the number of viable bacteria in the lungs and spleens of animals, measured at 4 weeks post- aerosol challenge with M. tuberculosis. Two of the candidates showed efficacy by reducing the bacterial counts in the lungs compared to the un-vaccinated controls. A repeat study on up to 3 candidates which show protection was initiated in January 2016 for completion in April 2016. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | If the methodology is successful at predicting efficacious vaccine candidates for Mycobacterium tuberculosis the impact will be a research tool which will improve the ability to identify novel vaccine candidates for TB disease and for other important bacterial pathogens. Specifically the TB vaccine candidates identified in this award could be incorporated into suitable delivery systems for further development towards an improved vaccine for TB. |
| Title | Data from: Barrier bednets target malaria vectors and expand the range of usable insecticides |
| Description | Transmission of Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites occurs when nocturnal Anopheles mosquito vectors feed on human blood. In Africa, where malaria burden is greatest, bednets treated with pyrethroid insecticide were highly effective in preventing mosquito bites and reducing transmission, and essential to achieving unprecedented reductions in malaria until 2015. Since then, progress has stalled and with insecticidal bednets losing efficacy against pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles vectors, methods that restore performance are urgently needed to eliminate any risk of malaria returning to the levels seen prior to their widespread use throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Here we show that the primary malaria vector Anopheles gambiae is targeted and killed by small insecticidal net barriers positioned above a standard bednet, in a spatial region of high mosquito activity but zero contact with sleepers, opening the way for deploying many more insecticides on bednets than currently possible. Tested against wild pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae in Burkina Faso, pyrethroid bednets with organophosphate barriers achieved significantly higher killing rates than bednets alone. Treated barriers on untreated bednets were equally effective, without significant loss of personal protection. Mathematical modelling of transmission dynamics predicted reductions in clinical malaria incidence with barrier bednets that exceeded those of 'next-generation' nets recommended by WHO against resistant vectors. Mathematical models of mosquito-barrier interactions identified alternative barrier designs to increase performance. Barrier bednets that overcome insecticide resistance are feasible using existing insecticides and production technology, and early implementation of affordable vector control tools is a realistic prospect. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Title | OptiMal-PK: an internet-based, user-friendly interface for the mathematical-based design of optimized anti-malarial treatment regimens |
| Description | Background The search for highly effective anti-malarial therapies has gathered pace and recent years have seen a number of promising single and combined therapies reach the late stages of development. A key drug development challenge is the need for early assessment of the clinical utility of new drug leads as it is often unclear for developers whether efforts should be focused on efficacy or metabolic stability/exposure or indeed whether the continuation of iterative QSAR (quantitative structure-activity and relationships) cycles of medicinal chemistry and biological testing will translate to improved clinical efficacy. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD)-based measurements available from in vitro studies can be used for such clinical predictions. However, these predictions often require bespoke mathematical PK/PD modelling expertise and are normally performed after candidate development and, therefore, not during the pre-clinical development phase when such decisions need to be made. Methods An internet-based tool has been developed using STELLA® software. The tool simulates multiple differential equations that describe anti-malarial PK/PD relationships where the user can easily input PK/PD parameters. The tool utilizes a simple stop-light system to indicate the efficacy of each combination of parameters. This tool, called OptiMal-PK, additionally allows for the investigation of the effect of drug combinations with known or custom compounds. Results The results of simulations obtained from OptiMal-PK were compared to a previously published and validated mathematical model on which this tool is based. The tool has also been used to simulate the PK/PD relationship for a number of existing anti-malarial drugs in single or combined treatment. Simulations were predictive of the published clinical parasitological clearance activities for these existing therapies. Conclusions OptiMal-PK is designed to be implemented by medicinal chemists and pharmacologists during the pre-clinical anti-malarial drug development phase to explore the impact of different PK/PD parameters upon the predicted clinical activity of any new compound. It can help investigators to identify which pharmacological features of a compound are most important to the clinical performance of a new chemical entity and how partner drugs could potentially improve the activity of existing therapies. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The software has been used by a number of users for both teaching and research purposes. The use of the model has lowered the number of animal experiments in my laboratory but it is difficult to estimate how many in vivo experiments it has reduced externally. We are currently working to promote the on-line tool. |
| URL | http://optimalpk.lstmed.ac.uk |
| Title | Syngenta antimalarial hits |
| Description | Ongoing Syngenta chemical library being assessed for in vitro anti malarial activity |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Will generate starting points for drug discovery programmes |
| Title | Test performance profiles for chikungunya |
| Description | We prepared dengue and chikungunya Test Performance Profiles (TPP) and share them with the Partnership for Dengue Control. Please notice there is no option to classify TPPs. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Discussion of the TPPs for chikungunya and Zika viruses. |
| URL | http://www.controldengue.org/ |
| Title | limits of detection of the Genedrive tuberculosis cartridge |
| Description | We evaluated the limits of detection of the Genedrive tuberculosis cartridge and reported back to the SME Epistem. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2014 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This led to epistem changing the design of the cartridge to process a higher volume of sputum to increase the number of bacilli identified. A new cartridge is being evaluated in LSTM. |
| Title | prospective evaluations of novel RT-PCR assays for the diagnosis of dengue and chikungunya |
| Description | We have conducted prospective evaluations of novel RT-PCR assays for the diagnosis of dengue and chikungunya in Ecuador, Guatemala and Brazil. The new assays were compared to the reference standard in the national surveillance laboratories (the CDC assays for these viruses). |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | We are currently conducting sequencing of selected samples to confirm our findings. Pending final confirmation, the assays developed (by LSTM in collaboration with Qiagen) are as sensitive and specific as the reference standard |
| Title | safety assessment of the new Genedrive tuberculosis cartridge and reported back to the SME Epistem |
| Description | The cartridge safety standards were reviewed, which led to a review of procedures and enhancement of the bio-safety of the cartridge. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | We are currently conducting a new safety evaluation of the cartridge |
| Title | variable immunoglobulin gene region |
| Description | Sequences of variable region of immunoglobulin genes from individuals living in malaria endemic areas. Enriched for variable immunoglobulin region specific for PfEMP1. Further V(D)J gene regions have been added |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The data once deposited into a publicly available database will allow comparison with sequences specific for other antigens |
| Description | Avacta |
| Organisation | Avacta Group |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Contacts made following Adhiron CiC project and meeting held in Leeds for networking Adhiron technology. Avacta have interests in venoms,thus connections made with Dr Harrison and Venom Research Unit to develop reserach project |
| Collaborator Contribution | Avacta are preparing MOU and in IP nergotiations to prepare the ground for funding of a venom reserach project |
| Impact | Confidentiality agreement |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Characterisation of antibody epitopes on CIDRa1 domains |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | My team identified recombinant monoclonal antibodies that cross-react with CIDRa1 domains of PfEMP1, associated with severe malarial disease. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The collaborating team are undertaking structural analysis of the antibody binding sites on PfEMP1 |
| Impact | The collaboration resulted in a joint grant application which was not successful. We are now looking at other funding opportunities while generating prelimminary data. Update March 2021: The antibodies bind to recombinant CIDR but not EPCR-binding PfEMP! expressed on infected erythrocytes. The collaboration has ceased. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Collaboration with Epistem for the development of a prototype HIV/TB integrated cartridge |
| Organisation | Epistem |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | After review of the literature and identification of international databases, LSTM conducted a target selection for HIV amplification and the design of prototype reagents. Set up of HIV culture at LSTM including HIV-1 and HIV-2. 'Wet reagents' for prototype primers will be tested on cultured samples of HIV from both HIV-1 and HIV-2. Limits of Detection will be calculated. Specificity of primer sets will be assessed by testing samples of Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza in sputum and hepatitis B and Epson Barr Virus in blood. Pilot collection of clinical samples from Zankli Medical Centre, Nigeria. Pilot samples will be collected from HIV and TB suspects. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Primers and probes will be designed on a high copy number gene target in collaboration with Epistem's team in Manchester. Conduct testing of Epistem's integrated cartridge on TB isolates in Cat 3 facilities. Including biosafety evaluation of specimen handling and Limit of Detection testing. |
| Impact | The output of this project is the joint development of a prototype HIV/TB integrated cartridge in order that funding from other donors can be leveraged for continued product development and evaluation. This would include the quantification of viral load, and further investigation into TB drug resistance markers (isoniazid). LSTM gained major experience with diagnostic development, HIV culturing and long term collaboration with Epistem, including matched funding for the project. Further we aimed to collaborate with our industrial partner Epistem to test sensitivity, specificity, biosafety and development studies in Nigeria of the Mark I cartridge in development. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Collaborators on the 'TB subunit vaccines' project |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Jenner Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Public Health England at Porton Down were responsible for amplification of desired vaccine candidates and generating the DNA vaccines. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Southampton collaborators devised the Reverse Vaccinology approach which led to the selection of the truly novel vaccine candidates for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Jenner Institute, Oxford University undertook the animal challenge assays to test the efficacy of the DNA vaccines. |
| Impact | Applications for follow-on funding have been made - these were not successful but future funding will be sought. Presentations of the research so far have been made. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary in the fields of bioinformatics, pre-clinical vaccinology and clinical TB vaccine research. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Collaborators on the 'TB subunit vaccines' project |
| Organisation | University of Southampton |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Public Health England at Porton Down were responsible for amplification of desired vaccine candidates and generating the DNA vaccines. |
| Collaborator Contribution | University of Southampton collaborators devised the Reverse Vaccinology approach which led to the selection of the truly novel vaccine candidates for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Jenner Institute, Oxford University undertook the animal challenge assays to test the efficacy of the DNA vaccines. |
| Impact | Applications for follow-on funding have been made - these were not successful but future funding will be sought. Presentations of the research so far have been made. The collaboration is multi-disciplinary in the fields of bioinformatics, pre-clinical vaccinology and clinical TB vaccine research. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Drug Discovery Project to develop combination partners targeting the respiratory chain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis |
| Organisation | Janssen Research & Development |
| Country | Global |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Novel strategy to improve the efficacy of bedaquiline and NCE |
| Collaborator Contribution | Janssen have provided Materials e.g. bedaquiline. Discussions are taking place for a formal partnership and funding by Janssen of project as well as exclusive licensing of LSTM IP to Janssen. |
| Impact | No outputs as yet |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | E209 - New Antimalarial Drug |
| Organisation | Eisai Ltd |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Invention of the lead molecule and carrying out of initial biology of a new antimalarial drug. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Formal preclinical evaluation |
| Impact | None as yet |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | ELISHA |
| Organisation | Elisha Systems Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Developed from Adhiron MRC CiC networking meeting in Leeds. Collaborated in preparing MRC and BBSRC GCRF applications for IQK development. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contntributed technical input for joint funding applications |
| Impact | Preproposals submitted to BBSRC and MRC GCRF 2016 funding call. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Generation of human monoclonal antibodies against malarial antigens |
| Organisation | Biomedical Primate Research Centre |
| Department | Department of Parasitology |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of recombinant human monoclonal antibodies specific for domains of PfEMP1 |
| Collaborator Contribution | Support in the analysis of adhesion blocking and reversing properties of recombinant human monoclonal antibodies |
| Impact | Antibodies were not functional in revesing binding of EPCR to infected erythrocytes expressing EPCR-binding PfEMP1. The work was not taken forward. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Generation of human monoclonal antibodies against malarial antigens |
| Organisation | University of Oxford |
| Department | Jenner Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Exchange of techniques for the generation of recombinant monoclonal antibodies |
| Collaborator Contribution | Exchange of techniques for the generation of recombinant monoclonal antibodies |
| Impact | Generation of five recombinant monoclonal antibodies that cross-react with variants of the DBLb domain of PfEMP1. the work has been completed. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Generation of recombinant human monoclonal antibodies targetting the CIDRa1 domain of PfEMP1 |
| Organisation | University of Copenhagen |
| Department | Department of Immunology and Microbiology |
| Country | Denmark |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating on the identification of individuals with broadly cross-reactive antibodies against the CIDRa1 domain of PfEMP1, linked to the pathology of severe malaria. My team has established methods to isolate CIDRa1-specific memory B cells and after single cell sorting, clone and express recombinant monoclonal antibodies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Lavstsen team is testing the antibodies that we generated for binding to a wide range of CIDRa1 domains and inhibition of binding to EPCR. The antibodies bind to recombinant CIDR but not EPCR-binding PfEMP1 expressed on the surface of infected erythocytes. The work has not been taken forward. |
| Impact | To date the collaboration has resulted in joint grant applications. The collaboration resulted in collaborative visits between the two Institutions as well as training of UoC staff in techniques related to isolation of antigen-specific memory B cells at LSTM in 2018. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | India-UK Industry partnership |
| Organisation | Godrej Consumer Products Limited |
| Country | India |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Presented research and training opprtunities for LSTM-Godrej partnership in the vector control arena. Led to joint applications for MRC CiC award and signing of CDA to pursue technology development optiions |
| Collaborator Contribution | Godrej set up meetings in Mumbai for reserach and training discussions, and intriductions to senior management. |
| Impact | Outcome: 1. application for joint MRC CiC award in 2015 to develop resistance diagnostics 2. Visit planned by Director of LSTM to Godrej headquarters for high level discussions on LSTM-Godrej partnership options |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Novel antibiotic nano formulations |
| Organisation | Blueberry Therapeutics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Imaging and PK-PD platform to screen novel antibiotic formulations against Salmonella |
| Collaborator Contribution | nano-formulation expertise and materials |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | QuantuMDx |
| Organisation | QuantuMDx Group Ltd. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | LSHTM role was to provide parasite material for use in the QuantuMDx platform device. This involved generating inocula of known number to generate Proof of Principle data in the new technology (a point-of-care diagnostic platform for Leishmania). |
| Collaborator Contribution | QuantuMDx provided the novel platform and cartridges and the SOPs used previously for other indications. |
| Impact | QuantuMDx was to be mostly involved in the last phase of the project when the prototype cartridges had been produced. At the time of project completion this was not ready for the Leishmania cartridge. However, we did evaluate a prototype DNA extraction kit developed by QuantumDx which would simplify the processing of samples. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Title | Combination Therapy |
| Description | Novel design of Combination Therapy for Tuberculosis drugs based on the inhibition of respiratory inhibitors. TheUK patent application has been submitted and the number is 1522232.6 The patent has been submitted and Janssen Pharmaceutica are interested in an exclusive licence - discussion are underway |
| IP Reference | GB1522232.6 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | The patent has been submitted and Janssen Pharmaceutica are interested in an exclusive licence |
| Title | MOSQUITO BED NET ASSEMBLY |
| Description | Mosquito bed net assembly 10a-h includes a mosquito bed net (12) impregnated with a first insecticide and a barrier member 16a-h located above an upper surface (14) of the bed net (12) and being impregnated with a second insecticide. In use, bed net assembly 16a-h increases the likelihood of delivering a lethal dosage of insecticide to mosquitoes flying in frequently-visited areas of a bed net, without increased attendant health risk to a user. |
| IP Reference | WO2015063455 |
| Protection | Patent granted |
| Year Protection Granted | 2015 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | None yet. Undergoing the first large scale trial in DRC later this year. |
| Description | Conference "Mosquito-borne viruses: can we build on commonalities to pre-empt the future?" the Wellcome Trust, London |
| 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 | Conference titled "Mosquito-borne viruses: can we build on commonalities to pre-empt the future?" on 5-7 October 2016, London. A joint WHO-Wellcome Trust three-day meeting on mosquito-borne viral diseases; I was a session chair and presenter. The Wellcome Trust hosted this WHO conference in London, UK on October 5th to 7th 2016. The meeting covered a variety of topics concerning mosquito born viruses, including vaccines, vector control, medicines and blood products, diagnostics, regulatory issues, and yellow fever. An executive summary is now available on request and an official synopsis of this meeting will be published in early 2017. Attendance by and conversations with DfID staff, are believed to have influenced the prioritising of Aedes-borne arboviral diseases in the 2017 subsequent funding call. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Discussion forum at the House of Commons |
| 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 | Dengue: falling between the cracks: a high-level roundtable discussion with Dods and Malaria Consortium, Hosted by Imran Hussain MP at the House of Commons, Wednesday 30th November 2016 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Institutional visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited Speaker at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig, Germany |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Institutional visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited Speaker at the University of Saarland, Saarbrucken, Germany |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invited Speaker at the "Closing the Global Health Divide through Partnership Driven Innovation Meeting" |
| 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 event represented a collective call for greater cross-border and cross-sector collaboration to ensure global preparedness for the inevitable resurgence of infectious diseases that disproportionally affect the poorest of the poor in developing countries. A series of presentations and interactive panels articulated the need for partnerships in global health and explored the challenges associated with R&D for infectious diseases. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, Malaria Seminar Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | 22nd Oct 2014, Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, Malaria Seminar Day. "Malaria: of mosquitoes and men". >100 pupuils from UTC attended a Malaria Seminar Day at U of Liverpool. There was keen interest in the topic with tweets and students following up with visits to the Vector Department to discuss posters and projects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | MRC Confidence in Concept (CiC) Tropical Infectious Disease Consortium Meeting |
| 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 | MRC Confidence in Concept (CiC) Tropical Infectious Disease Consortium meeting was held in Oxford on Wednesday 10th February 2016. Attendees included representatives from The MRC, Public Health England, SMEs and several academic Institutions accross the UK. Work on vaccine dose reduction was presented as one of "Showcase presentations" of projects funded by the MRC CiC scheme. Aims of the meeting were: - To showcase breadth and depth of projects, highlighting those that have already made significant progress/success - To discuss further opportunities for cross-institute collaborations - For the MRC to inform awardees and interested parties of pathways to further funding (e.g. DPFS/TSB etc) - Foster interaction with SMEs that may be interested in working in partnership with the Consortium to facilitate product funding/development |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.jenner.ac.uk/_asset/file/mrc-cic-tropical-infectious-disease-consortium-poster-10-feb-16-... |
| Description | Poster presentation by PhD student Hisham Alharbi |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Poster presentation of results at the 13th BioMalPar Conference in Heidelberg Germany. The presentation resulted in new collaborations with Matt Higgins, University of Oxford |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.embl.de/training/events/2017/BMP17-01/ |
| Description | Presentation |
| 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 | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation to Bill Gates (BMGF), George Osborne (Chancellor for the Exchequer, UK Gov), Justine Greening (DfID, UK), Industry heads and media reps, during institution visit to announce the £3billion Ross Fund. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Presentation at the IGH, UNITAID and WHO in Madrid |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation entitled "Improved vector control tools from vector behaviour studies" at Bringing innovation to the front line: new tools to advance the global response to vector-borne disease: Institute for Global Health, UnitAid and WHO, Madrid, Spain; 11-12th May 2017 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.isglobal.org/en/-/from-pipelines-to-frontlines-innovative-tools-to-advance-the-global-re... |
| Description | School Visit, Oxford |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Talk on Malaria, Ebola and Vaccines to 130 Year 6 pupils followed by questions afterwards. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Series of Rational Drug Discovery lectures (Undergraduate) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | To provide a better understanding how the students can translate their science / research activities to have more impact in terms of generating and developing products such as drugs, insecticides etc. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Series of rational drug discovery lectures (Post Graduate) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | To provide a better understanding how the students can translate their science / research activities to have mor eimpact in terms of generating and developing products such as drugs, insecticides etc. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Talk Rotary Club Heswall |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk given to Rotary club Members about the reasons behind repeated infection with malaria. Sparked debate and iterest and helped audience to understand why it is so difficult to eradicate the disease |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |