Edinburgh Medical Technology Acceleration to Exit EMTATE
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
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
- University of Edinburgh (Lead Research Organisation)
- BDD Pharma Ltd (Collaboration)
- Farmabios (Collaboration)
- Euroimmun (Collaboration)
- Diurnal Group (Collaboration)
- Benchmark Animal Health (Collaboration)
- Asymptote (Collaboration)
- Boyds (Collaboration)
- Endura Ltd (Collaboration)
- Metrohm (Collaboration)
- TheraKIND (Collaboration)
- AstraZeneca (Collaboration)
- DROIA nv (Collaboration)
- Cardiff University (Collaboration)
- Quay Pharma (Collaboration)
- NHS Scotland (Collaboration)
- WIDEBLUE LIMITED (Collaboration)
- Heriot-Watt University (Collaboration)
- Edinburgh Biosciences Ltd (Collaboration)
- OPTOS plc (Collaboration)
Publications
Azanan MS
(2020)
Retinal Vessel Analysis as a Novel Screening Tool to Identify Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivors at Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.
in Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology
Bhatia R
(2018)
Host chemokine signature as a biomarker for the detection of pre-cancerous cervical lesions.
in Oncotarget
Cameron J
(2017)
Lateral thinking - Interocular symmetry and asymmetry in neurovascular patterning, in health and disease
in Progress in Retinal and Eye Research
Canel M
(2017)
Nuclear FAK and Runx1 Cooperate to Regulate IGFBP3, Cell-Cycle Progression, and Tumor Growth.
in Cancer research
Cheng K
(2021)
Macular vessel density, branching complexity and foveal avascular zone size in normal tension glaucoma
in Scientific Reports
Csinicisk L
(2017)
Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
in Assessing retinal vascular biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease using ultra-wide imaging (UWFI)
Elfick A
(2017)
Biosynthesis of magnetic nanoparticles by human mesenchymal stem cells following transfection with the magnetotactic bacterial gene mms6.
in Scientific reports
Description | Biomedical Catalyst |
Amount | £660,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | CDT in Applied Photonics |
Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | CRUK (TEMo-SIGN) |
Amount | £2,000,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | C17950/A26783 |
Organisation | Cancer Research UK |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2018 |
End | 06/2023 |
Description | Convertible Loan |
Amount | £300,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Scottish Enterprise |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Delivering novel neuro retinal biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease |
Amount | £337,239 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RDAPB-201808-2016196 |
Organisation | Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United States |
Start | 07/2019 |
End | 05/2021 |
Description | Dutch Lung Foundation - IL-33 in Asthma CiC4 |
Amount | € 20,000,000 (EUR) |
Organisation | Long Fonds |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | Netherlands |
Start | 01/2018 |
End | 12/2019 |
Description | EPSRC - One size anti embolism stockings CIC4 |
Amount | £33,729 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EastBio CDT PhD studenship |
Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | East of Scotland BioScience (EastBio) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EuroImmun (CINck project CIC4) |
Amount | £96,144 (GBP) |
Organisation | Euroimmun |
Sector | Private |
Country | Germany |
Start | 08/2018 |
End | 06/2019 |
Description | High Growth Spin Out Scheme (MacGillivray) |
Amount | £239,370 (GBP) |
Organisation | Scottish Enterprise |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | High Growth Spin Out Scheme (MacGillivray) |
Amount | £176,400 (GBP) |
Organisation | Scottish Enterprise |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | High Growth Ventures Covid Pre-Seed Grant (McNeill) |
Amount | £46,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Scottish Enterprise |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Hypertension study (Vampire CIC4) |
Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Optos plc |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start |
Description | Innovation Initiative Grant - Anti embolism stocking |
Amount | £750 (GBP) |
Organisation | British Council |
Department | Global Innovation Initiative grant |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2017 |
End | 12/2017 |
Description | Institutional Translational Partnership Award iTPA (Corticosterone therapy) |
Amount | £19,440 (GBP) |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2018 |
End | 02/2019 |
Description | MRC CASE studentship (Vampire CIC4) |
Amount | £70,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | MRC Proximity to Discovery (CINck CIC4) |
Amount | £1,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2018 |
End | 07/2018 |
Description | MRC Proximity to Discovery (Vampire CIC4) |
Amount | £9,850 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2018 |
End | 10/2018 |
Description | New Investigator research grant: IL-33 severe allergic asthma |
Amount | £553,566 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2018 |
End | 07/2021 |
Description | Optos - Vampire App CiC4 |
Amount | £216,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Precision Medicine CDT (MacGillivray) |
Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | RSE - efinger CiC4 |
Amount | £47,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Scottish Enterprise High Growth - efinger CiC4 |
Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Scottish Enterprise |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2017 |
End | 12/2017 |
Description | Stratifying Risk of Visual Loss from Glaucoma |
Amount | £236,417 (GBP) |
Funding ID | TCS/22/21 |
Organisation | Chief Scientist Office |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2022 |
End | 09/2023 |
Description | TU/JBCT (efinger CIC4) |
Amount | £86,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Urology Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | The Urology Foundation - efinger CiC4 |
Amount | £58,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Urology Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Travel award (CINck CIC4) |
Amount | £2,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Microbiology Society |
Sector | Learned Society |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2017 |
End | 02/2017 |
Description | Urology Foundation supplement grant (McNeill) |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Urology Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | iCASE Precision Medicine CDT |
Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | iCURE - Anti embolism stocking CiC4 |
Amount | £35,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2018 |
End | 03/2018 |
Title | Developed assays (Vaccines CIC4) |
Description | As part of this project we have developed and established a suite of assays that can be applied to studies of vaccine/adjuvant candidates in cattle. This includes refined standard operating procedures that can be shared with other research teams. We have stored a biobank of material at The Roslin Institute that will enable us, in the future, to determine further the underlying mechanisms by which Cobalt nanoparticles provide adjuvant activity. This is a valuable resource which makes best use of animals funded through the CiC project taking into account the 3Rs principles. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | No impact to date. |
Title | Multiplex array-based assay (Rheumatoid Arthritis CIC4) |
Description | This study has resulted in the development of a multiplex array-based assay that allows for the detection of autoantibodies against a large number of specific peptide sequences in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient sera, using a relatively small amount of material. This assay can be adapted in order to test autoreactivity against further protein sequences containing the post-translational modification citrullination, or other protein modifications. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | No impact until IP protection has been completed and further funding secured. |
Title | Precise dectection of breast and endometrial cancer (TEMo-SIGN CIC4) |
Description | We developed a signature using machine learning that allows the detection of breast and endometrial cancer with a precision that is superior of current diagnostic techniques. Our method has the potential to be miniaturized to a chip level in order to be easily and rapidly used at clinical level; moreover we created a unique RNA-SEQ dataset of patients in cancer. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | No impact to date - looking at creating a spin out company and are in advanced discussions with a VC company. |
Title | Web App (Vampire CIC4) |
Description | The wider VAMPIRE project is a collaboration between the Universities of Edinburgh and Dundee and the Web App has been adopted as our primary means of analysing fundus camera images. VAMPIRE provides a platform from which to facilitate new studies/users including potential income generation to sustain and develop the Web App system as well for developing new technologies (i.e. new additional software for analysing images) and applying for our own grant funding. |
Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The Web App represents a crucial development for our group that will have significant impact on current and prospective activities. |
Description | Alan Boyd Consultants (Corticosterone project CIC4) |
Organisation | Boyds |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Formal agreement in place to work with Alan Boyd Consultants on Wellcome Trust iTPA |
Collaborator Contribution | Formal agreement in place to work with Alan Boyd Consultants on Wellcome Trust iTPA |
Impact | Award commenced Oct 2018 so no outcomes to report at this stage. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Benchmark Animal Health - novel adjuvant for improved vaccine delivery CIC4 |
Organisation | Benchmark Animal Health |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | CiC helped expand this ongoing partnership. |
Collaborator Contribution | Using data generated through the CiC project we have provided advice to them on suitable adjuvant/antigen combinations and concentrations enabling them to initiate further in-house studies. These will allow further translation studies assessing the novel adjuvant in aquaculture alongside our studies in ruminants, and previously in mice. none, the novel adjuvant already had a patent submitted prior to this study. As part of our ongoing collaboration with Benchmark Animal Health we are involved with patent applications in additional territories (Benchmark are providing funds to support these applications). |
Impact | no outputs to date |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Brian Walker |
Organisation | BDD Pharma Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Exploring partnership with BDD Pharma under MTA for a possible collaboration to develop a drug delivery approach to CAH treatment |
Collaborator Contribution | Exploring partnership with BDD Pharma under MTA for a possible collaboration to develop a drug delivery approach to CAH treatment |
Impact | Nothing to report as early stages of partnership |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | CiC 2014 (cryopreserved hESC) |
Organisation | Cardiff University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | New collaboration with Dr Mariah Lelos (Cardiff University). In December, 2015 we transported cryopreserved midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) precursors to Dr Lelos' lab for transplantation into immune-compromised rats. |
Collaborator Contribution | transplantation into immune-compromised rats |
Impact | This is a direct application of the know-how gained from this MRC CiC project. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | CiC2014 (tablet for AD diagnosis) |
Organisation | NHS Scotland |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Tablet AD for detection |
Collaborator Contribution | To further increase the rate of recruitment of patients with mild Alzheimer's disease |
Impact | To further increase the rate of recruitment of patients with mild Alzheimer's disease we have then widened our recruitment area beyond Stirling to include two consultants at the Community Hospital in Falkirk: Drs Debbie Browne and Parvez Thekkumpurath have agreed to refer patients with mild Alzheimer's disease to our study. The study has also been added to the Join Dementia Research (JDR) register, which is a national register of over 14,000 patients and healthy individuals interested in taking part in dementia research. This service allows prospective participants, who meet eligibility criteria for a study, to express interest in taking part and provides researchers with the contact details of interested patients. This will increase the rate of recruitment for both the current study and future work. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | DROIA - Early diagnosis of breast and ovarian cancer CIC4 |
Organisation | DROIA nv |
Country | Belgium |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Intellectual property. Well developed conversations around the potential spin out with this VC company. |
Collaborator Contribution | Well developed conversations around the potential spin out with this VC company. Aiming for significant investment in 2018. |
Impact | No outcomes to date but very advanced discussion and multiple meetings. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | DSTL and Metrohm (Liver quality CIC4) |
Organisation | Metrohm |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The research has led to a new collaboration that incorporates DSTL and Metrohm. As a result we have access to a prototype Raman instrument that Metrohm is developing and which may help us improve on the very promising preliminary results that we have generated. |
Collaborator Contribution | The research has led to a new collaboration that incorporates DSTL and Metrohm. As a result we have access to a prototype Raman instrument that Metrohm is developing and which may help us improve on the very promising preliminary results that we have generated. |
Impact | No outputs to report to date |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Diurnal Ltd (Corticosterone Project CIC4) |
Organisation | Diurnal Group |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Consultation has been obtained with Diurnal Ltd (the developers of Chronocort and Infacort) who have expressed interest and offered support in kind and the prospect of funding and down-stream collaboration once a drug product is available. Following a recent face-to-face meeting at a Diurnal executive board meeting, they offered informal advice and in-kind support with a view to more formal collaboration if MHRA advice and the pending clinical data in CAH patients is positive. |
Collaborator Contribution | Consultation has been obtained with Diurnal Ltd (the developers of Chronocort and Infacort) who have expressed interest and offered support in kind and the prospect of funding and down-stream collaboration once a drug product is available. Following a recent face-to-face meeting at a Diurnal executive board meeting, they offered informal advice and in-kind support with a view to more formal collaboration if MHRA advice and the pending clinical data in CAH patients is positive. |
Impact | No outputs to report to date |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Edinburgh BioSciences Ltd (Vampire app CIC4) |
Organisation | Edinburgh Biosciences Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Discovery research |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise |
Impact | No outcomes to date |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Endura - One size embolism stocking CiC4 |
Organisation | Endura Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Medical device opportunity |
Collaborator Contribution | Endura are interested in exploring new market for the technology in addition to the medical devices opportunity. Collaborator on EPSRC grant which was secured and reported in further funding. |
Impact | Successfully secured an EPSRC grant and opened the opportunity up to other potential markets |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | EuroImmun (CINck CIC4) |
Organisation | Euroimmun |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | The aim of this project is to perform a head to head comparison of L1 based HPV DNA target amplification tests with those that are E6/E7 based for the detection of HPV in high-grade and invasive disease within different biological matrices |
Collaborator Contribution | The primary outcome will be to assess hrHPV prevalence between the assays in the different sample types. Secondary outcome will look at type specific concordance information is available. A tertiary outcome of the project will be to look at degradation of samples and its effect on hrHPV positivity over time. For this we will use fresh LBC samples and perform testing using the four assays at multiple time points after storage. |
Impact | Project ongoing, no outcomes to report to date |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Farmabios (Corticosterone CIC4) |
Organisation | Farmabios |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Discovery research |
Collaborator Contribution | Manufacturing GMP corticosterone |
Impact | No outcomes to report to date |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Heriot Watt University (efinger CIC4) |
Organisation | Heriot-Watt University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Work on Super Resolution Imaging (Ultrasound) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in collaboration with Assoc. Professors Vassilis Sboros and Weiping Lu. |
Collaborator Contribution | Work undertaken by Assoc Professors as noted above. |
Impact | The collaboration has resulted in a successful application to the CSO Scotland that will fund a 2 year project evaluating the use of SRI in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (TCS/18/40) |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | MedImmune - Suppression of IL-33 in severe allergic asthma CIC4 |
Organisation | AstraZeneca |
Department | MedImmune |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Project idea / IP |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration allowed project to test HpARI in human IL-33 transgenic mice, and also giving extremely valuable technical advice on the biophysics of IL-33 binding. |
Impact | no outcomes to date |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Optos - Vampire app CiC4 |
Organisation | Optos plc |
Department | Optos |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Provided intellectual property |
Collaborator Contribution | Optos provided funding for 2 x PhDs totalling £216000. Reporting in further funding. |
Impact | 2 x PhD and further funding in progress from company. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Quay Pharma (Corticosterone CIC4) |
Organisation | Quay Pharma |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Discovery research |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise |
Impact | No outcomes to report to date |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Therakind (Corticosterone CiC4) |
Organisation | TheraKIND |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Academic discovery research |
Collaborator Contribution | Consultation has been obtained with Therakind (a paediatric formulation/marketing specialist) who have expressed interest and offered support in kind and the prospect of funding and down-stream collaboration once a drug product is available. |
Impact | No outcomes to report yet |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Wide Blue - eFinger CIC4 |
Organisation | Wideblue Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | IP and vision |
Collaborator Contribution | collaborated on submission to Innovate UK. and will work with the project (spin out) to develop the device to the stage of small batch manufacture. |
Impact | no outputs to report |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | cic 2014 (cryopreserved hESC) |
Organisation | Asymptote |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | stem cells |
Collaborator Contribution | Asymptote controlled-rate freezers for cryopreserving cells for clinical application |
Impact | new improved methods |
Start Year | 2015 |
Title | ASSAY |
Description | The present invention relates to methods of determining the clinical significance of an HPV infection in a subject and associated methods, systems and kits. The method involves detection of biomarkers associated with clinically significant HPV infections and associated dysplasia. |
IP Reference | WO2016193682 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2016 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | A UK priority submission has been filed by the University of Edinburgh (27th May 2015) to cover the use of the chemokines (at both protein and mRNA levels) for the determination of clinically significant HPV infection, with associated methods, systems and kits. The named inventors are the applicants of this grant, and have access through the University. The patent was published in December 2016 (WO2016/193682) and filed in Europe (EP3304081) and US (US2018163279) in 2018 |
Title | IMMUNOMODULATORY AGENT |
Description | The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising HpARI domain 2 and: -a. a DNA-binding domain, and/or b. HpARI domain 3, the polypeptide having an inhibitory effect on IL-33 activity. The invention relates further to a related nucleic acid, expression vector, host cell, pharmaceutical composition use in method of treatment, for example for use in treating allergic or inflammatory disorders. The invention also relates to a method of treating allergic or inflammatory disorder, and a ex vivo method of inhibiting IL-33, wherein these methods involve the use of the polypeptide. |
IP Reference | WO2019030542 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Spin out discussions are underway with experienced entrepreneurs. |
Title | METHODS FOR CANCER DIAGNOSIS USING A GENE EXPRESSION SIGNATURE |
Description | The present invention relates to the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment. The present invention provides methods of diagnosing cancer, prognosing cancer, predicting efficacy of treatment for cancer, assessing outcome of treatment for cancer or assessing recurrence of cancer comprising the steps of a) analysing a biological sample obtained from a subject to determine the presence of target molecules representative of expression of at least four biomarkers selected from the group consisting of MCTP1, PIBF1, TMTC2, ANKRD32, CEPT1, ZNF114, CRYBG3, IFI16, PPIF, SCD, RP11-469M7.1, PTP4A1 and NRIP1; and b) comparing the expression levels of the biomarkers determined in (a) with one or more reference values, wherein a difference in the expression of the biomarkers in the sample from the subject compared to the one or more reference values is indicative of cancer presence or absence. The invention further provides methods of treating cancer, and devices and kits for use in the methods of the invention. |
IP Reference | WO2018150179 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | A spin out is under construction and in discussion with 4 x Venture Capital companies, advanced discussions with one VC company. |
Title | New AES (CIC4) |
Description | A new AES has been developed, which has the ability to cover a very large portion of the population and deliver almost the correct pressures. Feedback from a clinical evaluation of nine stockings has shown that eight out of nine patients found them easier to don and doff, and found the new AES more comfortable. The pressures exerted by the new AES demonstrate compression gradients, which are closer to international standards. |
Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | A pressure sensor company already in existence more than 16 years, are eager to combine technology once we have established our product and/or brand in the market place Therefore, a huge amount of potential to take this project forward to the wider market place. Potential to license the technology and currently exploring this option. |
Title | New spectroscopic method |
Description | We have developed new spectroscopic methods for measuring the health of pre-transplant livers. As a result of our collaboration with DSTL and Metrohm we will have access to a new spectrometer (not yet commercially available) that could enable better measurements of spectra in the operating theatre. |
Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | Will report on impact once method becomes commercially available |
Title | Retinal image analysis improvement (Vampire CIC4) |
Description | Imaging the retina could become a quick test for identifying disease in the human body and brain. To unlock this potential researchers from around the world investigate associations between the retina and conditions such as hypertension, kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and dementia. However, this requires access to specialist software that will measures retinal images in an accurate and reliable way. We possess this expertise and the software through our successful VAMPIRE project. We propose delivering these computerised measurements through a web-based App, enabling our software to be utilised by many more researchers than we are currently able to reach. By charging for access we will sustain and grow the facility, especially as empowering present research will very likely see future activity involving drug development (with the retina as a source of outcome measures to assess efficacy) and large-scale population screening programmes to identify at-risk individuals for more effective interventions. |
Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
Year Produced | 2017 |
Impact | As a result of the project, significant improvements have been made to the analysis of retinal images, including: 1. Enhanced human-computer interface, which is more efficient and gives a better user experience. 2. Robust handling of images from different devices with different resolutions 3. Superior measurement processes with more reliable outputs 4. Scalability - i.e. can handle more users and more images than ever before 5. Easier to maintain and update than previous means of delivering software |
Title | Rheumatoid Arthritis CIC4 |
Description | We have developed a new multiplex array based assay for the profiling of autoantibodies against citrullinated peptide sequences in human serum. We have adapted the Reverse Phase Protein Microarray (RPPA) platform to immobilise the modified peptides, as well as unmodified controls, on glass slides, using previously existing technologies. The slides are incubated with a small amount (40 microlitters) of human serum so that antibodies against those sequences are retained on the slide via antibody-antigen interactions. We have optimised a protocol for the detection of those autoantibodies using biotin labelled anti-human IgG secondary antibodies and a streptavidin-conjugated fluorophore, which can then be read using the Innopsys IR 710 scanner. The data is then processed using Mapix software and analysed bioinformatically. All bioinformatic tools used were previously available and adapted for the purposes of these datasets. However, further work may lead to the development of new types of software that are best suited for this analysis, for example in incorporating clinical information such as disease onset, symptoms etc. This assay allows us to test a large number of peptide sequences and controls (currently up to 360 unique sequences) using a small amount of serum. For comparison, about 18 sequences had been tested previously and the current assays use only a small subset of those. Our assay can therefore significantly accelerate progress in both disease diagnosis and basic research. Although similar multiplex platforms have been developed previously, the knowledge of citrullinated peptide sequences to test was lacking. Therefore, this is the first multiplex assay of its kind. |
Type Of Technology | New Material/Compound |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | No impact to date, IP protection to be discussed further. |
Company Name | Eye To The Future |
Description | Eye To The Future develops software that aims to improve the speed in which ophthalmologists and optometrists review patient retinal records. |
Year Established | 2021 |
Impact | 5 staff employed |
Company Name | IntelliPalp Dx |
Description | IntelliPalp Dx researches and develops medical devices to assist with clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer. |
Year Established | 2020 |
Impact | New company so no impacts as yet. Company has employees and has been awarded funding but actual impact will be reported in 2022. |
Website | https://www.intellipalp.com/ |
Company Name | Precidar Diagnostics Limited |
Description | |
Year Established | 2015 |
Impact | This company failed to get investment and closed in October 2018. |
Description | Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre (Vaccines CIC4) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Information on the potential for novel adjuvants such as the Cobalt nanoparticles studied in the CiC project was included in educational material provided as part of scientific resource for the new Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre. The information may be included in educational activities for secondary school pupils aiming to understand disease control/diagnostics and the value of research in driving improved strategies. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Edinburgh Fringe Show - CINck |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Cervical Cancer - You're history Edinburgh Fringe Show at part of the Cabaret of Dangerous Idea |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Patient advice obtained (Corticosterone CIC4) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | Patient advice has been obtained from the Addison's Disease Self-Help Group and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia patient support group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Presentation at Scottish Colposcopy meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presented 'HPV molecular testing and biomarkers for improved cervical disease management' on 11th November |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Scottish HPV Investigators Network |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | New markers of cervical infection, immunity and disease |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Sunday Times article (efinger CIC4) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | An article was included in a supplement to the Sunday Times in 2016 highlighting the work of this project |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Talks to IET by Bob Reuben (efinger CIC4) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Addressed talks to the Institute of Engineering Technology which sparked a q&a session following the talk |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Talks to RSSA by Bob Reuben (efinger CIC4) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Addressed talks to the Royal Scottish Society of Arts following by a q&a session. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Veterinary symposium (Vaccines CIC4) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Poster presentation at International Veterinary Immunology Symposium 2017 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |