The University of Manchester - Proximity to Discovery: Industry Engagement Fund - Phase 2

Lead Research Organisation: University of Manchester

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 MRC Proximity to Discovery scheme awards universities funds to help develop new collaborations, and ways of exchanging knowledge and skills.  The awards can be used to support activities that promote the value of academic-industry partnership, and enhance academic and industry researchers’ understanding of each other’s needs and capabilities.  This may be through people exchanges, creation of technology demonstrators, showcase events, commercialisation workshops and ‘entrepreneurs in residence’ schemes.  Such exchanges of knowledge and skills will boost the most fruitful collaborations between UK universities and life science companies.

Publications

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Kendall AC (2018) Lipidomics for translational skin research: A primer for the uninitiated. in Experimental dermatology

 
Description Industry collaboration
Amount £80,000 (GBP)
Organisation Matoke Holdings 
Sector Private
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Collaboration between Anna Nicolaou and Waters 
Organisation Waters Corporation
Department Micromass UK Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Application of novel company technologies to clinical samples, and data analysis to form an academic publication and subsequent grant proposals. Training of company staff in scientific techniques. Project supervision.
Collaborator Contribution Access to state of the art technology, and licences to associated software. Training of academic staff.
Impact Project still in progress.
Start Year 2016
 
Description Collaboration between Catharine West and Nanoco Technologies Ltd 
Organisation Nanoco
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution An assay for a novel cancer biomarker to determine suitability for immunotherapy. Access to patient samples for assay validation.
Collaborator Contribution Access to novel reagents to improve assay times and sensitivity.
Impact Still in progress.
Start Year 2016
 
Description Collaboration between Helen Young and Leo Pharma 
Organisation LEO Pharma (including subsidiary Peplin Ltd)
Country Denmark 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution A clinical tool to quantify amount of physical activity/adherence to exercise programmes for psoriasis patients, who typically do not exercise to recommended levels and increase their already elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. Access to focus groups of psoriatic patients to inform programme design, trial the product, and give feedback.
Collaborator Contribution Previous insight from studies into wearables and exercise programmes. A funded anthropologist to conduct interviews and workshops. Commercial experience in launching products and services for psoriasis patients.
Impact Still in progress.
Start Year 2016
 
Description Collaboration between Jo Neill and Roche 
Organisation F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
Country Global 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Novel in vivo models for neurodevelopmental abnormalities, and related cell culture models to identify new biomarkers. Once validated, these biomarkers may be useful to monitor clinical trials, and the models used in drug discovery.
Collaborator Contribution State of the art facilities and know how to culture brain cells. Training on co-culture of complex cell types.
Impact Project in progress.
Start Year 2016
 
Description Collaboration between Michael Harte and Synaging 
Organisation SynAging SAS
Country France 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Expertise in encapsulation technologies and surgical procedures to generate novel in vivo models. Analysis of models and investigation of disease biomarkers.
Collaborator Contribution Provision of transgenic cell lines. Avenue to commercialise models generated.
Impact Still in progress.
Start Year 2016
 
Description Collaboration between Paul Townsend and SCIEX 
Organisation AB SCIEX
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Access to 200 serum samples from prostate cancer patients and healthy control groups.
Collaborator Contribution Training and access to proprietary SWATH-MS systems.
Impact Still in progress.
Start Year 2017
 
Description Collaboration between Pete Bower and Galen Research Ltd 
Organisation Galen Research Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Access to COPD patient cohort, and linked data with council (social) services, providing feasibility data concerning methods to assess integrated services.
Collaborator Contribution Training in psychometrics and measurement science to analyse and compare complex interventions.
Impact Still in progress.
Start Year 2016
 
Description Collaboration between Richard Bryce and Cyprotex 
Organisation Cyprotex
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Expertise in advanced molecular modelling techniques to replace simple 2D models currently used by company. Improving models based on in vivo PK datasets.
Collaborator Contribution In vivo PK datasets to improve lab's in silico models. Acces to existing proprietary PBPK software. Market specific knowledge to develop a business case for software development (e.g. informing whether open access framework needed and potential licencing arrangements).
Impact Still in progress.
Start Year 2016
 
Description Optimisation of a multiplex IHC methodology for biomarker development 
Organisation Nanoco
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The project initially went well with progress in antibody purification and conjugation. It was found that the Vivodots™ nanoparticles ™ were detectable by the imaging systems used but the signal was of a low level when the Vivodots™ nanoparticles were conjugated to the primary antibody. To determine if this was due to conjugation interfering with the performance of the primary antibody or due to limitations of detection the Vivodots™ nanoparticles were conjugated to a secondary antibody. During this stage of the project was unfortunately affected by the fire at the Paterson building where the project was being undertaken. This resulted in the loss of equipment being used and a severe delay before the project could proceed. Once the project could proceed the conjugation to the secondary antibody was repeated but unfortunately this did not improve the staining being produced. The project has shown the Vivodots™ nanoparticles could be conjugated to antibodies and could be detected by the imaging systems currently in use for multiplex IHC. Initially the project performed well against its original objectives. The disruption due to the building fire was a major problem as it disrupted staff and equipment availability. An opportunity arose to use different imaging techniques to detect the Vivodots™ nanoparticles and this may be pursued in the future. The project has shown the Vivodots™ nanoparticles could be conjugated to antibodies and could be detected by the imaging systems currently in use for multiplex IHC.
Collaborator Contribution as above
Impact Possible alternative imaging strategies to enable Vivodots use in in vivo imaging An informal collaboration will continue with the aim of finalising the studies undertaken and performing initial investigations of alternative imaging strategies.
Start Year 2017