Delivering Translational Opportunities From Edinburgh (DTOFE)
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)
- Max Planck Society (Collaboration)
- Wörwag Pharma (Collaboration)
- UK Regenerative Medicine Platform (Collaboration)
- IsoChemiX (Collaboration)
- Université Catholique de Louvain (Collaboration)
- University of Dundee (Collaboration)
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) (Collaboration)
- Zeus Scientific (Collaboration)
- Epidarex (Collaboration)
- Tavec Pharma (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
Publications
Hoare D
(2019)
The Future of Cardiovascular Stents: Bioresorbable and Integrated Biosensor Technology.
in Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
Ramachandran P
(2019)
Resolving the fibrotic niche of human liver cirrhosis at single-cell level.
in Nature
Bussooa A
(2020)
Impedimetric Detection and Electromediated Apoptosis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Using Microfabricated Biosensors for Diagnosis and Therapeutic Intervention in Cardiovascular Diseases.
in Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
Younger NT
(2022)
In Vivo Modeling of Patient Genetic Heterogeneity Identifies New Ways to Target Cholangiocarcinoma.
in Cancer research
Molloy A
(2022)
Challenges to the Development of the Next Generation of Self-Reporting Cardiovascular Implantable Medical Devices.
in IEEE reviews in biomedical engineering
Adam C
(2022)
A 5-FU Precursor Designed to Evade Anabolic and Catabolic Drug Pathways and Activated by Pd Chemistry In Vitro and In Vivo.
in Journal of medicinal chemistry
Marland J
(2023)
Toward Synthetic Vascular Graft Monitoring Using a Flip-Chip-on-Flex Impedance Spectroscopy Sensor
in IEEE Sensors Journal
| Description | A randomised, double blinded, placebo-controlled feasibility trial to evaluate dichloroacetate in the management of endometriosis-associated pain (EPiC2) |
| Amount | £249,850 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wellbeing of Women |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Assessment of Cataract Photobleaching Therapy in Animals |
| Amount | £325,813 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 133617 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2018 |
| End | 07/2019 |
| Description | Benfotiamine of thiamine deficiency |
| Amount | € 101,912 (EUR) |
| Organisation | Wörwag Pharma |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | Germany |
| Start | 12/2022 |
| End | 11/2023 |
| Description | Career Development Fellowship |
| Amount | £1,500,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Cancer Research UK |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2020 |
| End | 01/2026 |
| Description | Company funding to Cataract Project B Dhillon |
| Amount | £700,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Edinburgh Biosciences Ltd |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Confidence in Concept |
| Amount | £89,440 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2019 |
| End | 12/2020 |
| Description | Defining lipidomic biomarkers of the interactions between Western diet and liver health using mass spectrometry imaging |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | East of Scotland BioScience (EastBio) |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | EU funded grant with Gdansk (PFK1 CIC6) |
| Amount | £120,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Gdansk |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | Poland |
| Start | |
| Description | Glasgow Knowledge Exchange Grant |
| Amount | £42,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | HTS |
| Amount | £120,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | IAA: Glocal Therapy |
| Amount | £29,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2018 |
| End | 05/2019 |
| Description | MRC Proximity to Discovery |
| Amount | £2,700 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2018 |
| End | 09/2018 |
| Description | MVLS DTP PhD |
| Amount | £150,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | MVLS Translation equipment grant |
| Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Glasgow |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | |
| Description | Proximity to Discovery |
| Amount | £1,300 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2019 |
| End | 10/2019 |
| Description | Targeting biological vulnerabilities of glioblastoma (Brain Tumour Awards) |
| Amount | £5,600,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | C25858/A28592 |
| Organisation | Cancer Research UK |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2019 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | Targeting biological vulnerabilities of glioblastoma (TARGET-GBM) |
| Amount | £5,800,953 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 28592 |
| Organisation | Cancer Research UK |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2019 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | Tavec Pharma contribution |
| Amount | £230,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Tavec Pharma |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | Canada |
| Start | |
| Description | Wellcome Trust ITPA |
| Amount | £13,845 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2018 |
| End | 02/2020 |
| Title | Developed scale up synthesis of prodrug |
| Description | We developed the scale-up synthesis of the prodrug GlocaFUR. Approx. 90 g of compound was synthesized in our lab, with > 99% purity, which will enormously simplify prodrug production for forthcoming preclinical studies in larger animals. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Potential spin out route once the in vivo efficacy data is evaluated |
| Title | Development of mouse model using CT26 cell lines (Pollard J) |
| Description | We developed a fast in vivo mouse model using CT26 cell lines injected subcutaneosly in the flank of the animal; this cancer model will be extensively used to test our anti-TAM targeting antibodies in combination with immunotherapy. We were able to define a precise protocol for the lentiviral transduction of iPS cells and we identified several screening candidates for our planned screening using iPS macrophages. We made a significant progress with the development of the human antigen specific T cell killing assay by characterizing the cancer cell T2, by defining a precise protocol for antigen specific killing. |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Spin-out resulted from research - awaiting term sheet from Investors |
| Title | Development of new mass spec imaging platform for liver tissue lipidomic analysis |
| Description | Development of new mass spectrometric imaging platform for liver tissue lipidomic analysis/PK-PD in collaboration with Professor Ruth Andrew. This technology looks promising and data has been selected for presentation at two conferences. It may also be leveraged to support a nascent collaboration with Dr Bansal's group at the University of Twente |
| Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | No impact to report to date |
| Title | Development of well characterised phenotypic assays |
| Description | Development of a suite of well characterised phenotypic assays (proliferation, alpha-smooth muscle actin differentiation, extracellular matrix deposition) in primary human liver, lung and skin fibroblasts for screening of anti-fibrotic medicines. These assays have already been applied in other projects in collaboration with other researchers (e.g. Ramachandran/Henderson group in Edinburgh). Data included in recent Nature paper. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Unknown at this time |
| Title | ENPP5 |
| Description | ENPP5 cloned, expressed, assay developed |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Seeking industry interest |
| Title | ENPP6 |
| Description | ENPP6 cellular assay developed |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Seeking Industry interest |
| Title | In vivo mouse model using CT26 cell lines |
| Description | We developed a fast in vivo mouse model using CT26 cell lines injected subcutaneosly in the flank of the animal; this cancer model will be extensively used to test our anti-TAM targeting antibodies in combination with immunotherapy. We were able to define a precise protocol for the lentiviral transduction of iPS cells and we identified several screening candidates for our planned screening using iPS macrophages. We made a significant progress with the development of the human antigen specific T cell killing assay by characterizing the cancer cell T2, by defining a precise protocol for antigen specific killing. |
| Type Of Material | Cell line |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | No impact to date. Start up created and seeking investment. |
| Title | Platereader technology |
| Description | A novel plate-reading platform to study spectral autofluorescence characteristics of catataract has been develop and is available at the MRC Centre for Regenerative medicine. This a bespoke instrumentation with no commercial equivalent that can collect spectral autofluorescent signature with great sensitivity in a wideband spectral range (between 310nm and 550nm). In addition to cataract diagnostics this research tool may be useful to study protein folding and unfolding in age related diseases. molecular diagnostic tool for aging. |
| Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | In addition to cataract diagnostics this research tool may be useful to study protein folding and unfolding in age related diseases i.e. a novel molecular diagnostic tool for aging. There is no commercial equivalent that can collect spectral autofluorescent signature with great sensitivity in a wideband spectral range |
| Title | S0X2 (S Pollard) |
| Description | SOX-2 GBM reporter cell line assays fixed ICC and live cell imaging and flow cytometry quantification of SOX-2 expression have been developed |
| Type Of Material | Cell line |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Nothing to report to date |
| Title | Two new model of cholangiocarcinoma harbouring mutational profiles found in human cancer developed |
| Description | We have developed two new models of cholangiocarcinoma harbouring mutational profiles found in human cancer (NF2 and PlexinB2). The details of these models will be submitted for publication and plasmids and vectors generated for this model will be made available. |
| Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - human |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Details of model haven't been submitted yet. |
| Description | Catholic University of Louvain |
| Organisation | Catholic University of Louvain |
| Country | Belgium |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided discovery science and project plan. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We established a collaboration with Prof. Pierre van der Bruggen, Louvain, who provided Melan-Mart-1 specific human CD8+ T cells to be used in the T cell killing assay. |
| Impact | No outcomes to date other than experiment results - seeking investment for start up company. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Collaboration with Zeus (Mitra) |
| Organisation | Zeus Scientific |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We provide the science / ideas. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Zeus provided the free custom designed stents |
| Impact | Applying for further funding with Zeus as partner |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | GSK (Mole) |
| Organisation | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) |
| Country | Global |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | underpinning science on project |
| Collaborator Contribution | GSK providing external advice |
| Impact | no outputs to date |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology |
| Organisation | Max Planck Society |
| Department | Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided discovery research and project plan |
| Collaborator Contribution | We were able to get a unique plasmid from Dr. Dirk Hoffman which will be used to generate customized lentiviral particles for iPS targeting. |
| Impact | No outputs to date - seeking investment for start up company |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Partnership with Isochemix (Mole) |
| Organisation | IsoChemiX |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Underpinning science on project |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise and partnering for grant applications (SME) |
| Impact | No outputs to report to date |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | SCRM collaboration |
| Organisation | UK Regenerative Medicine Platform |
| Department | Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (lead), University of Edinburgh |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided discovery science and project plan - inter-College collaboration |
| Collaborator Contribution | We collaborated with Prof. Lesley Forrester at SCRM who provided us with the iPS human line used to generate iPS-derived macrophages. |
| Impact | No outputs - seeking investment for start up company |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Tavec Pharma |
| Organisation | Tavec Pharma |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Test one of their therapeutics in this model and other in-vivo cancel models in PI lab. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Providing therapeutic |
| Impact | New collaboration so no outcomes recorded to date |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | University of Dundee |
| Organisation | University of Dundee |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided discovery science and project plan |
| Collaborator Contribution | This grant allowed us to establish a collaboration with Prof. Paul Crocker, University of Dundee, who provided us with neutralizing antibodies against one of the identified TAM targets. We used these antibodies to further validate the in vivo fast tumor model using the CT26 cell line. |
| Impact | Outputs from experiment results - seeking investment for company start up. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | VC investment into Spin out (Pollard) |
| Organisation | Epidarex |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The research team is developing novel immuno-therapies to modulate the activity of macrophages, increasing the body's immune defence against tumours in cancer sufferers. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners have invested £3.2m in the spin out to support Macomics' growth and to help it realise the potential of its world-class science. |
| Impact | Recent investment, no current outputs |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Worwag Pharma Collaboration |
| Organisation | Wörwag Pharma |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Investigator initiated study grant. Funded by Worwag, study by UoE |
| Collaborator Contribution | Funding and expertise |
| Impact | Study ongoing so no outcomes to report at this time |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Title | BIOORTHOGONAL COMPOUNDS COMPRISING A PROPARGYL GROUP FOR TREATING CANCER |
| Description | A method of preparing an active agent or a salt thereof from a pro-drug first compound (1) comprising a propargyl group connected to an oxygen that is directly or indirectly connected to the active agent is provided, wherein the bond between the propargyl group and the oxygen is cleaved by reacting the first compound with palladium or gold, thereby releasing the active agent. Prodrug compositions suitable for use in the method are also provided. |
| IP Reference | US2020289554 |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | 2020 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | No impact |
| Title | System and method for cell characterisation in biological tissue |
| Description | A system that provides the ability to integrate both diagnostic tissue detection and therapeutic tissue treatment functionality in an implantable medical device (IMD), such as a graft or stent. |
| IP Reference | 17/443,410 |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Patent application pending US20230023897A1 |
| Company Name | CELLINTA LTD |
| Description | A biotech company spun out of the University of Edinburgh will utilise research to develop new gene therapies to target different types of cancer. The company, Cellinta Limited, was born out of research from scientists at the University of Edinburgh, and received funding through investments from SV Health Investors and Cancer Research UK. The funding will be used to develop a pipeline of 'highly selective' gene therapies targeting cancer stem cells in a variety of solid tumour types. |
| Year Established | 2019 |
| Impact | The company dissolved in 2021 |
| Company Name | MACOMICS LTD |
| Description | As a result of our work we founded a Startup called Macomics on November 6th 2018; we are now in the process of defining a business plan and we are in a phase of advanced negotiations with an investor. |
| Year Established | 2018 |
| Impact | No impact. Looking for external investment. |
| Description | From bench to bedside: a potential novel non-hormonal treatment for endometriosis-associated pain |
| 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 | 6th European Endometriosis League Conference in Bordeaux |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Interest from two clinical oncologists at UCL and The Christie |
| 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 | Our generation of NF2 mutant cholangiocarcinoma is of interest to two clinical oncologists at UCL and The Christie, Manchester who are interested in precision medicine for cholangiocarcinoma. We are now working with these groups to determine whether there are specific therapeutics that are in trial that could be more effective in NF2 mutant cancer. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Public talk supported by Diabetes UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk to general public on islet quality in assessment for transplantation in diabetes patients. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4J2tmDTs40 |
| Description | Radio interview (Unciti-Broceta) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Academic discussed his research in radio interviews in Spain |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Wellbeing Seminar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The seminar was hosted by Wellbeing of Woman for the 'let's talk about periods' series. This was an online event accessible to an international audience. This talk was intended to lessen the stigma attached to talking about periods and widen knowledge. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qIYATSxGf0 |
| Description | What's new in endometriosis research and how will this shape endometriosis care over the next 5 years? |
| 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 | Arab Health Conference in Dubai |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |