The Queen’s University of Belfast Confidence in Concept (CiC) programme 2017
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen's University Belfast
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.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Alan Stitt (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Beirne JP
(2019)
Defining the molecular evolution of extrauterine high grade serous carcinoma.
in Gynecologic oncology
Bertelli PM
(2020)
Vascular Regeneration for Ischemic Retinopathies: Hope from Cell Therapies.
in Current eye research
Fathy Mohamed Y
(2019)
A general protein O-glycosylation machinery conserved in Burkholderia species improves bacterial fitness and elicits glycan immunogenicity in humans.
in The Journal of biological chemistry
Feeney L
(2020)
Liquid biopsy in ovarian cancer: Catching the silent killer before it strikes.
in World journal of clinical oncology
Guduric-Fuchs J
(2021)
miR-130a activates the VEGFR2/STAT3/HIF1a axis to potentiate the vasoregenerative capacity of endothelial colony-forming cells in hypoxia.
in Molecular therapy. Nucleic acids
Momtazi G
(2019)
Regulators of A20 (TNFAIP3): new drug-able targets in inflammation.
in American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology
Ryan S
(2020)
Fasciola hepatica-Derived Molecules as Regulators of the Host Immune Response.
in Frontiers in immunology
Sánchez-Rodríguez R
(2020)
The BPtpA protein from Burkholderia cenocepacia belongs to a new subclass of low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatases.
in Archives of biochemistry and biophysics
| Description | A conserved protein O-glycosylation pathway in the Burkholderia genus essential for bacterial fitness and antigenicity in humans |
| Amount | £455,987 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/T005807/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2020 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | Burkholderia species in sugarcane: the relationship among antifungal production, intrinsic antimicrobial resistance, and pest biocontrol |
| Amount | £66,928 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R022607/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2018 |
| End | 04/2019 |
| Description | Characterising the blood methylome to develop an early detection test for high grade serous carcinomas. |
| Amount | £98,913 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 28145 |
| Organisation | Cancer Research UK |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2019 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | Human blood-derived endothelial colony forming cells as a new cell therapy for chronic non-healing wounds |
| Amount | £207,476 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | MR/S036695/1 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| End | 04/2023 |
| Description | ICURe award to Dr Fiona Furlong's group - ECR David Campbell |
| Amount | £35,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 06/2019 |
| Description | ICURe award to Dr Jonathan Coulter 's group - ECR Niall Byrne |
| Amount | £40,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2020 |
| End | 03/2021 |
| Description | ImageDx CRC & ImageDx Lung: A centralized, AI-based solution for tissue-based delivery of personalized medicine testing for the NHS. |
| Amount | £2,230,645 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AI_AWARD02222 |
| Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2021 |
| End | 09/2024 |
| Description | Innovate UK Innovation Scholar Secondment for ECR Peter Stewart - awarded to Manuel Salto-Tellez |
| Amount | £65,666 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2020 |
| End | 12/2021 |
| Description | Invest Northern Ireland Proof of Concept |
| Amount | £112,467 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | Invest Northern Ireland PoC 905 |
| Organisation | Invest Northern Ireland |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2019 |
| End | 05/2021 |
| Description | Novel Blood Test for Early Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer |
| Amount | £208,576 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 51024 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 08/2022 |
| Description | PROCLAIM (PROstate Cancer goLd nAnoparticle Implants for radiotherapy) |
| Amount | £376,156 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Prostate Cancer UK |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2020 |
| End | 08/2023 |
| Description | TRACER - TaRgeted gold (Au) nanoparticles as CancEr Radiosensitisers |
| Amount | £39,545 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 2111/130235581 |
| Organisation | Invest Northern Ireland |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2021 |
| End | 04/2023 |
| Description | The ACTIONED Consortium: integrAted moleCular soluTIons fOr diagNostics and Early Detection |
| Amount | £2,989,567 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 105855 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2020 |
| End | 04/2023 |
| Description | The development of a commercially scalable extraction process for Aramune™ a novel plant based immunomodulatory polysaccharide with ICURe substantiated commercial application in animal feed, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets |
| Amount | £297,824 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 10001310 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2021 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | Understanding how BMP9 protects from diabetes-induced blood retinal barrier breakdown |
| Amount | £244,977 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 20/0006162 |
| Organisation | Diabetes UK |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2021 |
| End | 03/2024 |
| Description | Understanding how ageing impacts on vascular regeneration through the endothelial senescence associated secretory phenotype |
| Amount | £428,815 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/T000805/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2020 |
| End | 12/2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with Intezyne |
| Organisation | Intezyne |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | QUB are studying mechanisms and biomarkers for stratification of BRAF mutant CRC patients for specific treatments |
| Collaborator Contribution | Intezyne have provided proprietary therapeutic compounds under MTA which target the pathway of interest, as well as participation of senior staff in project review |
| Impact | In - kind contribution of materials |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Partnership with Università di Napoli Federico II |
| Organisation | Federico II University Hospital |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | We are investigating a novel polysaccharide with potential application in a number of therapeutic areas |
| Collaborator Contribution | Universita di Napoli have world-renowned expertise in identification of polysaccharide structures and sequences. They are conducting an analysis on our polysaccharide to enable us to define the exact structure. We have been advised by our patent attorneys that this was a critical step in allowing us to file for patent protection around this material, which would in turn allow for commercialisation. The work is being conducted at a substantially reduced cost compared to full rates, and Universita di Napoli will hopefully become embedded in this project as a valued partner |
| Impact | Work is ongoing at the time of writing |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Use of human ocular specimens |
| Organisation | University of Florida |
| Department | College of Medicine |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Prof Mike Boulton provided expertise and access to clinical samples |
| Impact | Glenn JV, Mahaffy H, Wu K, Smith G, Nagai R, Simpson DA, Boulton ME, Stitt AW. Advanced glycation end product (AGE) accumulation on Bruch's membrane: links to age-related RPE dysfunction. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009 Jan;50(1):441-51. Beattie JR, Pawlak AM, Boulton ME, Zhang J, Monnier VM, McGarvey JJ, Stitt AW. Multiplex analysis of age-related protein and lipid modifications in human Bruch's membrane. FASEB J. 2010 Dec;24(12):4816-24. Glenn JV, Mahaffy H, Dasari S, Oliver M, Chen M, Boulton ME, Xu H, Curry WJ, Stitt AW. Proteomic profiling of human retinal pigment epithelium exposed to an advanced glycation-modified substrate. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2011 Nov 13. [Epub ahead of print] |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Title | A NEW BIOMARKER FOR PREECLAMPSIA |
| Description | This invention relates to the use of biomarker LRG1 as a biomarker for preeclampsia for use from the first trimester. Elevated levels of leucine-rich alpha 2 glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) can predict risk for the future development of preeclampsia or other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The predictive test will comprise the measurement of LRG1 protein, peptide fragment, DNA or RNA, from either blood, plasma, serum, urine, saliva or amniotic fluid. The invention provides a method and a test kit to assess the risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant woman. The method or test can utilise antibodies to measure levels of LGR1 in a sample. |
| IP Reference | WO2018153879 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Applicant: The Queen's University of Belfast. Inventors Alice Cheung, Clare Kelly, Timothy Lyons, Chris Watson Validation study in progress |
| Title | A method of diagnosing, prognosing and/or monitoring ovarian cancer |
| Description | Patent going through examination |
| IP Reference | GB2008113.9 |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | 2020 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | Licensed to Queen's University Belfast spinout |
| Title | Diagnosis and treatment of burkholderia infections |
| Description | Patent pending in relation to diagnostic application of an antibody / antigen recognising burkholderia bacterium for human and veterinary purposes |
| IP Reference | GB2013389.8 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2020 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Patent application pending and technology still in development |
| Title | IMMUNOMODULATORY AGENT |
| Description | This invention relates to a polysaccharide that can be used to modulate immune responses. |
| IP Reference | WO2022090735 |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | 2022 |
| Licensed | Yes |
| Impact | Licensed to Queen's University Belfast spinout |
| Title | NEURODEGENERATIVE TREATMENT |
| Description | The invention relates to an isolated polysaccharide and a composition comprising the polysaccharide for use in treating a neurodegenerative disease. |
| IP Reference | WO2022090734 |
| Protection | Patent / Patent application |
| Year Protection Granted | 2022 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Discussions in progress around licensing |
| Company Name | Aramune Technologies |
| Description | Aramune Technologies develops aramune, a immune-boosting compound, for farm animal feed. |
| Year Established | 2021 |
| Impact | The company has built new partnerships with local companies in Northern Ireland, including Devenish. Together they are investing further funds in validating a product for the veterinary supplements market. The company also successfully completed the Innovate UK ICURe programme, and subsequently applied for aid for start-ups funding support from Innovate UK. |
| Website | http://www.qubis.co.uk |
| Company Name | GenoME Diagnostics |
| Description | GenoME Diagnostics develops blood tests to detect signs of ovarian cancer earlier than conventional methods. |
| Year Established | 2020 |
| Impact | The company founders won £50K of funding from Innovate UK's ICURe programme for customer discovery and team formation, and then successfully applied for £300K of support from the Innovate UK aid for start-ups scheme. GenoMe Diagnostics were awarded the "best new start on the island of Ireland" prize at the Intertrade Ireland seedcorn competition in 2020, winning an additional 20K Euro |
| Website | http://www.qubis.co.uk |
| Company Name | Sonrai Analytics |
| Description | Sonrai Analytics develops software specialising in data analytics and management. |
| Year Established | 2018 |
| Impact | Sonrai Analytics have secured VC investment of £700,000, as well as an Innovate UK award for the ACTIONED (integrAted moleCular soluTIons fOr diagNostics and Early Detection) Consortium, facilitating collaboration between Sonrai, QUB's PMC and Roche in a partnership valued at over £7M. With a focus on colorectal cancer, this award is enabling Sonrai to establish technology and software relating to genomics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics in PMC's state-of-the-art accredited laboratory, while capitalising on Roche's position as the leading global provider of diagnostic solutions in cancer genomics and tissue diagnostics. More recently, Sonrai Analytics have secured an Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award (£2.2M) to deliver novel AI cancer screenings across the NHS in partnership with the PMC. Their AI screening method is potentially a transformational diagnostic tool, delivering more accurate testing and faster results for patients who have had lung and colorectal biopsies, potentially saving the NHS millions each year. |
| Website | http://sonraianalytics.com |
| Company Name | VascVersa |
| Description | VascVersa develops a stem cell retrieval method, allowing high potency cells to be obtained from small samples of umbilical cord blood, for use in regenerative medical research. |
| Year Established | 2018 |
| Impact | The company is in early stages but we have managed to secure Innovate UK funding and private investment. The company has spun-out from QUB as a direct result of success in iCURE allowing a motivated post-doc to drive the company forward from the foundation of a successful academic research programme. |
| Website | https://www.vascversa.com/ |