Queens MRC P2D 2018/19: Establishing an innovation culture at Queen’s
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 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.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Title | 360 video and Virtual Reality Headsets |
| Description | Access to specialist equipment to generate our bespoke 360 content. Recent versions have been made more affordable and accessible thus are making a difference to the way we can conduct research. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | None yet |
| Description | Acceptability and feasibility of Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) in children with cerebral palsy: an industry-academic collaboration (Kerr & McConnell) |
| Organisation | Neurovalens |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The research team at QUB developed the study protocol and acquired ethical permission from the School of Nursing and Midwifery's Research Ethics Committee. Data collection for the feasibility study was completed by an appointed research fellow. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Neurovalens made an in-kind contribution of £13,500 consisting of: 1) Equipment costs, £5,000 2) Staff costs £8,500 Chief Executive Officer / Board Advisor / Regulatory Advisor / Head of Engineering In addition to their in-kind contribution, Neurovalens facilitated meetings between QUB and researchers at the Center for Brain and Cognition, University of California, San Diego, researchers at the Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center who are undertaking a paediatric obesity trial using VeNS. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | GMP manufactured tumour responsive radiosensitising gold nanoparticles (Coulter) |
| Organisation | Midatech Pharma PLC |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Queen's delivered a mini research project with Midatech and hosted company visits to the University. Since initiation of the P2D project Dr Jonathan Coulter (PI) has been the academic lead on two Innovate UK (Biomedical Catalyst) applications submitted by Midatech. Each of these have received very positive feedback from reviewers, but unfortunately have not been funded. The proposals remain an area of interest for Midatech and Coulter, and will be explored further for potential funding opportunities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Midatech provided to expertise, one month's funding for a PDRA (including the opportunity to visit the Midatech site, gaining practical hands-on experience of Midatech research laboratories) and access to the Midatech analytical facilities. |
| Impact | Midatech committed to co-fund a CASE PhD studentship with Dr Coutler to continue the work (starting Oct. 2020). Multidisciplinary research: pharmaceutical chemistry, molecular biology and radiation biology. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Open Exploration with Invitrocue |
| Organisation | Invitrocue |
| Country | Singapore |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | QUB researchers brought clinical and scientific expertise to help inform a potential research programme. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partner brought critical knowledge and learning of how other investigators have been using the technology. This knowledge helped to develop a collaborative plan that differentiated QUB from other groups. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Open Exploration with the Population Council |
| Organisation | Population Council |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Two exploratory seminar events between QUB and Population Council were held in 2019, hosted in Belfast, UK and New York, USA. QUB hosted the Population Council who gave a seminar on pharmaceutical product development for low to middle income settings (from early R&D to market authorisation) to QUB staff. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Population Council hosted QUB staff during a cohort visit to the Population Council's Centre for Biomedical Research in NY where QUB staff delivered a presentation covering new therapies and technologies for women's health. |
| Impact | There were a number of outcomes; • new collaborative relationships with staff from the PC's microbiology, social sciences and regulatory departments. • raised reputation of Boyd/Malcolm research group • tours of the PC laboratories informed new techniques and equipment that will be very useful for the QUB research group • formulation of a new collaborative grant NIH proposal on the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | QUB Precision Medicine Visit to Medicines Discovery Catapult |
| Organisation | Medicines Discovery Catapult |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | QUB Precision Medicine cohort visited the Medicines Discovery Catapult to discuss areas of mutual interest. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Medicines Discovery Catapult hosted QUB visitors. |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| 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 |
| Description | Virtual reality to support health and social care practice in regards to the treatment of anxiety (Best) |
| Organisation | Sentireal |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Queen's provided expertise including clinical evaluation methods and immersive audio. Queen's contribution also included: Organise demonstrations for key stakeholders Organise research meetings Organise key stakeholder workshop and launch events Prepare materials for meetings and workshop Circulate relevant materials in advance and after events Request input from key stakeholders and collate/circulate same Write up activities and findings into a publication for wider international dissemination (mapping exercise) Design and create dedicated space within SSESW Successfully enlist project partner as a visiting researcher at the school Apply for further research funding (Wellcome Trust) Secure further internal funding |
| Collaborator Contribution | Queen's staff spent time in Sentireals' offices with access to technical knowledge including programming, coding and building VR environments. Contributions included: Engaged with key stakeholders through demonstrations of software at key events (including launch event) Apply for further research funding (Future Screens NI) Joined QUB (SSESW) as visiting researcher Attended and meetings regarding project and mapping exercise of VR mental health programmes Promoted the project within local tech sector Trained QUB staff in basic 360 video editing |
| Impact | The project has resulted in dedicated space (VR lab) being developed within SSESW Publications under development: -Systematic mapping review of VR experiences for Mental Health Funding: -Successfully awarded an ESRC Impact Acceleration award -Obtained AHSS faculty SEED money to purchase additional equipment -Submitted two research funding applications (Future Screens NI and Wellcome Trust) Multi-disciplinary: Social Work, psychology, Computer Science and Music/Arts. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | AIMday Big Data, AI and the One Health Agenda (Oct 2018) |
| 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 | An Academic-Industry Meeting day (AIMday) is an engagement event with a specific format for providing the opportunity for academics to engage with industry (companies, public sector or NGOs) in a way that maximises the potential for connection.Under the theme of Big Data, AI and Health Queens invited industry to visit Queens and engage with our researchers. 10 companies (17 representatives) joined the event with over 40 academic researchers to discuss potential ways/areas of working together. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://aimday.se/bigdata-ai-health-belfast-2018/ |
| Description | Engagement with Neuroview |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Gault visited Neuroview Diagnostics in Charlottesville, USA to develop a collaboration with the company to provide novel, intelligent computational solutions for neurological care. Impacts, learning or new activities resulting from the activity; • New understanding of commercialising an idea in healthcare technologies sector • Invited to be a member of Neuroview's scientific advisory board. • Proposal submitted to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Engagement with Zimmer Biomet |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Mohamed Hedi Jomaa (Research Fellow) travelled to Zimmer Biomet (Swindon) for knowledge exchange and discussion of potential collaboration. Dr Jomaa was able to gain access to facilities, equipment and platforms for a trial test and to further strengthen an application to the UKRI future leadership fellowship programme. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Immersive Technologies Network Launch Event, 13th June 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Establishment of a NI Immersive Technologies Network and begin to build the membership base. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | MedCity mission to BioJapan 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | QUB Dean of Innovation and Impact (Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences) was invited to join the MedCity mission to BioJapan 2019 as part of the UK Health & Life Sciences cohort. This provided the opportunity for QUB to connect with MedCity and also promoted QUB/NI as part of the UK Life Sciences ecosystem on a national and international level. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | NICH Meeting: Unlocking Innovations in Digital Health (Nov 2018) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Representatives (70) from across NI's Universities together with those from the Health & Social Care, Department of Health and Life & Health Sciences sector to discuss Digital Health innovations. This sparked debate around the use of health data and industry access to NI's electronic healthcare records. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2018 |
| URL | https://echalliance.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1161110&group= |
| Description | P2D Innovation Training Programme (2018/19) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The P2D Innovation Training Programme (ITP) was designed to provide support for early stage researchers in preparing to engage and develop partnerships with the life sciences sector. The programme aimed to equip researchers with the necessary skills to network and negotiate effectively, understand scientific innovation, and appreciate how Industry-Academia Collaborations (IAC) work. 25 participants fully engaged in the programme held at Catalyst Belfast Fintech Hub and several have followed up with the Business Alliance team on engaging with an industry partner. There has been an observed increase in interest in industry partnerships and translational research from the health sciences postdoctoral community at Queen's. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
| URL | https://www.qub.ac.uk/about/Leadership-and-structure/Faculties-and-Schools/Medicine-Health-and-Life-... |
| Description | People Exchange - Senitreal |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Dr Matilde Meireles (Research Fellow) spent time with Sentireal for training on 360 video editing. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Postdocs 2 Innovators Enterprise Fair (Nov 2018) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The p2i network is a joint initiative involving 5 HEIs from across Europe (Glasgow and Cambridge in the UK) and four global enterprises (AZ, Shell, BP, and Schlumberger) to support innovation amongst postdocs and encourage entrepreneurial activities. Queen's Postdocs were exclusively invited this year to take part. 3 Postdocs attended the Fair gaining valuable training in negotiation, pitching and design thinking methods, whilst helping to build business and interpersonal networks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://www.p2i-network.eu/enterprise-fairs |
| Description | Prof John Lambert Visit (Sept 2018) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Intended purpose of the visit was to increase the number of new relationships with industrial partners and introduce engagement and new links for the Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence. A demonstrative showcase of research within the PMCOE and the broader CCRCB, was highlighted to Prof John Lambert ( ImmunoGen). Prof Lambert provided an Innovation Showcase seminar whilst at the university to enlighten our early stage researchers on the transition from academia to industry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2018 |
| Description | Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, 5th August 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr McConnell (QUB) met with Dr Andrew Skalsky, Rady Children's Hospital, to present information on the work of the Northern Ireland Cerebral Palsy Register and the VeNS feasibility study. Dr Skalskey is interested in use of the VeNS headset for children with cerebral palsy or brain injury / concussion, and would be content to facilitate further research at Rady Children's Hospital. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Twitter account for Immersive Tech network @digitalMHNet |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | To update the general public regarding network activities and potential areas for collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | http://twitter.com/hashtag/digitalmhnet?src=hash |
| Description | University of Tennessee, Memphis, 8th August 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr McConnell presented preliminary results of the VeNS study to the paediatric obesity group at the University of Tennessee Health Science Centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Visit to Campden BRI |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Researchers from QUB Institute of Global Food Security visited Campden BRI to learn about available facilities and resources with regard to food composition and product development. Several areas of mutual interest were identified with regard to dietary intervention studies, new product development and sensory testing. Partners are actively seeking funding to support future academic-industry collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | YES 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | With support from the Queens Postdoc Development Centre, P2D funded five Queen's postdocs to participate in the Young Entrepreneurs Scheme 2018, entering in the GSK led Biomedical Workshop. Teams attended presentations from leading figures in industry on all aspects of knowledge exchange and the commercialisation of ideas. Participation in this event raised awareness of innovation and commercialisation, introducing early stage researchers to the potential of scientific entrepreneurship. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://www.yescompetitions.co.uk/ |