Southampton Imaging: 3D imaging at millimetre to nanometre scales for regenerative medicine using multiple complimentary modalities
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Faculty of Medicine
Abstract
Regenerative medicine aims to make tissues and organs to repair damaged and diseased tissues and restore the body to its original health. It uses stems cells and precursor cells that, under exactly the right conditions, will change into the specialized cells needed to repair the tissue. Scaffolds upon which the cells can grow and be guided are used to help organize the cells into the right structures. We are now in a unique position to create new soft and hard tissues (e.g. liver, neural, cartilage, bone) to help aid treatment for all. Important in this goal of moving to clinical application will be to ensure the new formed tissue is completely safe.
One of the most important factors that determines the effectiveness and normal functioning of a tissue is the way it is structured or arranged (the architecture of the tissue- like a bridge). This tissue architecture is important at many different scales, from individual cell components to the large scale organization of structures such as bones or blood vessels and nerves supplying the organs. Therefore to understand the appropriate structures required and check that the tissue constructs made are performing correctly we need to be able to 'see' these by using microscopic imaging at different magnifications. Because the cells and tissues are three-dimensional (3D) structures, we need to see how they fit together in 3D to understand their architecture - in the same way we can understand how the elements of a building fit together and function effectively in 3D by walking around it.
This application is for three imaging systems specially designed to create 3D images of tissues and scaffolds at 3 different scales. The highest magnification is provided by a scanning electron microscope combined with a microtome- this gradually removes very thin (<50nm) slices from the sample imaging the surface that is revealed after each slice. This creates a stack of images representing the structure of the cells down to the components making up the cells and the fine detail of scaffolds- with this technique the membranes within the cells can clearly be seen. The next level of magnification uses a light microscope that shines a very thin sheet of light (4-10 micro meters). This allows us to look at much larger blocks of tissue (up to a cm cube - a sugar cube) without cutting it and again create a 3D image stack to represent this. Individual cells are easily seen and they can be labelled so we can identify cell types and track them over time. However there are some samples that light will not penetrate or that are too large - for these samples the third instrument, a high resolution microCT (computed tomography) imaging device is used. This uses X-rays to image through large samples without damaging them and the design of this new instrument can allows us to distinguish individual cells and some of their features in a way that is not currently possible.
These systems will add to the wide range of existing imaging facilities in Southampton that are supported by 12 expert imaging staff. The existing expertise in sample preparation and biological image interpretation is essential for these cutting edge imaging techniques to be used effectively. An additional problem in 3D imaging at all scales is the very large digital image sets that are produced- each taking large amounts of storage; 50-1000Gb (equivalent of 10-200 DVDs each!). Southampton University is a world leader in advanced computing and image processing - we already have state of the art computing hardware and software. In this project we will work with our collaborators in the University to further develop these specifically for the processing and analysis of images of regenerative medicine samples.
We expect regenerative medicine to transform human health over the next 10-30 years and in order to fulfill this promise as quickly and safely as possible it is essential we can image the generated structures and tissues.
One of the most important factors that determines the effectiveness and normal functioning of a tissue is the way it is structured or arranged (the architecture of the tissue- like a bridge). This tissue architecture is important at many different scales, from individual cell components to the large scale organization of structures such as bones or blood vessels and nerves supplying the organs. Therefore to understand the appropriate structures required and check that the tissue constructs made are performing correctly we need to be able to 'see' these by using microscopic imaging at different magnifications. Because the cells and tissues are three-dimensional (3D) structures, we need to see how they fit together in 3D to understand their architecture - in the same way we can understand how the elements of a building fit together and function effectively in 3D by walking around it.
This application is for three imaging systems specially designed to create 3D images of tissues and scaffolds at 3 different scales. The highest magnification is provided by a scanning electron microscope combined with a microtome- this gradually removes very thin (<50nm) slices from the sample imaging the surface that is revealed after each slice. This creates a stack of images representing the structure of the cells down to the components making up the cells and the fine detail of scaffolds- with this technique the membranes within the cells can clearly be seen. The next level of magnification uses a light microscope that shines a very thin sheet of light (4-10 micro meters). This allows us to look at much larger blocks of tissue (up to a cm cube - a sugar cube) without cutting it and again create a 3D image stack to represent this. Individual cells are easily seen and they can be labelled so we can identify cell types and track them over time. However there are some samples that light will not penetrate or that are too large - for these samples the third instrument, a high resolution microCT (computed tomography) imaging device is used. This uses X-rays to image through large samples without damaging them and the design of this new instrument can allows us to distinguish individual cells and some of their features in a way that is not currently possible.
These systems will add to the wide range of existing imaging facilities in Southampton that are supported by 12 expert imaging staff. The existing expertise in sample preparation and biological image interpretation is essential for these cutting edge imaging techniques to be used effectively. An additional problem in 3D imaging at all scales is the very large digital image sets that are produced- each taking large amounts of storage; 50-1000Gb (equivalent of 10-200 DVDs each!). Southampton University is a world leader in advanced computing and image processing - we already have state of the art computing hardware and software. In this project we will work with our collaborators in the University to further develop these specifically for the processing and analysis of images of regenerative medicine samples.
We expect regenerative medicine to transform human health over the next 10-30 years and in order to fulfill this promise as quickly and safely as possible it is essential we can image the generated structures and tissues.
Technical Summary
Increased aging populations pose new challenges and emphasize the need for approaches to augment and repair tissue lost through aging, trauma or disease. Regenerative medicine promises to deliver specifiable replacement tissues. As living tissue is inherently 3D, comprehensive quantitation of cell interaction, differentiation and tissue architecture necessitates the use of 3D analytical platforms with appropriate resolution, structural differentiation and volumetric analysis capabilities, along with time resolved, ex vivo and in vivo capabilities. Southampton Imaging offers an open access resource to imaging these tissue constructs pre- and post-implantation, vital to understand and validate the tissue structure and function.
To deliver appropriate tissue resolution we request a Gatan 3View system to produce nanometer scale 3D image stacks by electron microscopy, able to visualise cell organelles and local cell-scaffold interactions. This will be complemented by a LaVision light sheet microscope, capable of imaging blocks of up to 1 cm cube substantially extending the depth and volume that can be imaged. This would for example include representative vascular networks that can be specifically labelled by immuno fluorescence or affinity methods. The platform allows non-destructive imaging of smaller live samples and critically reduces the light flux permitting long-term imaging of live tissues and cell migration in 3D tissues. Together with an Xradia ultra-high resolution microCT with phase contrast imaging, we will be able to image large volumes of tissue constructs including bio-compatible matrices of all types as well as hard and soft tissue elements. The requested equipment will integrate with extensive imaging infrastructure (including 12 dedicated supported staff), computational and image processing capacity (including UK's most powerful supercomputer) providing a unique Image resource for the Regenerative Medicine community.
To deliver appropriate tissue resolution we request a Gatan 3View system to produce nanometer scale 3D image stacks by electron microscopy, able to visualise cell organelles and local cell-scaffold interactions. This will be complemented by a LaVision light sheet microscope, capable of imaging blocks of up to 1 cm cube substantially extending the depth and volume that can be imaged. This would for example include representative vascular networks that can be specifically labelled by immuno fluorescence or affinity methods. The platform allows non-destructive imaging of smaller live samples and critically reduces the light flux permitting long-term imaging of live tissues and cell migration in 3D tissues. Together with an Xradia ultra-high resolution microCT with phase contrast imaging, we will be able to image large volumes of tissue constructs including bio-compatible matrices of all types as well as hard and soft tissue elements. The requested equipment will integrate with extensive imaging infrastructure (including 12 dedicated supported staff), computational and image processing capacity (including UK's most powerful supercomputer) providing a unique Image resource for the Regenerative Medicine community.
Planned Impact
A multidisciplinary open-access 3D imaging service for regenerative medicine will substantially impact on the ability to provide and apply best cutting-edge practice in 3D imaging. We anticipate that project outputs will have significant bearing on the quality of life through improved regenerative medicine capability. By imaging the whole 3D structure of substantive tissue or implant volumes, it will enhance the development and implementation of effective biomaterial and implants. Quantitation of cell interactions, differentiation and tissue architecture necessitates the use of these 3D analytical platforms (X-ray, light and electron) with appropriate resolution including time resolved, ex vivo and in vivo analysis.
The extent and degree of detailed analysis possible with these technologies will also be improved, deepening understanding and reducing the time required to develop clinically effective tissue regenerative solutions. Critically, by building on extensive existing imaging facilities and expertise in the biological, imaging, engineering and computing domains the time from identifying a regenerative medicine imaging requirement to its application will be reduced. Shared experience and solutions in Southampton will allow data handling and analysis problems to be effectively provided, increasing the value of the data and reducing the time taken to appropriately analyse the images.
Our strategy is to share our data and the approaches developed and used for analysis with the wider scientific community to provide immediate access, enhancing collaboration and research.
We will also disseminate results at various stem cell, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and microfluidics meetings. The applicants engage with the regenerative research community and have collectively presented keynote and plenary lectures at over 30 meetings around the world in the last 2 years. The enhanced research capability proposed holds significant translational therapeutic potential. As part of our established Excellence with Impact programme, we will build on links with Business Fellows to promote innovative collaborations such as that already sought by Xradia in anticipation of the project (see letter attached).
The research team will work as part of an active multidisciplinary team of biologists, tissue engineers, bio-engineers and, where appropriate, with clinicians and industry. This equipment grant will contribute substantially to the training and development of the Regenerative Medicine community through accredited postgraduate courses and the ability to train researchers at the interdisciplinary boundaries of regenerative medicine and imaging.
In order to maximize broader impact to the general public, we will organize a number of educational outreach programmes (Oreffo as part of the Acellular Hub will bid for outreach funds available in the hub) building on our links to a new school education programme, the LifeLab Southampton. This invites local school pupils, their parents and teachers to experience laboratory-based experiments learn how lifestyle affects lifelong health. We will continue our active involvement with BBSRC & EPSRC public outreach. All applicants have enjoyed significant media coverage for their work with presentations on Sky News, BBC TV stations, Radio Stations and the national and international press and science press (The Engineer, Materials Today and Nature Middle East amongst others). We will continue to actively engage with the press to showcase Southampton Imaging.
The extent and degree of detailed analysis possible with these technologies will also be improved, deepening understanding and reducing the time required to develop clinically effective tissue regenerative solutions. Critically, by building on extensive existing imaging facilities and expertise in the biological, imaging, engineering and computing domains the time from identifying a regenerative medicine imaging requirement to its application will be reduced. Shared experience and solutions in Southampton will allow data handling and analysis problems to be effectively provided, increasing the value of the data and reducing the time taken to appropriately analyse the images.
Our strategy is to share our data and the approaches developed and used for analysis with the wider scientific community to provide immediate access, enhancing collaboration and research.
We will also disseminate results at various stem cell, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and microfluidics meetings. The applicants engage with the regenerative research community and have collectively presented keynote and plenary lectures at over 30 meetings around the world in the last 2 years. The enhanced research capability proposed holds significant translational therapeutic potential. As part of our established Excellence with Impact programme, we will build on links with Business Fellows to promote innovative collaborations such as that already sought by Xradia in anticipation of the project (see letter attached).
The research team will work as part of an active multidisciplinary team of biologists, tissue engineers, bio-engineers and, where appropriate, with clinicians and industry. This equipment grant will contribute substantially to the training and development of the Regenerative Medicine community through accredited postgraduate courses and the ability to train researchers at the interdisciplinary boundaries of regenerative medicine and imaging.
In order to maximize broader impact to the general public, we will organize a number of educational outreach programmes (Oreffo as part of the Acellular Hub will bid for outreach funds available in the hub) building on our links to a new school education programme, the LifeLab Southampton. This invites local school pupils, their parents and teachers to experience laboratory-based experiments learn how lifestyle affects lifelong health. We will continue our active involvement with BBSRC & EPSRC public outreach. All applicants have enjoyed significant media coverage for their work with presentations on Sky News, BBC TV stations, Radio Stations and the national and international press and science press (The Engineer, Materials Today and Nature Middle East amongst others). We will continue to actively engage with the press to showcase Southampton Imaging.
Organisations
Publications
Goggin PM
(2016)
High-resolution 3D imaging of osteocytes and computational modelling in mechanobiology: insights on bone development, ageing, health and disease.
in European cells & materials
Palaiologou E
(2020)
Human placental villi contain stromal macrovesicles associated with networks of stellate cells.
in Journal of anatomy
Palaiologou E
(2020)
Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy reveals novel intercellular connections in human term placental microvasculature
in Journal of Anatomy
Anup A
(2023)
Embracing ethical research: Implementing the 3R principles into fracture healing research for sustainable scientific progress.
in Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society
Black C
(2022)
Comparison of bone formation mediated by bone morphogenetic protein delivered by nanoclay gels with clinical techniques (autograft and InductOs®) in an ovine bone model.
in Journal of tissue engineering
Cidonio G
(2019)
Printing bone in a gel: using nanocomposite bioink to print functionalised bone scaffolds.
in Materials today. Bio
Laundon D
(2023)
Correlative multiscale microCT-SBF-SEM imaging of resin-embedded tissue.
in Methods in cell biology
Kanczler JM
(2021)
Endothelial Cells: Co-culture Spheroids.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Davies R
(2022)
Microvillous tip vesicles may be an origin of placental extracellular vesicles.
in Placenta
Title | Augmented Reality Apps on Smartphone |
Description | Augmented Reality apps for smartphone showing internal bone structure of mouse and bone defect models |
Type Of Art | Artwork |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | The apps enable participants to move around the objects in real time and get a 3D visualisation of the object. |
Description | Improved image analysis and biomedical imaging practice for local researchers. |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Description | Correlative In Vivo Fluorescence and Micro-Computed Tomographic Imaging of Tissue Structure and Function |
Amount | £563,092 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/S019480/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2019 |
End | 12/2020 |
Title | Micro-Focused X-Ray Computed Tomography (microCT / µCT) |
Description | A miLabs live animal imaging system (up to medium rabbit size) with both microCT and optical (fluorescence and luminescence) imaging in 3D and 4D, installed 2020 |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Improved capability and training of researchers in A miLabs live animal imaging system with both microCT and optical (fluorescence and luminescence) imaging in 3D and 4D, |
URL | https://www.southampton.ac.uk/biu/equipment/equipment/microct.page |
Company Name | Renovos Biologics |
Description | Renovos Biologics provides research tools for clients that develop regenerative medical technology, specialising in creating treatments for orthopaedic conditions. |
Year Established | 2017 |
Impact | The company continues to grow and has received significant Innovate UK funding in 2021-2023- yet to reach full potential as a spin-out university company. |
Website | http://renovos.co.uk |
Description | BBSRC GB Bioscience 2014 Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Large science festival over four days - reaching politicians and policy makers on day 1, school children on day 2 and public on days 3 and 4 Event held November 13-16th - over 6000 attended our stand over four days form school children to aged individuals, research councils and various education stakeholders |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/society/exhibitions/gb-bioscience-festival/scaffolds-cells-making-replacement... |
Description | Biomedical Imaging Unit and µ-VIS joint one day meeting on 3D Imaging fro Life Sciences |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Biomedical Imaging Unit and µ-VIS joint one day meeting - 3D imaging for Life Sciences The meeting set out to showcase the range and diversity of imaging available for life sciences research at these two University of Southampton core facilities |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Cheltenham Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 6-11 June - The Stem Cell featured at the festival and the team interacted with an estimated 1800 visitors - led to student interest in visiting our group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Cheltenham Science Festival - Central Exhibit in Discover Zone |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The Stem Cell Mountain featured in 'Doc Brown's Lab' (in keeping with the 2015 Back to the Future Theme) at the famous Cheltenham Science Festival Discover Zone. The team interacted with an estimated 1800 visitors over 6 days. Received feedback such as the following: "Great explanation from volunteers about the stem cell model. My Year 6 pupils could then explain the purpose of the model - great" and "That's how you teach science!" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/science/ |
Description | Invited Speaker - DASCS 2017 Conference, Odense |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | 2nd November 2017: Invited Speaker - DASCS (Danish Stem Cell Society) 2017 Conference, Odense - Skeletal Cell Based Strategies for Bone Repair - Opportunities and Challenges |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Invited lecture at the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit - Musculoskeletal Lecture Series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | Online Seminar: "Regenerative Musculoskeletal Medicine: Skeletal cell based strategies for bone regeneration from bench to clinic" on Tuesday 26th January 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Invited speaker - 2018 Croucher Program, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited speaker - 2018 Croucher Program - Stem Cells Biology and Regenerative Medicine -Location (Site): Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. Lecture 1: New approaches to skeletal cell based bone regeneration: repair, restore and recreate Lecture 2: Harnessing ex vivo and in vivo models to interrogate and validate bone formation strategies Lecture 3: Understanding anabolic and catabolic gene regulation in osteoarthritis |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.ort.cuhk.edu.hk/csc2018/index.html |
Description | Keynote Speaker - CDT Regenerative Medicine Conference, Manchester 12th July 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | This conference brings together the graduate students affiliated to the three CDTs in Regenerative Medicine (Leeds, Loughborough/Keele/Nottingham, Manchester) and represents one of the largest UK-based annual conferences in the area of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. The conference is broad ranging, encapsulating the scope of cutting edge research in regenerative medicine, with research themes including biomaterials, stem cell biology, tissue engineering, extracellular matrix and inflammation, gene and cell therapy and nanomedicine. Invited as a plenary speaker to give a 30 minute talk to share work on bone development and regeneration. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Keynote speaker at symposium in Spain |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Keynote talk "New approaches to skeletal cell based bone regeneration: repair, restore and recreate" to an audience of people working in Biomedical Institutes in Coruña and Santiago and students (Biology, Medicine and Masters students). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | LifeLab - School Interaction |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Poster Presentation |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Several schools involved in learninig about health, nutrition and disease risk - up to 100 Children involved Schools interested in continuing the programme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2013 |
Description | MRC/BBSRC Southampton Imaging launch |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The event was to launch Southampton imaging- as part of the UKRMP £1.17M award - to showcase the new tools and equipment in imaging available to the Regenerative Medicine Community, locally and Regionally, The event led ot signifcant collaborative research activity New grant collaborations - eg at least 2 new PhD studnetships based on the Imaging technology |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.southampton.ac.uk/southamptonimaging/ |
Description | NHS OPEN DAY |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A full day presentation on Scaffolds and cells - making replacement body parts in the lab at Southampton General Hospital- attended by over 1000 people Strong interest from children as a result of a new "Stem Cell Pinball" display built specifically for the event |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.stemcells.org.uk/ |
Description | National Science Week |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Several thousand visitied University of Southampton Science event- the Bone and Joint Musculoskeletal Activity drew approx 200-300 individuals who activelty participated (made models, discussed bone repair, handeled samples) in the last science week exhibition. Candidates asked specifically about Medicine Bachelor of Medicine programmes and how to apply. Patients asked if they could jopin clinical trials in the future as availalble for impaction bone grafting - so extremely positive feedback for the researchers on this project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2015,2016 |
Description | New Forest Show- Public Science Engagement |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Large Stand on Bone Research at the New Forest Show - Aim was to explain Bone Research undertaken at University of Southampton Bone and Joint Research Group- throughput of 100s of people over three days - sparked young children and school children interest in bone research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2016,2018,2019,2022,2023 |
Description | Open Conference "Stem cells for bone regeneration: state-of-the-art research and solutions" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited Speaker - Bonebank Conference, Odense, Denmark. "Skeletal stem cells for bone tissue regeneration.". The audience were peer scientists, clinicians and industrialist to inform, educate and debate developments in translational bone research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Postgraduate Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Scaffolds and cells - making replacement body parts in the lab - an exhibition showcasing the ability to harness cells and scaffolds - including 3D print technology for orthopaedic regenerative medicine applications Interest for future research projects and collaborations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.stemcells.org.uk/ |
Description | Scaffolds and cells - making replacement body parts in the lab - Exhibit at the BBSRC Great British Bioscience Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Engaged over 6500 visitors from across the UK as part of the BBSRC run GBBF. EPSRC grant generated the centre piece of our exhibit - the Stem cell mountain - a large interactive pinball machine built in collaboration with Winchester Science Centre to communicate the concept of Stem Cell Potential. In response to the feedback question 'Tell us something from your visit that you found particularly interesting' the answer 'Stem Cells' was one of the most frequently given. Through a conversation at this exhibition a talented international MSc student from Queen Mary's was inspired to commence a PhD project (self-funded) in my group. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Science Day at University of Southampton |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Science Day ('Stem Cell Mountain' & Bone regenerative medicine display') at University of Southampton - 14/03/15. (Open to the general public - 1000+ visitors) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2011,2013,2015,2016 |
Description | Southampton Science and Engineering Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 18 March 2017 - Stem Cell Mountain at the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival for 1 day. regional general public. predominantly families. Interest in students to visit our laboratories |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Speaker at UKRMP Conference UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited Speaker - Inaugural UK Regenerative Medicine Conference, London. "Size matters - Harnessing biomimetic materials for skeletal tissue engineering." The audience were peer scientists, clinicians and industrialist to inform, educate and debate developments in translational bone research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Speaker for Schools talk at Testwood College |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 19th October 2017: Talk to Year 9 and 10 students at Testwood Sports College |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Speakers for Schools talk at Oasis Academy Mayfield |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 21st June 2018 - Gave an interactive 25 minute talk "Stem cells - Building bone in the lab" to 55 14 and 15 year olds at Oasis Academy Mayfield |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Stem Cell Mountain at the Glastonbury Music Festival Science Tent |
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 | Stem Cell Mountain exhibit in shared Science Tent, mixed Festival audience (academics, post-docs, science specialists, general public, families and young people) Measure 1: visitors passing stand; 1100 per day = 5500 Measure 2: visitors interacting with researchers on stand; 500 per day = 2500 Engaged classically hard to reached audience. Quote: "I was considering doing a PhD at one point - I didn't think I'd reconsider it here" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Stem Cell Outreach Programme ( New Forest Country Show) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 25 - 27 July 2017 - Stem Cell Mountain outreach programme at the New Forest Country Show (general public, farmers, agricultural community) - led ot interest by students to visit our laboratories |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Talk at World Advanced Therapies & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2019 at Business Design Centre, London |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Gave talk on "Musculoskeletal regeneration harnessing preclinical models for tissue repair" |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Technology for Life Showcase at University of Southampton |
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 | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Knowledge exchange with policy stakeholders to inform, potentially, research directions in the future Following visit policy makers aware of the research activity of the group |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Thomas Hardye School Science Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A Dorset secondary school open day engaging 300 students with translational stem cell medicine. First experience of public engagement for several colleagues who reported great satisfaction with the experience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | http://www.southampton.ac.uk/per/university/roadshow.page |
Description | Wessex Medical Charity Talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Approx 80 attendees attended presentation - this resulted in extensive discussion and debate afterwards and over dinner Request for a repeat presentation for Wessex Charity |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2015 |
Description | Winchester Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Stem Cell Mountain at a three day up and coming science festival. Engaged largely family audience and science festival talk attendees Measure 1: visitors passing stand; 300 per day = 900 Measure 2: visitors interacting with researchers on stand; 150 per day = 450 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Winchester Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 29 - 30 July 2017 - Stem Cell Mountain at a three day festival. Engaged largely with family audience and science festival talk attendees - led ot gernerla interest in our basic research programmes |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |