University of Cambridge Flexible Talent Mobility Account
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physiology Development and Neuroscience
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.
Publications
Sheehan H
(2020)
Changing times: Opportunities for altering winter wheat phenology
in PLANTS, PEOPLE, PLANET
| Description | The funding has provided early career researchers with opportunity to engage directly with industry and other non-academic partners to explore routes for their research and to develop their expertise whilst immersed in commercial research settings. Through placements the early career researchers have developed potential career pathways and established collaborations between the University and participating partner organisations which could enable future research projects and opportunities to leverage funding. Funding has also provide opportunity for early career researchers to engage with industry and non-academic partners to explore opportunities for collaboration and also to further develop skills acquired through entrepreneurial training. |
| Exploitation Route | The FTMA funding provides access to training programmes and the undertaking of placements to enable early career researchers to develop and enhance their technical and transferable skills to enable progression along their career pathway. It provides opportunity for industry engagement and the development of collaborations between academic and industry to progress research activities potentially through additional funding streams and also facilitates movement of researchers between academia and industry. For those involved in training programmes, they will have the opportunity to utilise their new skills to engage with other relevant funding sources including UKRI, or seek industry partners to develop their research. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Through placements and visits, direct engagement has been facilitated between several industry partners resulting in the development of industry-academia collaborations enabling industry to explore the importance of academic research in their commercial activities. There is potential for impact arising from placements with early career researchers applying their experience to future employment opportunities. Access to training programmes has equipped early career researchers with enhanced skills for industry engagement to potentially progress new technology and innovations. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Environment,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | Innovation Fellowship - LL |
| Organisation | Entomics Biosystems |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Postdoctoral researcher, Luca Livraghi received FTMA funds to spend three months working with Entomics Biosystems. His project aim was to investigate the applied genetics of the Black Soldier Fly utilising the extensive experience of insect genetics and molecular biology from the Jiggins lab in the department of Zoology. The project aimed to map the current insect breeding landscape and to test a proof of principle concept in the Black Soldier Fly to achieve efficient genetic transformation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Entomics Biosystems is an insect bioconversion technology SME based in Cambridge which is working in converting biomass wastes into insects as a means for nutrient upcycling and circular economy implementation across the food chain. Entomics have established facilities to support the strain development and GMO programme. The approximate value of the in-kind contribution was at least £3000. |
| Impact | The main outcomes of the project were to achieve efficient genetic transformation in the Black Soldier Fly, with an efficient protocol developed to use for in-house generation of germline transformants. The results obtained provided proof of concept data to include in collaborative funding applications to be submitted including LL as a researcher. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Postdoctoral placement award - HS |
| Organisation | National Institute Of Agricultural Botany |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Postdoctoral researcher, Dr Hester Sheehan, Department of Plant Sciences, received FTMA funds to spend 4 months at NIAB. Her project aim was to develop enabling resources for UK wheat breeding and climate change adaptation. HS specifically aimed to generate novel germplasm for the breeding of elite wheat cultivars working in collaboration wiht NIAB with RAGT Seeds Ltd and Velcourt Ltd. Due to limitations arising from the national lockdown imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic the project was adapted to limit laboratory based activities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The placement at NIAB equipped HS with technical skills in wheat physiology to enable her to develop cross wheat, design and analyse KASP markers and enhanced her knowledge in wheat breeding and understanding of the application of breeding to agricultural practice. In addition HS developed skills in quantitative genetics and bioinformatics to support the technical skills acquired. HS also had the opportunity to talk to breeders and agronomists to better understand different cropping activities and pressures of farming and the relevance of breeding activities to agriculture. |
| Impact | HS wrote a successful application to the NIAB Wheat and Rice Transformation Resource for a project to be undertaken by postgraduate students at NIAB and the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Cambridge. HS disseminated results through an internal communication at the NIAB Genetics and Breeding seminar and the quarterly bulletin Landmark. Publication of opinion piece : doi.org.1002/ppp3.10163 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Postdoctoral placement award -SD |
| Organisation | NovaBiotics Ltd, UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Postdoctoral researcher, Dr Stephen Dolan of the Department of Biochemistry, received FTMA funding to undertake a placement at Novabiotics Ltd to undertake a project aimed at uncovering the molecular targets of NovaBiotics anti-infectives targeting cystic fibrosis pathogens. This project built on SD's academic expertise and provided an invaluable insight into industrial research at a period of intense activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The placement was adapted due to the impact of the national lockdown in the Covid-19 pandemic. |
| Collaborator Contribution | NovaBiotics provided SD with access to equipment, consumables, industry expertise and samples to work with during the restrictions of lockdown. The use of virtual communication was invaluable in supporting SD and enabling completion of the project. The approximate value of this in-kind contribution is at least £2000. |
| Impact | SD has acquired skills training, expertise and an increased understanding of undertaking research in an industrial setting. An academic /industrial collaboration has been established between NovaBiotics Ltd and the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge with the potential to explore collaborative projects and leverage appropriate funding. |
| Start Year | 2019 |