International Institutional Awards Tranche 1 Manchester
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: School of Medical Sciences
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.
Organisations
- University of Manchester (Lead Research Organisation)
- Maastricht University (UM) (Collaboration)
- Stockholm University (Collaboration)
- University of Valparaiso (Collaboration)
- University of Washington (Collaboration)
- Heidelberg University (Collaboration)
- Tokyo Institute of Technology (Collaboration)
- European Spallation Source (Collaboration)
- Institut Laue–Langevin (Collaboration)
- University of Bonn (Collaboration)
- University of Bordeaux (Collaboration)
| Description | Accelerating enzyme evolution using deep learning algorithms |
| Organisation | University of Washington |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The project involved the development of deep learning algorithms, trained on large datasets of sequence-activity data, to accelerate enzyme design and engineering campaigns. We specifically focussed on the development of a new family of SNAr biocatalyts. SnAr processes are commonplace in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The development of biocatalytic solutions to this important class on transformation will allow the development of new selective and streamlined synthetic routes to key target products, minimizing waste generation of the use of harmful/toxic solvents. |
| Collaborator Contribution | George Roberts (PDRA) generated the experimetnal dataset and travelled to visit the collaborators in Washington University (USA), at the Insitute for Protein Design, to communicate the work to the partners. Whilst there he also underwent training in state of the art protein design techniques currently being utilised in the collaborators laboratory |
| Impact | During the project funding was secured for an EPSRC Interational Centre-to-Centre Partnership between the University of Manchester and the Univeristy of Washington (project collaborators). Industrial funding has also been secured for two PhD positions, one supported by Syngenta and one by the CoEBio3 Industry Network Work carried out as part of this project was included in a manuscript that is currently in the final stages of the review process in a high ranking journal. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Forging long-term links with the Centre for Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Wellbeing, Valparaiso, Chile |
| Organisation | University of Valparaiso |
| Country | Chile |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | This enhanced the existing international research collaborations between the UoM and the PUCV through application of institutional research strengths for the development of a therapeutic monoclonal antibody for UC treatment in collaboration with the UoG. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The project serves as a template for extended collaboration between PUCV (and the Chilean network focused around Prof Altamirano's government-funded centre) and the wider UoM research community (focused around Prof Dickson) |
| Impact | There will be a manuscript directly resulting from this work but it is too early to give details |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Genomic occupancy of HD transcription factors |
| Organisation | Heidelberg University |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | HD (homeodomain) proteins play a crucial role in shaping the bodies of all animals. HD transcription factors are the structural class with the largest number of disease-associated mutations in the Human Gene Mutation Database. Despite their importance, the mechanisms by which HD transcription factors function remain poorly understood. This project has generated data related to the genomic occupancy of HD transcription factors, which contribute to our understanding of how HD proteins select their target genes to orchestrate development. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This project has generated data related to the genomic occupancy of HD transcription factors, which contribute to our understanding of how HD proteins select their target genes to orchestrate development. These data will be used as preliminary data in a Synergy grant application and have contributed to a manuscript currently in revision for EMBO Journal. |
| Impact | Prof. Nicoletta Bobola and Prof. Ingrid Lohmann plan to apply for Synergy grant (ERC) Nov 2025 Guest Professorship from University of Heidelberg for Prof. Nicoletta Bobola (accommodation and travel) |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Maastricht University, Volders |
| Organisation | Maastricht University (UM) |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | joint approach to identifying mechanisms by which arrhythmias are initiated in drug induced models of long QT syndrome |
| Collaborator Contribution | expertise, material goods for completing the in vivo experiments |
| Impact | EHRA Abstract (Diessler et al) |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Neuronal Scaffold interfaces: Exploring Isotopic labelling for enabling bioscience. |
| Organisation | European Spallation Source |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The collaborative interface between the Lawrence/Politis/Prince groups had been greatly enhanced by this project with exciting and novel findings where combined techniques are applied. Additional dimensions in the assembely of scaffolds at membrane surfaces resolved by combining imaging and surface science. Mass spectrometry is distinguishing in scaffold interfaces seen in structural experiments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to Mass Spectrometry Facilities (Politis Lab), access to surface science facilities (Lawrence lab) |
| Impact | Collaborative project grant application to UKRI (BBSRC) or EU (e.g. HORIZON-INFRA) to advance the project expected 2025 |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Neuronal Scaffold interfaces: Exploring Isotopic labelling for enabling bioscience. |
| Organisation | Institut Laue–Langevin |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The collaborative interface between the Lawrence/Politis/Prince groups had been greatly enhanced by this project with exciting and novel findings where combined techniques are applied. Additional dimensions in the assembely of scaffolds at membrane surfaces resolved by combining imaging and surface science. Mass spectrometry is distinguishing in scaffold interfaces seen in structural experiments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to Mass Spectrometry Facilities (Politis Lab), access to surface science facilities (Lawrence lab) |
| Impact | Collaborative project grant application to UKRI (BBSRC) or EU (e.g. HORIZON-INFRA) to advance the project expected 2025 |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Oral health protective and stimulatory role of novel natural coatings |
| Organisation | University of Bonn |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The main aim was to develop novel, natural, financially viable, and environmentally friendly approaches to maintain and restore oral health as well as to build an international partnership with the University of Bonn in Germany. The project contributes to the BBSRC Bioscience for Health research priority by proposing alternative strategies to prevent and combat microbial infections as well as by developing natural and sustainable approaches to promote health. The developed coatings are bio-based products produced using plant extracts, which are abundant and cheap sources of biologically active compounds. Therefore, the project contributes to the strategic priority of bioscience for renewable resources and clean growth, and to the UoM strategic actions of promoting responsible research and environmentally sustainable innovations. |
| Collaborator Contribution | 1 ECR from University of Bonn was the co-leader of the project. The ECR collaborated to the research proposal and development, and visited UoM for research activities. |
| Impact | We submitted a collaborative research proposal to the BONFOR Independent Research Project call from the University Hospital Bonn (Germany). The project title is 'From Biocompatibility Evaluation to Biomimetic Innovation: Addressing Toxic Byproducts From 3D-Printed Aligners' (total budget = 185,000€). We are continuing the research experiments so we can obtain consistent data to apply for ERC starting grant and/or BBSRC standard research grant. Research findings were presented in the annual meeting of the Academy of Dental Materials, held in Turin (Italy) from October 2-4, 2024 |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Promoting Japan-UK Collaboration in Biotechnology and Engineering Biology for Sustainable Futures |
| Organisation | Tokyo Institute of Technology |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | To materialise the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently formalised between University of Manchester (UoM) and the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) by leveraging the complementary expertise areas of biotechnology and engineering biology at both UoM and Tokyo Tech. Our collaborative efforts will contribute to sustainable futures and foster lasting academic ties between Japan and the United Kingdom. Engineering Biology and sustainable future are also one of the priority areas for the Japanese and UK government, with substantial funding expected in the near future. |
| Collaborator Contribution | By integrating cutting-edge scientific advancements from each institution, we seek to address critical challenges across various domains, such as advanced fine chemical production, and advanced materials. We will realise these challenges by using engineeering biology approaches which include computational systems biology and metabolic engineering. |
| Impact | Established new collaborations with researchers from University of Manchester and Tokyo Institute of Technology. This has been key to further apply to larger funding opportunities, for example the annual Core-to-Core Program funded by JSPS. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Single cell spatial-epigenomics to understand cell function at tissue level |
| Organisation | Stockholm University |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Developing new technologies to tease apart gene regulatory networks directly in tissue would provide critical information about how systems change in the context of their environment (e.g. development). |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to technological know how - development and design. New interactions have been critical to provide insight into how we develop new technologies for spatial omic biology. |
| Impact | This partnership has already been used to facilitiate a number of submitted grants to WT and MRC |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Using polygenic scores and long-read sequencing approaches to gain insights into pigment biology and to improve genetic testing for albinism |
| Organisation | University of Bordeaux |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | A key aim of the proposed project is to increase the diagnostic yield of genetic testing for albinism. We hypothesise that incorporating polygenic scores and long-read sequencing will increase the number of diagnoses by at least 20% (compared to conventional short-read sequencing analyses focusing on rare genetic variants). |
| Collaborator Contribution | This project will solidify and deepen existing links between our team Professor Arveiler's group in Bordeaux. Professor Arveiler is a leading expert in albinism and oversees the largest database of genotyped people with albinism in the world. His group has made a series of major contributions spanning the translational spectrum from basic science to clinical service delivery |
| Impact | Proposed grant applications in 2025: The ERC - Consolidator Grant (lead applicant: P.Sergouniotis) The ERC - Synergy Grant in (lead applicant: B.Arveiler) The Wellcome Trust - Discovery Research Award (CDA) (lead applicant: P.Sergouniotis) |
| Start Year | 2024 |