Nanoscale kicks for controlling stem cell behaviour and differentiation

Lead Research Organisation: University of the West of Scotland
Department Name: School of Engineering

Abstract

Doctoral Training Partnerships: a range of postgraduate training is funded by the Research Councils. For information on current funding routes, see the common terminology at https://www.ukri.org/apply-for-funding/how-we-fund-studentships/. Training grants may be to one organisation or to a consortia of research organisations. This portal will show the lead organisation only.
 
Description N.B. we are only 1/3 through this grant period. Initial experiments have been focussed on developing the nanokicking set up and evaluating the use of specially coated culture dishes with fibronectin, to promote adhesion of hematopoietic stem cells.
Exploitation Route Working with collaborative partners in the Centre for Cell Engineering (Glasgow) and liaising with industrial colleagues for using this technology in regenerative medicine.
Sectors Healthcare
 
Description This grant is supporting spin-out from Gravitational Wave research in the UK, into the field of cell biology and regenerative medicine (stem cell differentiation). Significant progress is being made to promote bone growth from mesenchymal stem cells, with huge applications within clinical tissue repair and treating degenerative conditions.
First Year Of Impact 2013
Sector Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology
Impact Types Societal,Economic
 
Description SUPA 
Organisation The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have contributed research outcomes, such as hyrdroxy-catalysis bonding. Another major area of contribution has been through lecture courses and workshops arranged through the SUPA Graduate School, and by arranging seminars by prestigious international visitors, and broadcasting them to all partners.
Collaborator Contribution Adopting a coherent approach to staffing strategy, research training, research initiatives and funding opportunities, SUPA™ pools and enhances Scotland's strongest physics research areas and will develop as a world leader in physics, creating the largest group of physics researchers in the UK. It is also intended as a single "front door" for potential staff, sponsors, and industrial collaborators. Major research themes being pursued are physics and life sciences, energy, astronomy, condensed matter and materials physics, nuclear and plasma physics, particle physics and photonics. The alliance brings together internationally leading physics research across Scotland to form the largest physics grouping in the UK. Enhanced links with the Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh, have provided access to equipment and expertise, and continue to provide opportunities for extending research horizons, e.g. through the application of techniques we have developed for core research to other areas of astronomy.
Impact Philip Leverhulme Prize Research Merit Award SUPA Studentship MP FS AH MB SR Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2008 Appearance on Radio 4 programme "In our time" Appearance on BBC One Countryfile Regular visits to local schools Public lectures at Science Centres and Science Festivals Events for International Year of Astronomy 2009 Lectures to amateur astronomical societies Meet the Scientist @ Glasgow Science Centre Science @ the Scottish Parliament Astronomy's New Messengers Icarus at the Edge of Time CPD Training for schoolteachers ScienceFace Scottish Science Advisory Council Technology Development Hydroxy-catalysis bonding for technology applications Hydroxy-catalysis bonding for research Fused silica suspension fibres for application in technology Fused silica suspension fibres for gravitational wave detectors Berlin 2009 GWADW 2009 Amaldi 2009 RAS NAM 2009 GWADW 2009 RAS NAM 2008 Texas 2008 Moscow 2008 Schuster Colloquium Elizabeth Spreadbury Lecture RSE Gunning Victoria Jubilee Prize Lectureship Wolfson Research Merit Award Tannahill Lecture and Medal LISA International Symposium Stanford OECD Global Science Forum India New Worlds Portugal PASCOS 07 London LEOS Montreal Rencontres de Moriond Italy Frontiers in Optics, OSA, San Jose Visiting Professorship Jena STFC Particle Astrophysics Advisory panel Physical and Engineering Committee of ESF SSAC Chair GWIC Chair STFC Panels Royal Society Research Grants Panel Trustee RSE RSE Fellowship Committee IoP Awards Committee Deputy Chair PPAN RSE Grants Committee RSE Sectional Committee Stanford-Scotland Photonics Member STFC Science Committee PPAN SUPA Astro theme leader PF PhD FB PhD KC Ugrad LO Ugrad RD Ugrad LM Ugrad LMac Ugrad AB Ugrad EWB Ugrad DF PhD ST Staff BL Staff HW PhD KB RA SF Staff KS staff LSF staff ZP Ugrad DH PhD RU Ugrad NH Ugrad MC Ugrad SL Ugrad NG Ugrad CS PhD OB PhD OB PhD MB PhD EJ Ugrad RM Ugrad RW Ugrad SJ Ugrad SL Ugrad
 
Description Reid, Evening Times article 02/07/2014, entitled "Top honour for Scots scientist", 2014 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/top-honour-for-scots-scientist-169495n.24642902
 
Description Reid, IOP and BSF public lecture, Glasgow, 2014 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Huge interest in talk from participants. This was the first ever public talk on nanokicking.

Many questions at end of talk.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://www.astro.gla.ac.uk/users/martin/ioplect/lecture3.pdf
 
Description Reid, Paisley Express article 04/07/2014, "Uni space expert over the moon over new role", 2014 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014