Professor Loake’s lab was able to generate a fingerprint of the genes and proteins being expressed by these cells, which confirmed their stem cell credentials. The team had proven that the method did indeed isolate genuine plant stem cells from yew trees and that these could be grown in routine culture to produce paclitaxel.


This information allowed the company to confirm and validate its methods – proving that the techniques it had developed did lead to the consistent isolation of plant stem cells that could be readily grown in culture in a reproducible manner. Dr Young-Woo Jin, CEO of Unhwa Corporation, said: “The BBSRC CASE studentship programme helped us to initiate a research collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, enabling us to study cambial meristematic cells at the molecular level. “We anticipate that substantial information acquired through this research will promote continuous student recruitment through the BBSRC CASE studentship programme and expand our collaboration effort.”


Professor Loake said: “That initial interaction between industry and the University via a sponsored studentship


can be an ideal way to access expertise, techniques and state-of-the-art equipment which might not otherwise be available to an emerging biotech company. These relatively small-scale projects can deliver high-quality results that can seed further innovative research programmes.” Under an expanded collaboration deal signed in June 2011, this successful partnership is now being extended until 2016.


This will characterise these stem cell cultures further to understand the pathways that control the biosynthesis of paclitaxel, so that they can be optimised and manipulated to produce even more paclitaxel in a more efficient and environmentally sustainable way.


GET IN TOUCH For more details on how to establish your


Shona Cunningham Business Development Executive shona.cunningham@ed.ac.uk


own successful collaboration in biological sciences at the University of Edinburgh, please get in touch with…


A venture has spun out of the University that is developing a faster and more accurate diagnostic test for illnesses such as cancer. Read all about it on page 19


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