Heather Hobbs NEWS&VIEWS Bringing you all the latest Business and Financial News and Views from the Science Industry Systems Aid Molecular Studies


workflow, including the Kingfisher Flex automated sample preparation system, the TSQ Vantage triple quadrupole and the UK's first two LTQ Orbitrap Velos mass spectrometers.


Dr Rune Linding, ICR (left) and Anthony Sullivan, Thermo Fisher Scientific


Thermo Fisher Scientific is supporting a team of scientists involved with the integrated network/biology initiative at The Institute of Cancer Research having equipped the institute’s new proteomics laboratory with a


"Typically, cancer research focuses on the function and behavior of individual genes or proteins," explains Dr Rune Linding, head of the cellular and molecular logic team at the ICR. "The ICR's effort aims to assess how networks of cancer cells interact with each other and surrounding tissues to metastasize, or spread, throughout the body. By modeling and simulating how cancer cells interact within the larger biological network, ICR researchers hope to achieve breakthroughs leading to new drugs or treatments that prevent metastasis - the process that claims the lives of about 90 percent of cancer patients."


Dr. Linding added that the new systems would enable researchers to study new aspects of cellular signaling networks and perform massive scale studies of the dynamics in these networks which he believed to understanding progression of cancer.


The chairman of the ICR's section of cell and molecular biology Professor Chris Marshall, FRS, added, "Furthermore, we think that the integration of data from mass spectrometry analysis with other data, such as genetic RNAi screens, will allow us to generate detailed models of processes such as invasion and metastasis. Such a detailed under - standing is important to start treating the signaling network as a whole rather than individual nodes, an approach known as network medicine."


TO FIND OUT MORE CIRCLE NO. ESA Launches UK Centre


Leading industrialists and academics from across the world have witnessed the launch of the European Space Agency (ESA)’s first ever UK base at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus (HSIC).


As part of a two day event (22nd and 23rd July), ESA saw for themselves the world- leading research and technology facilities already at the campus and at its sister Science and Innovation Campus in Daresbury.


Lord Drayson, the UK’s Minister for Science and Innovation, attended the launch event in London on 22nd July; attendees heard


how the ESA facility will focus upon three key areas: combining data and images from space to create new applications for everyday life; climate change modelling; and the development of novel power sources and innovative robotic technologies to explore space.


It is expected to be a key element of a much wider vision for the future of the UK’s fast- growing space economy, through the creation of an International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC) at Harwell.


During a visit to HSIC representatives from US


and European aerospace companies were shown the opportunities available through co- location onto the campus. On the same day, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) hosted a visit from ESA officials to the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, Harwell’s twin centre in Cheshire.


The aim of the Daresbury visit was to show how the campus’ successful collaborative and interdisciplinary approach is working in practice and to inform the future development of the ESA facility in the UK and the wider proposed ISIC project.


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Life Sciences Sector Applauds Blueprint for UK Industry


The UK’s life sciences trade associations – the Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI), the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), the BioIndustry Association (BIA) and the British In Vitro Diagnostic Association (BIVDA) – believe the package of measures announced recently by the Office for Life Sciences in its ‘Life Sciences Blueprint’ provide an excellent basis for firmly securing the future of the life sciences sector and re-establishing the UK’s global competitive position.


Significant measures for industry outlined in the Blueprint, - the result of six months of coordinated activity across four government departments working together with industry, the NHS and academia, - include: Measures that will allow patients faster access to innovative medicines;


the Agar Scientific Opens New Premises


Agar has relocated its business to modern offices and laboratories at the Frogmore- developed M11 Business Link in Stansted in order to meet future growth in a ‘built for purpose facility’.


By staying in the Stansted area, Agar was also able to retain its loyal and experienced staff. Managing Director, Steve Woodland, said “As a company involved in both UK and International trade,logistics is an important factor for us.


This site, with its good access to the airport and M11, was the ideal location. We looked


at other areas, but traffic congestion and staff commuting were both issues.”


“The quality of the accommodation was a big factor too. Available business space of the size we wanted tended to be on tired looking trading estates. M11 Business Link presented a striking contrast.


It was important that our parent company, Hartest Holdings Plc, felt comfortable that the new site gave us the right platform for our future, and Frogmore have been flexible and responsive to our fit-out requirements throughout the whole process.”


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establishment of NHS accountability to improve both uptake and engagement between industry and the NHS; the reinforcement of the need for greater emphasis on research in clinical trials in the next NHS Operating Framework; the possibility of a “patent box” tax incentive offering a lower rate of tax on profits derived from patents located in the UK to encourage the creation and exploitation of intellectual property; the launch by the Technology Strategy Board of an £18 million Regenerative Medicine Programme of investment to support key areas of commercial R&D and the development of R&D partnerships, supported by additional funding of £3.5 million from Research Councils; the establishment of a UK Innovation Investment Fund (previously announced on 29 June 09) to invest in technology-based businesses with high- growth potential, including life sciences companies, which will reinvigorate private investment in life sciences.


Commenting on the £18 million funding for regenerative medicine, Richard Archer, Chair of the BIA RegenMed Industry Group, said: “The funding announced by the Office for Life Sciences will provide a significant boost for this rapidly developing part of the UK life sciences sector. In combination with the other measures announced by the OLS, this funding will provide a solid foundation on which the UK’s regenerative medicine industry can grow.”


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