£1.5 million initiative to help shape UK’s infection transmission response


A new project that will give companies and research groups the opportunity to develop new approaches for tackling infection spread has been launched by UKRI. The Infection Innovation Consortium, iiCON, to be led by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, will support diverse cross-disciplinary networks to help create new concepts and solutions in disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital and automation, advanced humanised infection models and novel diagnostics to help contain and reduce infection transmission.


Professor Janet Hemingway, founding director of iiCON, said: “Combatting the transmission of infection is one


of the key health challenges of our time and one that is growing in urgency. As such, it’s critical that we leverage novel, disruptive technology to drive forward our collective efforts to tackle the spread of infection. We are particularly keen to engage individuals and companies who have not previously worked in this area.


“We hope this exciting programme will spark the formation of new cross-disciplinary networks and support participants to shape the future direction of our response to infection transmission – bringing forward novel concepts and approaches that may hold the key to unlocking this critical issue.”


With a first workshop session having taken place in Liverpool (March 14), companies and groups are still able to apply for a second event to be held in London on 9 May, which is intended to help spark ideas, foster innovation, and create new collaborative approaches to tackle this urgent challenge and drive forward novel projects.


Complementing the work of UKRI’s flagship AMR and epidemic preparedness programmes, the sandpits will look to pump-prime radical new approaches to tackling infections by engaging new communities and capabilities with the challenge.


iiCON lab (credit: iiCON)


Supported with £1.5 million funding from UKRI to bring new research communities together and support feasibility studies, the two networking events will shape the call for funding pots of £50,000 to £150,000 to test disruptive approaches to tackling infections. Network support grants of up to £50,000 will also be available.


Janet Hemmingway


The development of new antibiotics and companion diagnostics are out of scope for the new fund, as these are covered by the recently announced PACE initiative.


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SFI supports pioneering advances in biomanufacturing


Professor Sakis Mantalaris, NIBRT Principle Investigator and a leading figure in cell therapy research, has been awarded €4.88 million by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research Professorship Programme as a joint appointment with Trinity College Dublin, to facilitate a collaborative pioneering research programme to improve the biomanufacturing of cellular therapeutics.


Cell therapy, the transfer of living cells from one source or person to another, or into the same person after manipulation for a desired function, is increasing especially for patients with advanced cancers, immune or degenerative conditions, as the benefits are being realised. However, variability in cell quality, type and the process used to create them makes the product unpredictable.


Professor Mantalaris, in collaboration with Professor Nicki Panoskaltsis, from Trinity’s Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI) and St James’ Hospital, are working to mitigate this through creation of a platform to characterise and direct cellular heterogeneity through the understanding and control of metabolism throughout biomanufacturing in order to deliver improved clinical outcomes.


Professor Mantalaris also aims to bring a new Masters training programme in Advanced Precision Therapeutics & Biomanufacturing, in collaboration with NIBRT, St


Sakis Mantalaris (Credit: NIBRT)


James’ and The Irish Blood Transfusion Service to Trinity’s Graduate Studies Committee.


“I am delighted to have been awarded an SFI Research Professorship in the area of Cellular Therapeutics. Ireland is a global leader in the ‘knowledge-based’ biomanufacturing sector, which is being shaped by the emergence of novel complex personalised medicines, such as cellular


therapeutics. This award will provide a unique opportunity to integrate the academic excellence at Trinity College Dublin with the biomanufacturing excellence at the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) towards future clinical translation of cellular therapies at the St James’s academic campus,” he said.


Welcoming the award, Dr Darrin Morrissey, NIBRT CEO, said: “This significant research funding in an area of national strategic importance is testament to the forward thinking collaborative approach taken in recent years by NIBRT, Trinity College and TTMI at St James’ Hospital to attract one of the world’s leading researchers in cell biology and precision bioprocessing to Ireland. The SFI Research Professorship funding, supporting Professor Mantalaris to establish his team across the three institutions, is pivotal in developing Ireland as a leading global location for the development of these remarkable new cell-based medicines. We at NIBRT are thrilled and honoured to be co- hosting Professor Mantalaris and his high-impact research program at our state-of-the-art research facility.”


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Southampton to drive UK Quantum computing capability


The University of Southampton has been awarded around £32 million to launch two research centres that will work to develop the future of quantum computing and boost UK defence expertise. Announced by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the funding will be provided by the government, industry giants and small and medium sized enterprises along with some matching support from Southampton.


The centres intend to train PhD students to increase the talent pool of skilled innovators needed for Britain’s quantum technology and defence sectors.


The £18 million EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Technology Engineering will receive funding from tech businesses including Microsoft, QinetiQ, Riverlane and Oxford Ionics.


Its Director Dr Tim Freegarde from the University of Southampton, said the centre will be a crucial part of government plans to transform Britain into a quantum-


enabled economy by 2033.


He added: “Within 10 to twenty years, quantum technologies will be affecting our lives in diverse ways from faster mobile data and banking security to GPS-free navigation and locating pipes beneath the road.


“Our training centre will develop a new generation of graduates with the knowledge, skills and awareness needed to engineer new quantum technologies and put the UK at the forefront of the world’s quantum industry.”


The two new centres opening in Southampton are among 65 announced by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to train 4,000 PhD students across the next 10 years.


The £12.5 million Centre for Complex Integrated Systems for Defence and Security will train the next generation of leaders and experts needed to support UK safety and resilience. It will be funded by EPSRC, the Ministry of Defence and numerous industry partners, bringing together graduates and former military and policing


personnel, said Centre Director Professor Jordan Cheer.


“A strong defence and security industry is vital for the UK, and our centre will train a new generation who will work to keep Britain’s future safe.


“We are opening places to graduates, current sector employers and those transitioning from serving military or policing roles to drive forward research that will develop the complex technologies needed for the modern defence and security of our country.”


Experts from the University of Southampton have also been awarded funding for two additional doctoral training centres – one on mathematics for the future climate, hosted at Imperial College London, and another on acoustics at the University of Salford.


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