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The work of Colledge and colleagues between 2000 and 2007 has identified and characterised a molecule which is an important regulator of fertility: the neuropeptide kisspeptin.
The identification of its role in fertility has led to kisspeptin and its analogues being tested in clinical trials to make IVF treatment safer (Phase II: one trial), and as therapeutic agents for reproductive system conditions such as delayed puberty, menopause and absence of menstruation (Phase I: four trials). In April 2013, 11 months after the start of the Phase II IVF study, a healthy baby has been born to a participant treated with kisspeptin. Patients enrolled in these fertility trials have testified to the improvement in quality of life which the hope of being able to conceive that this alternative to conventional IVF has brought them.
The National Schools' Observatory (NSO) is a web-based resource based at LJMU that gives UK and Irish schools free access to their own observations from the world's largest fully-robotic telescope — the Liverpool Telescope. Giving its participants unique and privileged access not only to the instrument itself, but also to the astronomical research carried out by the telescope, the NSO is a powerful blend of cutting-edge research, professional instrumentation and education that inspires, motivates and supports the learning of pupils of all ages and their teachers. Since its launch in 2004 the NSO has reached more than 4,000 registered UK and Irish teachers and their classes, with 60,000 sets of observations requested by schools. The NSO has been recognised by the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee as "so important to inspiring the next generation of scientists" [Source 1].
This research into rich donors in the UK has impacted on the policies of both governmental and non-governmental bodies. Government policy shapes and incentivises philanthropic behaviour (e.g. through tax incentives), whilst charity sector bodies influence philanthropic norms and build trust: both have used this research to guide their policy and practice. Examples include the influence of the research on the content of the UK Government's Giving White Paper (2011); the decision to abandon the proposed cap on charity tax relief (2012 Budget); and the work of bodies who promote fundraising and philanthropy, for example, the Institute of Fundraising, Philanthropy UK and Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).
The impact of this research has been of commercial benefit for TgK Scientific Ltd, a Wiltshire- based SME, who have successfully commercialised a FT-IR Stopped-Flow instrument. This has achieved market share as a result of incorporating an innovative cuvette designed and fabricated by the University of Birmingham's School of Biosciences. The company has sold nine of these instruments since they were first marketed in 2008, generating ~£200,000 in sales. This has made a substantial contribution to the company's total sales, most obviously in 2012 where sales of four instruments accounted for around 10% of their ~£800,000 turnover. The instrument allows the study of fast biological reactions by rapid scanning Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The Birmingham contribution is a cuvette of a unique design that enables biological materials to be mixed and observed after 2-3 ms, allowing enzyme-catalysed reactions which have non- chromophoric substrates to be studied in physiological conditions. TgK have combined the cuvette with their stopped-flow drive system and a spectrometer produced by Bruker to make a complete apparatus; it is believed that this gives the instrument a unique functionality valued by a significant niche market.
Work at Birmingham by Peter Knowles and Fred Manby on improving the efficiency of calculating integrals for so-called ab initio calculations, widely used in computational chemistry, has led to a novel, fast algorithm for the accurate calculation of molecular energies and structures. It contains a level of theory, known as MP2, widely used in modelling by industry (pharmaceutical and chemical) as well as in academia. The new local approximation of the method, DF-LMP2, was developed at Birmingham and implemented in the MOLPRO package that has been sold worldwide, generating economic impact. A major attraction of the package is that MOLPRO can do a range of calculations efficiently, MP2 being one of them.
Research by David Unwin on extinct flying reptiles underpinned a successful bid to produce a 3D digital product backed by funding, principally from Sky, of more than three million pounds. This facilitated development of 3D film technology by the British film industry and resulted in a BAFTA award winning digital film `Flying Monsters 3D'. FM3D was hosted by David Attenborough, featured Unwin and was delivered via television, cinemas and the web. The film, which has generated revenues of more than $10 million, is primarily targeted at children and has helped foster positive attitudes toward natural history, the sciences and academic research.
This research on deinstitutionalisation and high quality community-based services has helped transform the political and public debate, informing the management of services and improving the quality of life of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by changing the practices and attitudes of staff. It has led to people leading more active and fulfilling lives and experiencing more choice and control. These impacts have reached far beyond the UK, extending to Ireland, Central and Eastern Europe, Australia and elsewhere.
University of Huddersfield research into knowledge engineering, domain modelling and machine learning has raised professional, industry and policymaker awareness of novel ways of designing more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable management networks. This is particularly the case in the field of transportation, where recognition of such techniques has significantly increased among stakeholders throughout the UK and across Europe. The research has been credited with informing a "step-change in thinking" and is now central to the £16m EPSRC Autonomous and Intelligent Systems Programme, which has attracted more than £4m in financial and in-kind support from hi-tech industries.
Microbiology research at NTU has helped worldwide to lower the risk of severe infections among newborn babies from consuming bacterially contaminated powdered infant formula. The work addressed widespread public concern over the emerging dangers of the bacterial pathogen Cronobacter spp. Our research findings have informed and facilitated improvements in methods for Cronobacter spp detection and the understanding of neonatal exposure routes and risk factors. In turn, this knowledge has contributed to safer production of the formula itself, changes in international legislation and regulations and, from 2008, the implementation of new World Health Organisation infant formula preparation guides.
Many of the millions of people worldwide with disfigurement face significant psychological challenges. Research at UWE's Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) has made a substantial contribution to the interventions and healthcare provision available for patients with the most common congenital disfigurement — cleft lip and palate — in the UK and internationally. Specifically, our research has underpinned: (1) The inclusion of psychologists as key members of all UK cleft teams; (2) The development of effective forms of psychological support and interventions currently in use by psychologists and charities across the UK and abroad; (3) The development of evidence-based training packages currently being used by practitioners across Europe.