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Imperial researchers in Prof Paul French's photonics group demonstrated one of the first practical FLIM instruments in 1997 using a prototype gated optical intensifier (GOI) developed by Kentech Instruments Ltd and a home-built solid-state ultrafast laser. They subsequently pioneered the use of ultrafast supercontinuum sources (USS) for FLIM. Today wide-field time-gated FLIM is a commercial success and is being widely applied for biomedicine, including for imaging of diseased tissue [e.g. 5] and for FRET (Fluorescence resonance energy transfer) microscopy to assay protein interactions [e.g. 3, 4]. This research thus helped translate FLIM to a wider community, highlighting the potential for tissue imaging, cell biology and drug discovery. It stimulated about £5M of GOI sales for Kentech [section 5, source A], with whom they developed time-gated FLIM technology and applications, and millions of pounds worth of sales of supercontinuum sources for Fianium Ltd [B].
The sale of Genapta Ltd. to a North American Instrument manufacturer was successfully completed in December 2008, with the release of the holdback payments and associated validation of its technology, as well as the transfer of know-how to the purchaser. The funds from the sale also benefitted the shareholders, including Cambridge Enterprise Ltd which was able to reinvest funds in new University spin-outs. Genapta was co-founded by David Richards, with product development between 2001 and 2008 of a fluorescence assay system for biochemical screening informed by his expertise in fluorescence detection, resulting from his research during this period.
Pioneering research at Essex developed an innovative mathematical method for determining the chlorophyll fluorescence parameter Fo', as well as novel LED lighting technology and a multi-plant imaging system. This instrument is marketed by Technologica. Originally an Essex spinout, the company has sold 42 units across Europe, Asia and South America since 2006, recording its highest ever profits over the past three years (totalling ~£115k). Essex's mathematical method for determining Fo' is also used by other manufacturers, who have since developed their own imaging systems. This research has helped to establish chlorophyll fluorescence imaging as a mainstream screening tool, now used globally to inform a range of crop production and handling strategies.
Since the 1990s, the threat from malevolent release of airborne pathogens has grown in military and civilian contexts. However, solid-state UV lasers, central to the preferred fluorescence detection technologies, were prohibitively expensive for use in `low-cost' detectors. In 2001, Hertfordshire researchers proposed an alternative based on inexpensive xenon flashlamp sources, commonly used in disposable cameras. Between 2001 and 2006, they developed and optimised this approach, with the resulting `WIBS' technology now a core part of the UK military's bioaerosol defence programme and patented worldwide. The technology's affordability also has led to its growing international use in areas such as atmospheric science, climate research, and occupational health. In 2012, a commercial licence was purchased by a leading US instrumentation company to exploit in the field of atmospheric and climate science; discussions with further licensees to exploit in other fields are continuing.
Research on fluorescent PET sensors by de Silva at Queen's University Belfast was directly, and collaboratively, built into the Roche/Optimedical OPTI blood electrolyte analyser, which has had sales of US$50M in the past five years equating to 10 million sensors sold. The market for this sensor is global and it is used every day worldwide in hospital critical care units, ambulances, general-practice surgeries and veterinary care, often in life or death circumstances. The research, therefore, has led to both economic impact as well as significant health benefits.
Fluorescent ligand technologies developed by Professor Hill and Dr Briddon in the Pharmacology research group, in collaboration with Professor Kellam in the School of Pharmacy, permitted biophysical analysis of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) at the individual cell and molecule level for the first time. The technologies have been commercialised through the spin-out business, CellAura Technologies (and their distributors Abcam, Sigma-Aldrich and others), generating revenues and making the products available to researchers and drug discovery communities worldwide. Custom product developments with global pharmaceutical companies and drug screening reagent providers have generated further partnership revenues and technology benefits. Nottingham-trained researchers are now employed worldwide, broadening the technology's impacts.
Research in protein folding and technological development at the University of Leeds led to the creation of Optim1000, a high throughput microlitre protein stability analyser, through Leeds spin-off company Avacta. Used in the early stages of R&D in the biopharma industry, Optim1000 evaluates the stability and homogeneity of complex biological drugs, using just micrograms of protein sample. This screening reduces the costly development and late-stage failure of unsuitable candidate therapeutics. The platform has been sold to a wide range of global biopharma companies; it is reported to reduce drug stability screening by months. This provides economic impact through saving the industry millions of dollars in R&D costs, along with health impact by speeding up the emergence of new products. Avacta reported revenue of over £3 million in 2012 and employs 70 staff.
Impact: Commerce and professional services; the development of Optical Projection Tomography (OPT) — a technique for three-dimensional (3D) optical microscopy.
Significance: A step-change in scientific imaging; novel equipment and training services for imaging laboratories, offering a new standard in 3D microscopy. Over £2M in sales for the MRC.
Beneficiaries: Scientific institutions and imaging facilities, commerce.
Attribution: OPT was developed, by Sharpe, Baldock and Davidson, and commercialised at the MRC Human Genetics Unit, UoE.
Reach: World-wide: OPT instruments are used in Europe, America, Asia and Australia; chapters on OPT can be found in major microscopy textbooks.
The commercialisation of Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) and the associated novel fabrication processes developed at the University of Glasgow has provided Compound Semiconductor Technologies Global Ltd (CSTG) with a new foundry product supplying quantum cascade lasers for gas sensing, safety and security, and military applications. This resulted in 40% turnover growth from 2010-2012 and the company is now recognised as a global leader in QCLs and their fabrication. Based on University of Glasgow research, the company has created a manufacturing toolbox for the production of a wide variety of QCL chip designs. CSTG has also achieved a world first, manufacturing QCLs for systems that detect explosives at a safe distance and can counter heat-seeking missile attacks on aircraft.
danceroom Spectroscopy (dS) is a cutting-edge, interactive public engagement project that allows people to literally step into an interactive molecular dynamics simulation. It has its origins in fundamental research carried out to understand ultrafast chemical dynamics in liquids. On a large scale, dS impact has arisen from its deployment in premier cultural settings in the UK and internationally, eg the London 2012 Olympics, London's Barbican Arts Centre, Ars Electronica (Austria), ZKM (Germany), and the World Science Festival (New York City). Statistics indicate well over 60,000 people have so far experienced dS, with audiences spanning ages from 3 to 73, and attracting those with a variety of interests including science, technology, art and education. Within the cultural and media sectors, dS has received several awards and substantial press attention, all of which has proven beneficial to several non-academic collaborators and partner institutions. The substantial momentum and opportunities available from dS are also being commercially exploited through a spin-out company called Interactive Scientific Ltd.