Heriot-Watt University - ISERD University Organization Type: University, SME (Small Medium Enterprise), Industry, other Heriot-Watt University Phone number: 0131 451 3037 Contact person:

Heriot-Watt University

Organization Type: University,

SME (Small Medium Enterprise), Industry, other

Heriot-Watt University Phone number:

0131 451 3037

Contact person:

Dr. Eitan Abraham Address: EPS - Brewster Building , Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK

E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.ib3.eps.hw.ac.uk

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: Heriot-Watt is a research-driven University encompassing the traditional areas of science and

technology. It is a relatively young institution that acquired its present status in 1966. In terms of ranking,

it is number 13 among some 160 UK universities according to the newspaper The Guardian. The

University is divided into Schools, and I belong to the one of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS). In

turn, EPS is made up of five research institutes and I belong to Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and

Bioengineering (IB3).

As suggested by the name, IB3 is a multidisciplinary institute whose ultimate synergy is Bioscience. It

groups chemists, engineers, physicists and biologists working on experimental and theoretical research

topics. IB3 has a unique complement of infrastructure and facilities required to engage in the highest

standards of research: world class cell biology, molecular imaging, atomic force microscopy, tissue/cell

culture and bioprocessing facilities, laser and optical laboratories, linked by a high speed data network,

all in one building complex. The flagship research area is bio-imaging. Other important areas include:

1) cancer research,

2) synthetic blood production,

3) 3D bioprinting,

4) non-invasive prostate testing,

5) portable bio-laboratories and

6) exploitation of the by-products of the whisky industry.

Topic of Interest (Please Specify):

☐ NMP 11–2015: Nanomedicine therapy for cancer

☒ NMP 12–2015: Biomaterials for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

☒ NMP 6–2015: Novel nanomatrices and nanocapsules

☐ PHC 3–2015: Understanding common mechanisms of Diseases and their relevance in co-Morbidities

☒PHC 11–2015: Development of new diagnostic tools and technologies: in vivo medical imaging technologies

☐ PHC 16–2015: Tools and technologies for advanced therapies

Proposed project idea, if….. In a joint collaboration with Loughborough University, we propose the creation of a Centre for Biomimetism that would encompass the activities of various reputed research Institutes across Europe. This Centre will group scientists and engineers from various disciplines. At present this concept is in an exploratory stage.

Keele University



University

Phone number:

00-44-1782-733314

Contact person:

Dr Divya M. Chari Address: School of Medicine, David

Weatherall Building, Faculty of

Health, Keele Campus,

Newcastle Under Lyme,

Staffordshire, ST55BG

E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.keele.ac.uk/

http://www.keele.ac.uk/istm/

staff/divyachari/

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: Located in the centre of England within easy reach of Birmingham and Manchester, Keele University is a world class campus-based university, committed to providing the highest quality learning and living experience for our students. Keele is a broad based University, offering a wide range of programs to a diverse body of 10,000 students across Health, Business, Science, Arts and Humanities. The University has enjoyed an impressive period of growth and development over recent years and is ranked amongst the World’s top 2% of universities. In the last 10 years alone, the University has invested £115million in its campus and infrastructure and is a top 10 institution for UK graduate employment and student satisfaction, in national tables. With a turnover of £120 million, Keele enjoys a world class research profile and an established international reputation for undergraduate and postgraduate provision. Research is conducted through five Research Institutes: - Environmental, Physical Sciences and Applied Mathematics - Science and Technology in Medicine - Primary Care and Health Sciences - Humanities - Social Sciences The Research Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine (ISTM) of which Divya Chari is a member bridges the interface between new advances in basic science and technology with medicine and clinical practice. In a single unit, ISTM brings together biological scientists, physicists, chemists, engineers, mathematicians, and clinicians from the UK National Health Service, under the following scientific themes: • Bioengineering • Regenerative Medicine

• Neuroscience (led by Dr Divya Chari) • Biomagnetics and Nanomedicine • Cell & Molecular Medicine • Diagnostics, Engineering and Proteomics • Applied Entomology & Parasitology • Health Services Research Unit • Sustainable Pharmacy In the UK Research Assessment Exercise 2008, 90% of the Institute's submitted staff were rated as international quality researchers, with 10% ranked as world-leading. The research facilities were commended as "internationally recognised, excellent standard", specifically noting the University's support for development of the Institute since 2001. ISTM members have active collaborations with universities throughout the UK, and over 35 countries in Europe, USA and the developing world. Members of the Institute have over 20 years’ experience of leading and participating in European Framework Programmes and other international networks, including a European Network of Excellence in Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell therapies. ISTM offers a high quality, supportive training environment for up to 100 research students on international, European or UK doctoral (PhD, DM, MPhil) programs. ISTM members provide Masters programs including Biomedical Engineering, Cell & Tissue Engineering and Molecular Parasitology and Vector Biology, which attract students from throughout the world. Please find further details at: http://www.keele.ac.uk/istm/



☐ NMP 12–2015: Biomaterials for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease




☒ PHC 16–2015: Tools and technologies for advanced therapies

Proposed project idea, if….. (i) Development of multifunctional nanoparticles for stem cell therapies (ii) Development of advanced implantable materials for spinal cord injury

Heriot-Watt University



Heriot-Watt University Phone number:

+44 (0)131 451 3340

Contact person:

Prof. Marc Desmulliez Address: School of Engineering and

Physical Sciences, Earl

Mountbatten Building,

Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK

E-mail: [email protected] Website: Misec.eps.hw.ac.uk

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: Heriot-Watt University is one of the leading high technology Universities in the UK with specialism in Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS). The School of EPS is made of 5 Research Institutes, and I lead the Institute of Signals, Sensors and systems, which attracted around £7.5M of research income this year out of a total of £12M for EPS. The research activities of EPS include microsystems, microwave engineering, robotics and autonomous systems, energy and signal & image processing. I lead the Microsystems Engineering Centre and my main activities include biomimicry, sensors for biomedical applications and novel manufacturing processes.



☐ NMP 12–2015: Biomaterials for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease XXX





Proposed project idea, if…..

1) Development of ultrasound transducer array for high resolution imaging t then end of a needle for in-vivo imaging and in-vivo pathology (neurosurgery). We are looking for Israeli companies for making a product of the resulting needle.

2) Development of a European Centre of Biomimetism with key Israeli Research Institutes. Emphasis to be put on naturally inspired manufacturing. This is in collaboration with Dr. Eitan Araham.

3) Development of ultra-sensitive magnetometer based on magneto-electrical materials as future instrumentation for the detection of early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Interested in companies or institute specialized in instrumentation for biomedical devices, clinical trials and product manufacture.

King’s College London



University Phone number:

+44(0)20 718 88370

Contact person:

Dr Rafael T. M. de Rosales Address: Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering King's College London 4th Floor, Lambeth Wing, St. Thomas Hospital, London, SE1 7EH. UK

E-mail: [email protected] Website: https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/port

al/rafael.torres.html

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: The Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering at King’s College London (KCL) is a

well-funded and equipped translational research division that pursues high quality, multidisciplinary

research in medical imaging at the leading edge internationally. The division is home to physicists,

chemists, biologists, engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians and clinicians working together in a

highly cross-disciplinary way to apply their skills to the development of all aspects of medical imaging.

There are several features that make this division unique in the UK:

1) The unusual blend of imaging clinicians and basic scientists provides the necessary clinical and scientific input to facilitate the translation of projects to clinical use.

2) The Division is situated in a hospital (St Thomas’ Hospital) one of the largest hospitals in the UK and part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC). This is one of the UK’s five AHSCs and brings together KCL and three successful NHS Foundation Trusts (Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital and South London and Maudsley), creating a centre where world-class research, teaching and clinical practice are brought together for the benefit of patients.

3) The Division provides access to all the chemistry, biology and imaging equipment necessary to carry out imaging (pre-clinical and clinical) and translational projects. It houses contiguous laboratories for chemistry, radiochemistry, molecular biology, tissue culture and histology research plus a pre-clinical imaging laboratory (with state-of-the-art nanoSPECT-CT, nanoPET-CT and 9.4 Tesla MRI animal scanners) and Biological Services Unit animal facilities (BSU).

4) The division has several clinical PET-CT, SPECT-CT and MRI scanners as well as the second clinical PET-MRI scanner in the UK (Siemens Biograph mMR) is currently being installed in the Division.

5) Imaging sciences staff has extensive expertise in PET-MRI and two preclinical systems are

https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/rafael.torres.html

https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/rafael.torres.html

available for this project. These unique scanners allow acquisition and co-registration of PET and MRI images at high magnetic fields.

6) PET and SPECT radioisotopes (64Cu, 68Ga, 99mTc, 111In, 18F, etc.) are readily available

7) The Division has a dedicated translational team including two translational radiochemists to place the production of new radiolabelled contrast agents on a GMP footing ready for first in man studies, a full time radiopharmacy regulatory affairs expert to oversee the regulatory approval process and quality control, and a medical physics team to help design clinical studies and analyse imaging data.


☒ NMP 11–2015: Nanomedicine therapy for cancer


☐ NMP 6–2015: Novel nanomatrices and nanocapsules




Proposed project idea, if….. We are interested in developing novel imaging tools for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We are interested in any collaboration where these tools can be used for the benefit of the project and/or generate new areas of research. For example some areas of current activity are:

- Methods for labeling and tracking therapeutic liposomes using PET imaging. - Novel methods to radioabel (PET/SPECT) and functionalise nanomaterials for imaging/image-guided

therapy. - Multimodal imaging nanoparticles (PET-MRI) for improving sentinel lymph node biopsies in

melanoma/breast cancer - Novel nanoparticle fluorination methods for 19F-MRI.

University of Nottingham




+44 (0)115 84 66073

Contact person:

Dr Franco H Falcone Address: School of Pharmacy The University of Nottingham Boots Science Building, Science Road Nottingham NG7 2RD

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.nottingham.ac.u

k/research/groups/allergy-

and-

infectiousdiseases/index.aspx

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity:

www.nottingham.ac.uk; www.nottingham.ac.uk/pharmacy

The School of Pharmacy is one of the most highly rated pharmacy schools in the UK, providing a four-

year undergraduate pharmacy course which leads to the honours degree of Master of Pharmacy

(MPharm). The popular MPharm course runs not only in Nottingham, but also at the University’s

beautiful Malaysia Campus where, in 2005, the School introduced the UK’s first fully accredited 2+2

MPharm course. On this innovative course students spend two years studying in Malaysia and two years

in Nottingham. The strength of the School is reflected in its success in the 2008 Research Assessment

Exercise when it was ranked 1st for quality, with 95% of its research of international standard and 35%

world-leading. The School has a strong reputation, not only for its collaborative research with major

players within the pharmaceutical industry but also for the innovative companies which have emerged as

spin-outs from research. Much of the School’s cutting-edge research is carried out in the £25 million

Centre for Biomolecular Sciences.

Our portfolio of multidisciplinary research is focussed on understanding and developing treatments for

some of the most complex and challenging diseases of our time. To help achieve this we have a global

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/allergy-and-infectiousdiseases/index.aspx




http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pharmacy

network of academic and industrial collaborators. The School's excellence in research was recognised by

the award of the 2007 Queen's Award for Enterprise in the Innovation Category for 'enhancing

significantly the development of new medicines'. The international quality of our academics and

researchers has also been recognized by a number of prestigious personal fellowships and awards,

currently including: an ERC Advanced Grant, an EPSRC Leadership Fellowship, a BBSRC David Phillips

Fellowship, two Wolfson Research Merit Awards, a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship, a

Nottingham Research Fellowship, several Marie Curie Fellowships and two EPRSC Doctoral Prizes.

The School has five major and integrated Research Divisions housed in state of the art modern facilities.

Researchers receive funding from the UK Research Councils and the European Union as well as charities

and industry. This funding helps us attract around 50 PhD students a year and supports many

outstanding postdoctoral researchers.

The Falcone Lab (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/allergy-and-

infectiousdiseases/index.aspx) has worked for the past 4 years on innovative nanomedical approaches.

This has involved collaboration with Astra Zeneca (development biomimetic nanoparticles for increased

gastrointestinal retention) and more recently with GlaxoSmithKline and Vectura. We are also developing

biomimetic nanoparticles for intracellular antibiotic delivery. Due to the commercially relevant nature,

much of this work has not yet been published. The Falcone Lab works closely together with other groups

in the School of Pharmacy (Dr Snow Stolnik, Dr Martin Garnett) with considerable expertise in

nanotechnology, polymer and colloid chemistry.





☒ PHC 3–2015: Understanding common mechanisms of Diseases and their relevance in co-Morbidities

☐PHC 11–2015: Development of new diagnostic tools and technologies: in vivo medical imaging technologies




Proposed project idea, if….. Development of engineered immunological nanosurfaces for targeting of inhibitory receptors on human mast cells and basophils and intracellular delivery of signal transduction receptors. Novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of asthma, mastocytosis and other (including rare) diseases involving activation of mast cells and basophils.

University of Kent




+44 (0)1634 202953

Contact person:

Dr. Bernhard F, Gibbs Address: Medway School of Pharmacy University of Kent Central Avenue Chatham Maritime ME4 4TB, UK

E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.msp.ac.uk/about/

staff/biological/gibbs_bernhar

d.html


http://www.kent.ac.uk; http://www.msp.ac.uk

The Medway School of Pharmacy Medway is a regional School of Pharmacy established in 2004 through

a unique partnership between the Universities of Kent and Greenwich. Except for the Head of

Department, academic members of staff have contracts with the University of Kent, which also

administers all research activities. The school is now one of the most highly rated pharmacy schools in

the UK (see: http://www2.gre.ac.uk/about/news/articles/2013/a2693-medway-school-of-pharmacy-

tops-the-country). It provides a four-year undergraduate pharmacy course, leading to a Master of

Pharmacy (MPharm) honours degree, as well as a three year Pharmacology and Physiology BSc degree

and several postgraduate degrees for pharmacists and bioscientists. The School has a strong research

reputation in the field of biochemistry, immunology, neuropharmacology and in the construction of

novel nanomaterials with several collaborations pharmaceutical industry and innovative companies.

Recently, the Gibbs Lab (http://www.msp.ac.uk/about/staff/biological/gibbs_bernhard.html) has

established an international consortium (NANOVAC) aiming to produce, optimize and test the biological

effects of nanoconjugates and nanovaccines with potential therapeutic applications for treating

inflammation, allergy and leukemia. Consortium members have already produced several key

publications dealing with the fundamental biological actions of gold nanoparticles and their use in

http://www.msp.ac.uk/about/staff/biological/gibbs_bernhard.html



http://www2.gre.ac.uk/about/news/articles/2013/a2693-medway-school-of-pharmacy-tops-the-country

http://www2.gre.ac.uk/about/news/articles/2013/a2693-medway-school-of-pharmacy-tops-the-country


specifically targeting allergic effector and leukaemia cells with signal transduction inhibitors. The Gibbs

group has longstanding collaborations with other groups in the Medway School of Pharmacy (especially

Dr Vadim Sumbayev; with whom Dr Gibbs shares several PhD students) as well as with the Falcone lab in

Nottingham and Prof. Levi-Schaffer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The group also has close

connections to the European Commission JRC in Ispra, as well as other NANOVAC consortium members,

both at our institution and overseas, with substantial expertise in nanotechnology (see:

http://www.msp.ac.uk/research/research-groups/nanovac-consortium.html).








Proposed project idea, if….. Development of nanoconjugates for specific targeting of human mast cells and basophils with signal transduction inhibitors as well as cell-specific stimulation of inhibitory signaling receptors. Novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of allergic inflammation and other mast cell/basophil-driven diseases (e.g. bullous pemphigoid, mastocytosis). Novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of leukaemia and other cancers using nanomaterials.

http://www.msp.ac.uk/research/research-groups/nanovac-consortium.html

The University of Edinburgh

Organization Type: University, SME (Small Medium Enterprise), Industry, other


+44 131 332 2471

Contact person:

Harriet Kemp Address: IGMM MRC Human Genetics Unit,

The University of Edinburgh,

Crewe Road,

Edinburgh,

EH4 2XU,

United Kingdom

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.hgu.mrc.ac.uk

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: Its role is to advance the understanding of genetic factors implicated in human disease and normal and abnormal development and physiology. The Unit’s programmes of work cover the themes of developmental genetics, common disease genetics, chromosome biology and models for human genetic diseases.








http://www.hgu.mrc.ac.uk/

Proposed project idea, if….. Still in exploration stage.

University of reading




+44(0)1183786119

Contact person:

Dr Vitaliy Khutoryanskiy Address: Reading School of Pharmacy

University of reading

Whiteknights, PO box 224

Reading RG6 6AD, UK

E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.reading.ac.uk/pha

rmacy/about/staff/v-

khutoryanskiy.aspx

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: Reading School of Pharmacy (Department of Pharmacy) is a part of School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

(SCFP); this brings together three thriving Departments that are each well-known for the breadth and significance

of their research. This interdisciplinary environment facilitates work that spans traditional barriers and has allowed

researchers to approach fundamental problems in new ways and undertake research of significant importance to

the pharmaceutical, health, food, chemical, agricultural and materials industries.

We have an excellent park of modern equipemt with refurbished laboratories housing HPLC, fluorescent

stereomicroscope, contact angle measurements instrument, Malvern Nanosizer, NanoSight nanoparticle tracking

analysis, texture analyser, isothermal titration calorimetry, FTIR, UV-visible and fluorescent spectrometers,

microwave reactor. Central provision of analytical instruments is available from Chemical Analysis Facility. It houses

NMR, FTIR, Raman, fluorescence and UV-visible spectrometers, spectroscopic mapping (FTIR and Raman), X-ray

diffractometry, environmental scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermal

analysis (thermal gravimentric analysis, differential scanning and isothermal titration calorimetries).

Dr Khutoryanskiy (VK) has researched broadly in the area of materials for pharmaceutical and biomedical

applications, with a particular emphasis on water-soluble polymers and hydrogels, mucoadhesive materials, stimuli-

responsive polymers and drug delivery. VK was the recipient of the prestigious 2012 McBain Medal (Royal Society

of Chemistry and Society of Chemical Industry) for his imaginative use of colloid, polymer and interface science in

the development of novel biomedical materials and for his work on mucoadhesion. He has published over 100

original research articles (among these 45 as a senior author), 7 reviews in peer reviewed journals, edited 2 books

and filed 2 patent applications. Since appointment in Reading in August 2005, VK has secured research funding in

excess of £2.5M from research councils, charities and UK industry. He successfully completed several BBSRC

projects (BB/E003370/1, 2007-2009; BB/FOF/PF/11/08, BB/FOF/289, 2009-2010) aimed at the development of

hydrogels. This research has resulted in the invention of a novel method for manufacturing hydrogels

(PCT/GB2011/050093), which attracted further interest and funding from ConvaTec Ltd with the aim of

commercialising this technology for manufacturing novel types of wound care products.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.reading.ac.uk/pharmacy/about/staff/v-khutoryanskiy.aspx



He currently supervises a BBSRC DTG studentship developing approaches to enhance permeability of ocular

membranes (e.g. cornea) with respect to small drug molecules. This studentship has already led to a number of

significant advances in this area, such as the elucidation of the mechanisms involved in ocular permeation

enhancement mediated by cyclodextrins and calcium chelating compounds (Molecular Pharmaceutics, 2013, 10,

756–762; Int. J. Pharm., 2014, accepted) and the development of novel in vitro and in vivo methods to probe ocular

retention and permeation (Macromol Biosci, 2014, 14, 225–234).

His research is also currently funded by the Leverhulme Trust (RPG-2013-017) exploring novel in vitro

approaches for testing mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. His collaboration with UK industry received BBSRC

funding through a number of PhD studentships: 3 BBSRC CASE studentships to work with Syngenta Ltd on the

development of bioadhesive agrochemical formulations (BB/J012440/1) and with McCormick Ltd (BB/K012029/1) on

mucoadhesive formulations for flavour retention; he is also a co-supervisor of a PhD studentship with Volac Ltd (to

start in October 2014) to formulate whey-fortified protein products. Other studentships were directly funded by UK

industry (ConvaTec Ltd and NanoSight Ltd).

Dr Khutoryanskiy serves as a committee member for UK and Ireland Controlled Release Society (UKICRS) and

Formulation Science and Technology Group (FSTG, Royal Society of Chemistry). He was involved in organising

various national conferences and session chairing, including organisation and chairing of a UKICRS annual

symposium (April 2013) and Recent Appointees in Polymer Science (RAPS) conference in the University of

Reading (September 2009). He also serves as a member of EPSRC peer-review college and member of editorial

boards for several journals (Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Journal of Physical and Chemical Gels and

Eurasian Chemico-Technological Journal).









LIF-NanoRx



SME

Phone number:

44 (0)1223 570716

Contact person:

Dr Su Metcalfe

Dr Andrew Lynn

Address: 10 Fendon Road

Cambridge

CB1 7RT

UK

E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

Website:

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: LIFNano Therapeutics is a Cambridge, UK company formed to commercialise groundbreaking treatments for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. By developing treatments that help restore the body’s ability to protect, tolerate and repair itself, LIFNano is striving to address the most burdensome and costly conditions for patients and healthcare systems today The Company is pioneering cell-free treatments that help restore the body’s own ability to maintain a balance between immunoprotection, self-tolerance and self-repair. Developed over the past ten years at the University of Cambridge (UK) and Yale University (USA), these treatments are based on alternative applications of the same targeted, sustained delivery technology that underpinned BIND Therapeutics’ successful 2013 IPO. Being entirely free of cells, LIFNano’s products avoid unwanted immune responses and biological contaminants, have long shelf lives, and can be produced using conventional manufacturing methods. These features make LIFNano’s treatments compatible with well-established regulatory and reimbursement paths, reducing uncertainty en route to market.








Proposed Project Idea 1: LIF-nano therapy for treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. To collaborate with Professor Hossam Haick, Technion, founder of Na-Nose (SME focused on non-invasive biomarker tests). The collaboration will enable combining of two nanotechnology innovations that are highly complementary for treatment of Multiple Sclerosis:

• novel nano-therapeutic able to target disease sites to both (i) reduce auto-immune attack within the central nervous system, and (ii) induce repair of demyelinated lesions. • novel nano-scale "breath test" to monitor disease progression and response to therapy

2: Neurodegenerative Disease (NDD). LIF-Nano's technology is relevant to treatment of NDD, including Alzheimer's Disease, providing growth factor support in the form of a "nano-stroma" to the brain, delivered intra-nasally, or using simil-opiod-LIF-nano delivered intravenously. 3: Nano-stromal support for cell-based therapies. To support regenerative medicine approaches that use cell transplants - eg of human dopaminergic cells for Parkinson's Disease.

King’s College London (University)

Mediso (SME)



King’s College London (University) Mediso (SME)

Phone number:

+442071888370

+447882140944

Contact person:

Greg Mullen Address: St. Thomas’ Hospital, 4th Floor

Lambeth wing, Division of

Imaging Sciences

E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

Website: https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/port

al/greg.mullen.html

www.mediso.com

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: King’s College London, Division of Imaging Sciences Preclinical and clinical development of SPECT, PET and PET/MRI contrasts for Oncology, Cardiovascular disease and immunology Preclinical and Clinical direct and indirect SPECT and PET cell tracking Mediso Manufacture and development of preclinical SPECT/CT, PET/CT, PET/MRI and SPECT/CT/PET






https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/greg.mullen.html

https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/greg.mullen.html

http://www.mediso.com/





Proposed project idea, if….. Development of Ga-68 labelled proteins and peptides or molecular PET imaging Preclinical and clinical SPECT and PET cell tracking of immune, cancer and stem cells.

London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN)




+44 (0) 2031081644

Contact person:

Dr Joseph Ndieyira Address: 17-19 Gordon Street

London

WC1H 0AH

UK

E-mail: [email protected] Website: https://www.london-

nano.com/

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: The London Centre for Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary joint enterprise between University College London and Imperial College London. In bringing together world-class infrastructure and leading nanotechnology research activities, the Centre has the critical mass to compete with the best peer institutes world-wide. Research programmes are aligned to three key areas: 1) Planet Care 2) Healthcare 3) Information Technology and exploit core competencies in the biomedical, physical and engineering sciences








Proposed project idea, if….. To be defined between collaborating partners

Kings College London



CAR Mechanics Group Kings College London (University)

Phone number:

0044 (0) 2071881482

Contact person:

Ana Catarina Parente Pereira Address: CAR Mechanics Group

Research Oncology

3rd Floor Bermondsey Wing

Guy’s Hospital

St Thomas Street

SE1 9RT

London, UK

E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/index.a

spx

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: The CAR Mechanics group is part of Kings College London. We are an academic lab and our main aim is to develop novel T-cell immunotherapies for cancer. The main work developed by the group is on Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells. These are cells that are modified with CARs in order to target tumour antigens, without relying on MHC dependent recognition. Our most successful CAR T-cell, named T4, is about to be integrated into a Phase I Clinical Trial for squamous head and neck cancer patients. T4 targets the ErbB family members, which are aberrantly expressed in many solid tumours (such as squamous head and neck cancers, ovarian cancer, breast cancer or mesothelioma). An alternative new T-cell immunotherapy has been also developed by the CAR Team, based on gamma delta (gd) T-cells. These cells are well known for their activity as a first line of defense of our immune system. These cells have an anti-pathogenic and anti-tumural activity. What we do is to use the natural capacity of gd T-cells to recognize tumours and enhance their activity in vivo. Part of our work with gd T-cells is done in collaboration with Professor Alberto Gabizon, from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. We developed a new synergistic immunotherapy were we deliver Liposomal Bisphosphonates to the tumour micro-environment in order to harness the cytotoxic activity of gd T-cells against tumour cells. This approach has been tested in ovarian cancer, breast cancer and acute myeloid leukaemia cell models.








Proposed project idea, if….. We have a collaboration with Professor Alberto Gabizon since September 2010. Professor Gabizon is the Head of the Oncology Institute at Shaare Zedek Medical Center and a Professor at Hebrew University, Faculty of Medicine in Jerusalem. Professor Gabizon has also started a new biotech company named Lipomedix, for the development of new liposomal drugs and human Phase I Clinical Trials.

Professor Gabizon’s team develops the liposomes loaded with bisphosphonates and chemotherapy drugs. My role is to test the liposomes in the context of a synergy in a gd T-cell immunotherapy. The aim is to treat patients with Liposomal drugs, followed by an infusion of gd T-cells. We hope that this synergistic approach will enhance both chemotherapy and T-cell therapy. The main focus of the project was in ovarian cancer. But we are also testing the concept in breast cancer and acute myeloid leukaemia. Data already resulting from this collaboration has been written in a form of a paper and submitted to the Journal of Experimental Medicine. We now wish to further develop the gd T-cell based immunotherapy by optimizing the timing of delivery and dosage of the Liposomal drugs and T-cells. We aim to achieve the highest efficacy with minimum toxicity. The success of this project will lead to an opportunity to apply for a Phase I Clinical Trial, for the treatment of ovarian cancer patients that present relapsed disease. Furthermore, the same concept could be applied to other T-cell therapies, such as CAR T-cells.

University of Brighton



Brighton Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Brighton

Phone number:

+44 (0)1273642083

Contact person:

Prof Matteo Santin Address: Huxley Building Lewes Road,

Brighton BN2 4GJ

E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/r

egenerative-

medicine/index.aspx


Description. Led by Professor Matteo Santin, the Brighton Centre for Regenerative Medicine (BCRM) provides research and development (R&D) in a discipline aimed at the regeneration of diseased or traumatised tissues and organs using cutting-edge, minimally-invasive therapeutics.

Through breakthrough insights and innovation in biology, chemistry, nanotechnology, computer modelling, genomics, biomaterials and tissue engineering this research reflects the priorities of clinicians, industry and patients as well as experts in bioethics.

Research Areas. Biomaterials and tissue engineering for bone and cartilage regeneration (e.g. osteochondral defects, intervertebral disc degeneration, periodontal applications). Skin regeneration, cardiovascular applications and control of angiogenesis. Exercise for regenerative medicine (e.g. cell phenotypes and inflammatory cell activation pathways in stress and injury conditions and their role in tissue regeneration, ‘omics’). Extracorporeal devices. Biomaterials for cadaveric pancreatic islet transplantation, cell-based therapy (i.e. stem and differentiated cells), specialised substrates for cell culturing. Clinically-reflective in vitro models of pathological conditions. Nano-scale, nano-structured material for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions and cancer treatment. Biospecific contrast agents.Bioethical discourse in regenerative medicine, patient/public interest groups for sensitive science, art for regenerative medicine.

http://www.brighton.ac.uk/regenerative-medicine/index.aspx










Proposed project idea, if….. Biomaterial-controlled inflammation and tissue protection in Alzheimer’s disease.

University College London



University College London Phone number:

+44 (0)20-7794 0500 ext:

36679 (o)

+44 (0)7984876129 (mobile)

Contact person:

Dr. Wenhui Song Address: UCL Centre for Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine Division of Surgery & Interventional Science University College London 9th Floor, Royal Free Hospital & School of Medicine Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, U.K

E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://iris.ucl.ac.uk/iris/browse/profile?upi=WSONG66 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/surgicalscience

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: UCL is the one of the world’s leading universities. UCL won the largest funding allocation from the UK research councils in 2013 (£135m), 3rd highest allocation of EUC starting grants and has the greatest number of prestigious Doctoral Training Centres, with an income of nearly £900 m in 2012. UCL attracts the 3rd highest number of academic citations per faculty member in the UK showing the high esteem and relevance of the institution’s research, and ranked as the most productive research university in the UK. UCL Centre of Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine (UCL-CNRM), Division of Surgery and Interventional Science offers world class research and training in a wide range of subjects. Three majore themes defines the Division’s research interests: Tissue and Energy, Materials and Tissue, and Nanotechnology, all of which integrate basic, translational and clinical research through collaborations both within and outside of UCL. Main research areas: 1. Biomaterials and regenerative medicine

A range of biomaterials for both hard and soft implants

3D scaffold for tissue engineering

3D cell culture model

http://iris.ucl.ac.uk/iris/browse/profile?upi=WSONG66

http://iris.ucl.ac.uk/iris/browse/profile?upi=WSONG66

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/surgicalscience

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/surgicalscience

Biomanufacture and bioprocessing 2. Nanomaterials and nanotechnology

Nanoparticles for cell/cancer cell imaging

Nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery

Nanostructured sensors and devices for monitoring and treatments 3. Tissue and Energy:

Targeted, sensing and energy based surgical interventions to diagnose and cure disease, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, oesophagus cancer, liver cancer etc

Integrated molecular and cell science

Clinical trials Dr. Song Research Group:

1. Biomanufacture:

Design and fabrication of soft implants, 3D tissue scaffold by 3D printing, coagulation, extrusion, injection moulding, coatings.

Design and processing of polymer based complex nanoparticles for drug delivery

Processing nanofibres and nanostructured biomembranes by electrospinning, 3D printing, ultrasound atomization, dip-coating and foam process

Functionalisation of characterization of carbon nanotubes, graphene and other nanoparticles

2. Nanostructured Polymers and nanocomposites for Biomedical Engineering Applications:

Design and synthesis of polymers, biodegradable polymers and elastomer.

Block-copolymers and their blends for smart adhesives for medical and personal care products.

Biopolymer nanofibrious membrane for soft tissue scaffold, wound dressing and coatings of orthopaedic implants, implantable sensors and devices.

High performance hybrid nanocomposite implants and scaffold for tissue engineering.

Carbon nanotube based electronic devices as electron emitters for medical imaging and device applications

Conducting polymer and nanocomposites for bioenergy conversion and storage

3. Physics, Chemistry, Biophysics and Biochemistry of Biopolymers, Polymers, Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites:

Self-assembly of macromolecules, super-macromolecules and nanoparticles including biopolymers, liquid crystalline polymer, block-copolymers, conjugated polymers, carbon nanotubes, other nanoparticles;

Mesophase of polymers and nanoparticles;

Surface and interface of biomaterials and their related physic-chemical and bio-physi-chemical properties;

Conducting polymers and hydrogels and their electrochemical properties and their bio-conductivity



Cell and tissue targeting of siRNA using non-viral, biodegradable nanoparticles for liver cancer treatment


Injectable nanoparticle hydrogel with sustainable drug release


Design and manufacturing of nanocapsules by co-axial electrospray and counter current flow processing



Pre-targeted micro-/nanocapsules for ultrasound or Magnetic Resonance imaging of the early stage of

atherosclerosis


Non-animal 3D cell culture models for therapy development

Proposed project idea, if….. 1. Cell and tissue targeting of siRNA using non-viral, biodegradable nanoparticles for liver cancer treatment

2. Non-animal 3D cell culture models for biological cancer therapy development

University of Bath




+44 1225 38 44 69

Contact person:

Dr Ram Sharma Address: Department of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Claverton Down Bath BA2 7AY United Kingdom

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.bath.ac.uk/chem-

eng/people/sharma/

Organization Description & Main Areas of Activity: With a research portfolio of over £100 million, the University of Bath is one of the leading research-intensive universities in the UK. The University currently holds over €15.5 million in EU funding. Bath has extensive experience in managing European projects, both as partner and coordinator.

My lab’s research focuses on biointerfaces (nanomaterials, polymeric systems, cell-derived matrices) and how cells can integrate cues from them to elicit a specific cell response, as well as understand how it regulates cell behaviour. These can be biochemical, physical, or mechanical cues.


NMP 11–2015: Nanomedicine therapy for cancer

NMP 6–2015: Novel nanomatrices and nanocapsules

Possibly interested in two below if our work fits into the project:

MP 12–2015: Biomaterials for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

PHC 16–2015: Tools and technologies for advanced therapies


Our lab has expertise in various live cell imaging modalities to assess cell-matrix interactions that can

be used towards investigating mechanisms that regulate cell responses from nanomaterials such as: (1)

kinetic uptake studies demonstrating differences in nanoparticle uptake rate; (2) single particle tracking

to quantify differences in sequestration rates and internalisation of individual nanoparticles; and (3)

traction force microscopy of cells on nanomaterials.

Within the calls mentioned, our research has synergies within these calls:

NMP 11 Nanomedicine therapy for cancer

NMP 6 Novel nanomatrices and nanocapsules

For both calls, we could execute kinetic uptake studies from newly formulated nanomedicines (NMP

11) or nanocapsules (NMP 6) that might be used for cancer therapies, new drug delivery materials, or

applications for reversing a pathological phenotype. Our lab can perform single particle tracking of these

materials to estimate sequestration time and internalisation of individual nanocomplexes. Such high

level studies at the single particle level would provide insights on how uptake is regulated by surface

properties and composition of the nanomaterials. The biological competencies are also present in our

lab, and we could assess the up/down-regulation of surface markers, production of the extracellular

matrix, or expression of signalling elements.

Relevant to the second call, my lab could increase the quality of work by examining interactions

between cells and nanomatrices. The matrix regulates processes such as differentiation and disease

progression, and now being realised to influence cell contractility, which downstream can modulate the

phenotype. Nanomatrices have potential in various cell and tissue engineering applications. We could

implement traction force microscopy to examine (1) stem cell differentiation and (2) disease

progression/suppression and change in phenotype. These studies will elucidate the minimum force cells

must exert on the nanomatrices for directed differentiation, disease progression, or change of

phenotype towards healthy/wild type.

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Heriot-Watt University - ISERD University Organization Type: University, SME (Small Medium Enterprise), Industry, other Heriot-Watt University Phone number: 0131 451 3037 Contact person: