The school has supported industry and the public sector through programmes where both parties gain from the partnership. An excellent example of this is the TCS scheme. This scheme enables small to medium sized companies access to university expertise and talented graduates, through 2-3 year programmes, in which the major source of funding is the government.
Two programmes, with ABgene and Advanced Phytonics, have been established this year to develop cutting edge technologies into new products in the fields of molecular biology and particle engineering of pharmaceutical substances respectively.
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The school has engaged in a number of new research projects which have been fully or partly funded by industry. This work includes:
- respiratory research into disease related mucus secretion fully funded by GlaxoSmithKline
- research into drug delivery systems funded by Biocompatibles Ltd
- development of novel electrochemical sensors, co-funded by HEFCE and Topline electronics
- studies into pharmacy recruitment and retention, funded by the NHS
The diversity of these externally funded research projects mirrors the range of expertise present within the school that has enabled a flexible, creative and responsive relationship with the public sector and industry.
The school has also successfully led on creating and managing two large collaborative programmes of applied research funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Reserach Council (EPSRC), looking into the removal of toxins from the blood using advanced carbon haemoadsorbents, and developing new cardiovascular stents. These programmes, worth £670,000 are awarded to the school and involve a consortium of universities, companies and Hospitals.
