Annual Report 2020
HARNESSING THE UK’S ACADEMIC AND INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH IN BIOFILMS Foreword A FEW WORDS FROM OUR CEO
The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) is Research Council, Innovate UK and the Hartree Centre) still a relatively young organisation but I am proud have asked us to establish, namely: that we have achieved so much since our formation RESEARCH in late 2017. I reflect that our USA partner group, the Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE) in Our funding has allowed us to recruit 12 Montana, is celebrating its 30th year! Our ambition Interdisciplinary Research Fellows (IRFs) across our is to be equally enduring. We were formed to founding core four universities who are now all actively support and connect the biofilm community across engaged in a mixture of underpinning research and industry and academia in the UK. In the challenging collaborating with industry. circumstances we currently face globally, it’s clear INNOVATION that never has the importance of innovation and We have run three Proof of Concept (POC) calls, science been so critical. Contents receiving 144 applications from companies and From day one it has been our intent to behave in a research partners, from which we have awarded 65 NBIC ANNUAL REPORT 2020 national, inclusive and transparent way to benefit our POC projects, representing a £3.6m investment from community. Our primary focus as we mature is to NBIC and a total value of £5.4m. In addition, we have harness and translate the capability, knowledge and run 4 themed workshops resulting in policy papers technology in the prevention, detection, management and multiple industry/academic collaborations and Foreword and engineering of biofilms across the UK. We have connections. All of this is supported by a core NBIC PAGE 3 also worked to connect ourselves internationally, team including three field-based sector specialists who Section One - Our Vision and Achievements including forming alliances with the CBE in the USA and visit and connect our partner companies and research the Singapore National Biofilms Consortium (SNBC) so institutions. PAGE 4 that we are able to facilitate collaboration between our TRAINING Section Two - Governance Stucture academic and industrial partners beyond the UK. We have a cohort of 9 PhD students across our four PAGE 10 I am delighted that our membership now includes core universities for whom we are running a core Section Three - Research and Training Strategy 52 UK research institutions and that these academic Doctoral Training Programme, which is also available partners share our desire to collaborate and connect to our IRF group. We are proud to be running our first PAGE 12 with the (approximately) 250 companies we have talked entrepreneurial training and support programme in Section Four - Industry Engagement to and visited across a range of sectors. We aim to conjunction with Alderley Park. connect unmet industrial and commercial needs and PAGE 17 As we enter our third full year, I see that everyone possible scientific or technological solutions that may involved in NBIC across the UK is as committed as ever exist in our partners. We do this both through personal Section Five - International Strategy to our vision of delivering both breakthrough science introduction, and by sharing needs and solutions PAGE 23 and technologies to control and exploit biofilms, and across our network. to inspire the next generation of research leaders and Section Six - Case Studies We endeavour to build on three key pillars that entrepreneurs. PAGE 25 our funders (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences - MARK RICHARDSON, CEO, SEPTEMBER 2020 Section Seven - Proof of Concept (POC) Projects PAGE 31
2 3 The National Biofilms Innovation Centre NBIC’s vision is to create a truly pioneering and exists to create a fusion of world class national centre, by bringing together the original four lead universities (Edinburgh, Liverpool, Nottingham interdisciplinary research and industry and Southampton) and a partnership that has now partnerships to deliver breakthrough expanded to include 52 associate research institutions science and technologies to control and (RIs), support from a growing base of more than 250 exploit biofilms. companies, and an inclusive strategy to new companies and RIs. Biofilms are central to our most important global Our Vision challenges – from antimicrobial resistance and This brings an unprecedented set of capabilities, and food safety to water security – and exert significant a huge potential for innovation and collaboration that RESEARCH, INNOVATE economic, social and environmental impact. NBIC will allow us to lead on a global stage with the world’s leading biofilm research institutions. By combining our AND TRAIN was launched in 2017 to address these challenges collective talent, we will grow the next generation of and unmet needs, and bring together the best of UK research leaders and entrepreneurs, delivering growth research and businesses to drive the translation of and wealth creation in the UK and beyond. biofilm research into innovative solutions.
4 Our Achievements APRIL 2019, SECOND NBIC OCTOBER 2018, FUNDING OF 25 WORKSHOP HELD, SECOND SINCE 2017 NEW PROJECTS & GOING PROOF OF CONCEPT CALL INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHED & RECEIVED NBIC invested £1.4m – averaging £50k INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP per project – to 25 new projects from AWARD the first POC call – the total project Our workshop on Biofilm Engineering value, with company investment, was held in Edinburgh, bringing amounting to approx. £2.1m. together over 85 delegates from DECEMBER 2017, NBIC NBIC launched at the American academia and industry to discuss and SEPTEMBER 2019, NBIC ATTEND ESTABLISHED MAY 2018, PARTNER MEETING & Society for Microbiology in identify unmet needs and facilitate EUROBIOFILMS £26m investment from the 1ST WAVE ACCESSION Washington, and visited the Center DECEMBER 2018, >60 BUSINESSES collaborations. NBIC attended the Eurobiofilms Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Partner meeting in York brought for Biofilm Engineering (CBE) at AND INDUSTRY COLLABORATORS Our second Proof of Concept call was meeting in Glasgow. This was the first Research Council (BBSRC), Innovate together representatives from Montana State University – where a TO DATE launched – open to all members of meeting we’d attended as a full NBIC UK and the Hartree Centre with research institutions interested in AUGUST 2018, 2ND WAVE Memorandum of Understanding From large multinationals to SMEs, the NBIC consortium and industry team with our new brand. It was a additional funding from industry and joining NBIC. ACCESSION (MOU) was signed – declaring to NBIC continues to grow in its mission collaborators. JUNE 2019, 3RD WAVE ACCESSION great chance for us to meet our the support of 4 core partner 12 new research institutions join the Welcomed 15 new research work together, partake in student to control and exploit biofilms by We were also awarded £10k by 14 new research instutions joined the partners and make new contacts. We universities: Southampton, NBIC consortium, bringing us to a institutions to the NBIC consortium, exchanges and bringing research and industry BBSRC to host an international NBIC consortium, bringing us to a also had the honour to present at the Nottingham, Liverpool and Edinburgh. total of 16. taking our total to 31 institutions. knowledge transfer. together. symposium on ‘Microbes and Metals’. total of 45. final session.
2017 2018 2019
FEBRUARY 2018, KTN JUNE 2018, FIRST PROOF OF SEPTEMBER 2018, FIRST NBIC NOVEMBER 2018, WON BBSRC MARCH 2019, MOU SIGNED WITH MAY 2019, FIRST NBIC ANNUAL JULY 2019, SECOND PROOF OF BIOFILM WORKSHOP CONCEPT WORKSHOP & THEORY OF FTMA (FLEXIBLE TALENT THE SINGAPORE CENTRE FOR RESEARCH SUMMIT & CONCEPT CALL PROJECTS NBIC attended and launched at a KTN CALL LAUNCHED CHANGE ESTABLISHED MOBILITY ACCOUNT) AWARD ENVIRONMENTAL LIFE SCIENCES INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AWARDED workshop on identifying and Call for projects tackling biofilms First cross-sectorial workshop on one Won funding to facilitate PhD and ENGINEERING (SCELSE) ADVISORY BOARD (ISAB) A further 26 projects awarded prioritising industrial challenges and launched in the UK - open to all of NBIC’s 4 key strategic themes, Research Fellow mobility between We signed an MOU with SCELSE to ENDORSEMENT funding, bringing the total number of solutions in controlling and exploiting members of the NBIC consortium ‘Detect’ was held in Birmingham, with academia and industry. address global biofilm challenges The first NBIC Annual Research projects to 51 and a total investment biofilms. and industry collaborators. 70 delegates from academia and through collaborative projects and Summit was held at the Royal Society, of £2.79m from NBIC, with an overall industry coming together to discuss student and staff exchanges; we also where our researchers showcased project value of £4.05m. unmet needs. formed a close partnership with the their work and we received Our aims for the next 5 years were Singapore National Biofilms endorsement from ISAB regarding established in a comprehensive Consortium (SNBC), led by SCELSE, to our research strategy. Theory of Change model, with the further commercial opportunities ultimate long-term goal of increasing and drive technological the UK economy. advancements.
FEBRUARY 2020, FORMATION OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS TASK GROUP To address the rise in prevalence and NOVEMBER 2019, SOFTWARE AUGUST 2020, LAUNCH OF popularity of biofilm and microbiome FEBRUARY 2020, BIOFILM SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOP #BIOFILMAWARE CAMPAIGN technologies an international task MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP The Software Sustainability NBIC announced the launch of their group was formed. The first meeting of Our workshop on Biofilm Workshop brought together 20 biofilm awareness campaign. JUNE 2020, LAUNCH OF BITE MARCH 2020, INTERNATIONAL the task group was held in Virginia Management was held in attendees from seven UK Through a blend of content, events DOCTORAL COLLEGE TRAINING PARTNERING AWARD (USA), with delegates from SCELSE, the Nottingham. This workshop was universities, plus Unilever, at the and outreach activities The NBIC Doctoral Training Centre in NBIC received a funding award, Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE; aimed at exploring unmet industrial Malmaison in the heart of #BiofilmAware works to raise Biofilms Innovation, Technology and ‘Singapore: Building a globally leading USA) the National Biofilms Innovation needs in the field of Biofilm Birmingham. We ran this event awareness of NBIC and its research, Engineering (BITE) is launched. A partnership between the National Centre (NBIC; UK), and the Singapore Management. NBIC partner alongside the Software Sustainability and the many societal and economic world class integrated pipeline of Biofilms Innovation Centre and National Biofilm Consortium (SNBC), organisations shared their unmet Institute in a bid to raise awareness impacts of biofilms. The campaign interdisciplinary training, it is the UK’s SCELSE’, which enabled NBIC to along with representatives from needs and the 65 attendees (34 from of the need for sustainability in includes the introduction of the UK’s first graduate training centre to facilitate PhD and Research Fellow regulatory bodies industry) worked in groups to discuss software, particularly when it comes first #BiofilmWeek, to be held in July address the skills and knowledge gap mobility between academia and and agencies from the USA and the the key challenges and ways to to the potential risks to software 2021 to coincide with an NBIC event. in the biofilm field. industry. European Union. overcome them. reproducibility.
NOW, Over 150 industry 2020 partners and growing.
JUNE 2020, FIRST ONLINE MAY 2020, THIRD PROOF OF FEBRUARY 2020, FLEXIBLE FEBRUARY 2020, 4TH WAVE NOVEMBER 2019, SEPTEMBER 2019, SUCCESSFUL 2 ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING CONCEPT CALL PROJECTS TALENT MOBILITY AWARD ACCESSION MICROBE-METAL INTERACTIONS YEAR FUNDING REVIEW COHORT AWARDED NBIC awarded a second round of 7 new research institutions joined the WORKSHOP As part of the condition of the NBIC Run in collaboration with Alderley A further 14 projects awarded funding from BBSRC to support our NBIC consortium, bringing us to a Our workshop on Microbe-Metal IKC award, an external panel Park, NBIC members participate in a funding, bringing the total number of current Flexible Talent Mobility total of 52. Interactions was held in London. This reviewed the progress of NBIC 2 ½ day pre-accelerator programme projects to 65 and a total investment Award (FTMA) Account, with a call workshop brought together key against their Vision, Mission and Key to explore how to take their idea or £3.6m from NBIC and £5.4m total opening in September 2020, which complementary academic expertise Performance Indicators. The panel early business forward with the value when we also consider funds aims to fund innovation placements and thought-leadership from deemed that NBIC was making good chance to be funded by NBIC in a from companies either in cash or in and fellowships, perspectives and industry in biofilms, contamination of progress, the highest outcome that further mentored 8-week full kind. These awarded projects have knowledge, skills and expertise metal surfaces and biocorrosion could be expected. accelerator programme. involved 28 research institutions, 52 between the academic and industrial processes across the life and physical companies and of these companies, sectors. sciences and engineering domains 33 are SMEs. within NBIC, CBE and internationally in order to identify the key knowledge gaps and research challenges for future projects and research collaboration.
6 7 Building an International Community Theory of Change
OF BIOFILM RESEARCHERS NBIC STRATEGY & GOALS
FINAL GOAL: MEASURABLE IMPACT ON THE UK ECONOMY
LONG TERM THE UK’S RECOGNISED HUB FOR ACCESSING BIOFILM EXPERTISE, CAPABILITY, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION SCIENTIFIC, COMMERCIAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT CREATED INCREASINGLY RESPONSIVE TO SECTORAL CHANGES WITH BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATIONS
IMPACT & BENEFIT SUSTAINABILITY & LEGACY DIRECT OUTPUTS • Strong national infrastructure developed & • Research and innovation capacity • Science: Publications, IPs/patents, citations, facilities & services well-established Innovation Knowledge Centre (IKC) catalysed • Innovations: Completed projects to industry • Economic and societal value created • Continued funding (aim to win £40m) products and spinouts • Raised public awareness of biofilms and implications • Brand recognition • Increased academic-industry partnerships on public health • Critical mass developed from collaboration through workshops
MID TERM • ROI - created more value • NBIC roadmap for biofilms established
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES OVER INITIAL 5 YEARS
CONCISE OUTPUTS OVER INITIAL 2 YEARS
• Award >50 Proof of Concepts (POC) across various sectors, from health to marine, SMEs and large multinationals • Host 4 workshops across strategic themes to facilitate knowledge exchange, business assist and networking • Grow university and identified strategic partners with an expertise in biofilms research and innovation • Recruit >14 Interdisciplinary Research Fellows (IRFs) and establish the NBIC Doctoral Training Centre in Biofilms Innovation, Technology and Engineering (BITE) • Develop international collaborations with centres of excellence in biofilms • Raise awareness of NBIC and its mission at the ASM Biofilm Conference in Washington, USA and Eurobiofilms, UK
SHORT TERM • Establish key governance structures and a fully staffed operational team
INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TRAINING & OUTREACH RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION Establishing a joined-up UK research strategy aligned Providing interdisciplinary training through dedicated MSc, MRes Responsibly innovating in business through with UKRI and industry strategies and PhD programmes to develop the next generation of commercialising R&D to generate economic benefit scientifically agile, ‘industry-ready’ leaders in the form of increased market share, GVA and high Interdisciplinary working across research and sectors value jobs Delivering entrepreneurial training - from ICURe to SETsquared Achieving a critical mass and infrastructure capability (#1 university-led incubator in the world) or as appropriate Facilitating more industry-academic partnerships, with £5m flexible funding available to support Deepening scientific understanding of the Engaging with the wider biofilm community and media, regulatory between 80-120 projects over initial 5 years prevention, detection, management and bodies and policy groups, existing and new industry partners, KTN
ACTIVITIES engineering of biofilms workshops and the public through outreach events and Providing a connected innovation space for partners educational activities and industry to come together Investing early in new science that show 2-4 TRL (Technology Readiness Level) Host an international World Biofilms Summit to cement NBIC Supporting development of biofilm management as a centre of global thought leadership in biofilms technologies through translational Proof of Concept (POC) funding
OUR APPROACH All activities will be led by a forward-thinking, interdisciplinary approach, underpinned by excellence and our values; collaborative, transparent, innovative, flexible, responsive and responsible. Through collaborating to advance relevant research, training future academics and investing in innovation responsibly, our activities will build the environment and mechanisms to efficiently explore and solve unmet sectoral needs, develop strong networks, build roadmaps, influence key stakeholders (regulators, Our Key Objectives funders and society), exploit emerging breakthroughs and take advantage of new, diverse market opportunities estimated to be worth >£2bn by 2020. TRATEGY S
NBIC AIMS TO DELIVER HOW WE WILL DELIVER
PREVENTDETECT MANAGEENGINEER 1. World class science 4. Economic and societal value to the UK
FUNDING KNOWLEDGE & EXPERTISE ASSETS & CAPABILITIES OPERATIONAL TEAM 2. Meaningful and productive 5. The next generation of scientific £26m investment in NBIC from >100 researchers, including World class strategic facilities (worth A dedicated and growing NBIC interactions between academic and leaders BBSRC, Innovate UK and the Hartree scientists, engineers, technology >£300m) provided by university and operational team, providing Centre, 45 UK research translators and clinicians industry partnerships with leadership, management and
industry members EY INPUT S institutions/universities and support state-of-the-art research platforms support across partners and 6. Raised awareness of biofilm issues and K from industry (>100 businesses and such as Predictive Modelling, Next collaborators 3. NBIC sustainability opportunities growing) Generation Imaging & Sensing
8 9 Governance Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB) Consisting of the Chair, Neil Parry (Unilever), Stewart Consisting of the Chair, Hilary Lappin-Scott (Cardiff McKinlay (Smith & Nephew), David Bradshaw Structure University), Rikke Louise Meyer (Aarhus University, (GlaxoSmithKline), Kirsty Salmon (BP plc), Ken Johnston Denmark), Tom Coenye (Ghent University, Belgium), (Chilled Food Association), Steven Percival (5D Health GOVERNANCE AND Claire-Marie Pradier (Centre National de la Recherche Protection Group Ltd), Ian Archer (IBioIC) and Kevin Scientifique, France), Mark Van Loosdrecht (Delft ADVISORY BOARDS Peel (Kohler). University of Technology, Netherlands), Iñigo Lasa Business leaders from multinational companies (Public University of Navarre, Spain), Agneta Richter- and SMEs have been recruited to the Industrial Dahlfors (Karolinska Institutet and KTH Royal Institute Advisory Board (IAB) on the basis of their experience of Technology, Sweden) and Lars Dietrich (Columbia and knowledge of the biofilms industry across the University, USA). identified strategic sectors. The Terms of Reference Scientific leaders from international institutions have outlines their roles and responsibilities, which include been brought together to evaluate and challenge advising the Executive Management Team (EMT) on the scientific strategy of NBIC and its delivery and the development of NBIC, the industrial engagement implementation in the context of the international strategy for NBIC, NBIC funding calls and the development of the field. They advise the EMT on the commercial exploitation of the results of the research opportunities for exploitation of the scientific profile conducted through NBIC. Members of the Industrial and advances made by the centre. All ISAB members GOVERNANCE AND STRUCTURE Advisory Board (IAB) have been asked to enter into are bound by Terms of Reference, which outlines their an appropriate written confidentiality agreement to roles and responsibilities. protect the confidentiality of the information disclosed to them in respect of NBIC. NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD
INTERNATIONAL NBIC EXECUTIVE INDUSTRIAL SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT ADVISORY ADVISORY BOARD TEAM BOARD
OPERATIONAL SCIENCE MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT GROUP BOARD
Non-Executive Board (NEB)
Consisting of the Chair, Ceri Williams (University of Leeds), Kath Mackay (Bruntwood SciTech, Alderley Park), Fiona Lettice (University of East Anglia), Gordon Ford (Innovate UK), Neil Parry (Unilever), Laura Pritchard (UKRI-BBSRC) and Hilary Lappin-Scott (Cardiff University). Our governance and advisory boards provide NBIC with guidance and NBIC has established a Non-Executive Board of external members, which includes representatives advice on the direction of the centre and from the NBIC’s funders, International Science challenge the team. It is through regular Advisory Board and Industrial Advisory Board. The face-to-face or online meetings that our Non-Executive Board’s role is to guide the strategic governance and advisory bodies help direction and development, as well as having oversight NBIC to set out strategic direction and of the operation and management of NBIC and the implementation of the Consortium Agreement. All foundation for our research and Board members are bound by Terms of Reference, outreach activities. which outlines their roles and responsibilities.
10 11 Our Research Strategy NBIC’s research strategy is informed by our This includes: industry partners, leading to new projects that • A Data Management Plan (DMP). This is a shared data WORLD CLASS FUNDAMENTAL SCIENCE support the development of shared sector resource index for the biofilms community. A key roadmaps which identify a clear path to successful component of our DMP is to create an index of the data NBIC is addressing four strategic themes to Prevent, Detect, Manage, and Engineer biofilms by capitalising on world creation of value from biofilms research. class underpinning research and infrastructure to address sectoral challenges identified together with our industry generated and shared by the consortium that provides partners. It dedicates the resource of our 12 Interdisciplinary Research Fellows (IRFs) to support NBIC’s fundamental Key to this is that our IRFs, who are engaged in reference to the relevant Digital Object Identifiers and research and training strategy (60% time), and who also conduct focused collaborative industry projects (40% time). delivering our scientific priorities, also engage and points of contact to ensure data is easily identified, Our IRFs are working with industry, funders and policymakers to refine the national research and industrial strategy work with our industry partners, providing greater shared and accessed across the consortium. agenda, shape public funding initiatives and contribute to our strategy for industrial pre-and post-competitive connectivity across the innovation space. Adding • Mapping facilities and infrastructure across the UK. research. We are also developing a dedicated programme of training to build a pipeline of scientifically agile, value through integrating and connecting the national Our joint university and industry partnerships mean interdisciplinary, ‘industry-ready’ graduates. community and infrastructure connecting our four that world class strategic facilities and infrastructure core-funded universities – Edinburgh, Liverpool, are available and accessible to all NBIC partners. By Nottingham and Southampton – and our associated mapping these facilities across the community, NBIC INTERVENTIONAL THEMES partner institutions, provides a powerful critical provides a focus for connecting researchers and mass of capabilities and infrastructure that provides industry to the right expertise and infrastructure, additionality among the UK biofilms community. simplifying and accelerating knowledge transfer, and catalysing collaboration to address key issues in biofilms. We are currently creating an index and map of imaging capabilities and equipment across the UK that will be made available as a shared database.
PREVENT DETECT MANAGE ENGINEER
Knowledge-based design of Innovative sensing, tracking Kill, remove or control Control and direct complex surfaces and materials and diagnostic technologies established biofilms from microbial community exploiting their life cycle processes in process dynamics applications
12 13 The NBIC Doctoral TRAINING NEED DEPTH AND BREADTH Training Centre ACROSS DISCIPLINES PREVENTDETECTMANAGE ENGINEER PROBLEM-SOLVING IN BRINGING TOGETHER MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS Knowledge-based design Innovative sensing, Kill, remove or control Control and direct complex of surfaces, interfaces and tracking and diagnostic established biofilms from microbial communities in RESEARCH, TRAINING, materials technologies exploiting their life cycle process applications WORLD LEADING SCIENTIFIC dynamics AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE
OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WORLD CLASS RESEARCH PLATFORMS ACROSS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SITES ‘OMICS AND FUNCTION COMPLEX COMMUNITY INTERFACIAL AMR BIOINFORMATICS & ACTIVITY INTERACTIONS INTERACTIONS ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INNOVATION, IP PREDICTIVE NEXT GENERATION ENGINEERED INTERFACES TRANSLATION BIG DATA MODELLING IMAGING & SENSING AND MATERIALS
LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT SECTORIAL CHALLENGES RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION
GROWTH THROUGH BIOTECH PREVENT CORROSION IMPROVED HEALTH COMMUNICATION, IMPACT, AND BIO-REFINERY AND BIOFOULING OUTREACH
NEXT GENERATION IMPROVED CONSUMER The NBIC Doctoral Training Centre in Biofilms problem solving, as well as partake in student exchanges SAFE FOOD EMPLOYABILITY ENABLING TECH PRODUCTS Innovation, Technology and Engineering (BITE) was with international centres of excellence, attend summer established in early 2019. It is a world class integrated schools, joint-nature conferences, and secondments pipeline of interdisciplinary training, involving a and masterclasses showcasing frontier thinking. By partnership between the universities of Edinburgh, combining the expertise of four core universities, the Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton, alongside Doctoral Training Centre provides the synergy, critical Training international institutes and industry partners. It is the mass, and the breadth and depth required to deliver UK’s first graduate training centre to address the skills an ambitious training programme in biofilm science, BUILDING ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS and knowledge gap in the biofilm field. The first cohort engineering and technology. of nine students started in October 2019. Areas of specialisms NBIC provides entrepreneurial training for early career The Doctoral Training Centre draws on academic • University of Edinburgh researchers and established academics. We have supervisors from physical, mathematical, engineering, Soft and active matter biological physics; complex strong links to: life and clinical sciences within the partner universities fluids and rheology; HPC modelling; biofilms to provide a unique, multidisciplinary and inter- architecture; Synthetic and Systems Biology. Alderley Park Accelerator sectorial training experience to the next generation of research leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs, • University of Liverpool The on-site incubation and acceleration team specialises to deliver breakthrough science and technologies Functional surfaces and materials; Smart in the start-up and scale up of biotech and life science in this field. Graduates are supported to develop nanotechnology; Plasma engineering; Imaging; businesses by providing the programmes, networks broad innovation horizons and seamlessly transition ’Omics and Bioinformatics; Microbiorefinery; Infection and support required for success. NBIC have Jointly from research into technology and impact arenas. Control; Modelling for healthcare. run a pre accelerator programme for our community as a prelude to a full follow-on 8 week Accelerator Entrepreneurship Bootcamps are also offered, with • University of Nottingham programme for best performing pre-accelerator the most promising commercial projects progressed to Quorum Sensing and signaling; molecular recognition; graduates selected in a competitive process. the ICURe accelerator programme, part of SETsquared, drug discovery; polymer discovery; biomedical Innovation to Commercialisation of University rated the world’s best university business incubator. We engineering; AMR; modelling; Synthetic Biology; Research also partner with Alderley Park and their Accelerator Advanced Microscopy. Programme, to provide bespoke entrepreneurial The ICURe Innovation-to-Commercialisation programme training to our students. • University of Southampton Microbial ecology and evolution; AMR; Hybrid offers university researchers with commercially- The Doctoral Training Centre provides a unique and biodevices; Bioenergy; Host-microbe Interactions; promising ideas the ability to ‘get out of the lab’ and diverse environment to students, with opportunities Bacterial signal transduction; Imaging and detection; validate their ideas in the marketplace. From idea to to network with experts in other disciplines, engage in Translational biology; Clinically relevant biofilms. scale-up, SETsquared offer a comprehensive range of peer-to-peer learning and participate in collaborative programmes to help boost businesses to the next level.
14 15 Software Sustainability Institute
The 2019 NBIC workshop brought together that is accessible and reproducible, and to 20 attendees from seven UK universities, how software sustainability helps to drive plus Unilever, in a high-tech space at the data management, accessibility and reuse. Malmaison in the heart of Birmingham. We ran Speakers took into account the broad range of this event alongside the Software Sustainability experience in the room, with attendees ranging Institute (SSI) in a bid to raise awareness from microbiologists who work in Excel to of the need for sustainability in software, physicists coding agent-based simulations in particularly when it comes to the potential C. Breakout group responses were captured risks to software reproducibility. This had on flipcharts and on online forms. In some become particularly apparent when reading exercises the participants self-reflected on their the responses from the biofilm community own practice, and these thoughts were sent to to a BBRSC consultation on data intensive them following the meeting. bioscience in the summer of 2019. Having It was a successful day for both NBIC and the discussed the responses to the consultation, Institute, and feedback from attendees was we agreed to run a joint workshop to positive. Attendees came away with a range of spread some best practice, and to help both techniques and best-practice tips to improve organisations get an idea of how things stood the sustainability of their research software. in UK biofilms research and software. We are pleased to be planning further Data The event was held on 28 November and and Software Carpentry workshops in involved four breakout sessions and short collaboration with the SSI, with an aim talks throughout the day. The sessions of supporting and developing skills and introduced participants to the idea of software confidence to work with data. sustainability, to how to achieve software Industry Engagement
INNOVATION AND COMMERCIALISATION
NBIC exists in order to expand, catalyse Innovation partnering platform, hosted by Innoget. and harness the UK’s academic and Through our website, industry and academic partners will have exclusive access to directly post technology industrial strengths in biofilms for the calls and technology offers, respond to other members’ benefit of the UK. postings and generate connections and collaboration opportunities. Partners will also have a choice to access We aim to deeply understand unmet needs in our Innoget’s Open Science and Innovation network of industrial partners’ contexts and markets. Through over a hundred thousand experts to further explore engagement, we then aim to demonstrate the ability collaborations outside of NBIC’s partner consortium. of NBIC research partners to address these needs, hence driving opportunities for industry and academic The four workshops we designed and led have seen collaboration, investment and income. Our strategy is over 350 attendees with an approximate mix of 50:50 to match unmet industrial biofilm needs with possible academics and industry partners. These have all solutions in order to prove we have the right to be an taken the format of exploring the key unmet needs essential part of our industrial partners’ network or from industry, looking at how the current state of open innovation pipeline. We aim to listen, understand the science and technology landscape could address and explore needs and/or capabilities, and create and these requirements and in doing so develop a shared support connections. We find ways of progressing understanding of the opportunities and challenges. these connections, either through our own funding The outputs from our four workshops are summarised routes (Proof of Concept calls) or helping signpost to below. Three of these represent 3/4 of our key other opportunities. Each month we carry out partner international themes i.e. Detection, Management and searches where we aim to “match-make” an unmet Engineering of Biofilms. The last is a workshop we ran need to an opportunity or solution (mainly company on Microbe–Metal interactions in conjunction with to research insitutions) either via a personal contact the Center for Biofilm Engineering. Our 4th theme of through our innovation team or emails targeted to our Biofilm Prevention will be the subject of a workshop in wide network. In late 2020 we will launch our Open the next 12 months.
16 17 Key Findings Biofilm Engineering Unmet needs: • Developing improved model systems.
FROM NBIC WORKSHOPS • The need to engineer biofilms for benefit in a human • Improved methods for manipulation of an existing or an animal. biofilm are critical to achieve relevant end products or results. • Creation of a bespoke biofilm community for a Biofilm Detection defined process outcome or benefit. • Improved approaches for investigating, enhancing, Unmet needs: monitoring or studying biofilms in the engineering • Rapid, in situ, point-of-use context for a range of new setting. and emerging technologies. Challenges to overcome: • Biomarkers that are definitive for biofilms (e.g. blood, • The development and standardisation of experimental industrial fluids, other secondary media). and monitoring methods including real-time, high • To detect/ characterise when a biofilm transitions throughput, large scale and multi-variable. from a “healthy” to “unhealthy or “pathogenic” state. • To detect and confirm the presence of a biofilm in a standardised reproducible manner acceptable to regulatory agencies.
Microbe - Metal Interactions
Unmet needs: • Sensor technologies: Groups discussed the need for early detection and monitoring of biofilm formation • Achieving improved risk assessment, prediction, and Biofilm Management and MIC occurrence. Sensors are a key tool to achieve modelling (e.g. being able to predict and understand this but have to be deployable, accurate and sensitive Unmet needs: Challenges to overcome: where, when, and why biofilms form in a particular if they are to be of use to industry. system). • Fundamental research on understanding biofilm • Improved models and methods for characterisation, • Materials/coatings: Approaches that enhance a behaviour and control, to give us new leads and • The elucidation of coupled microbial metabolisms and visualisation and detection of biofilms: relevant (real surface’s ability to prevent biofilm formation are critical insights is required. potential novel bio-markers. Improved understanding world context), standardised and accessible. for addressing unmet needs. These could be improved of the interplay between microbes and the surface • Data centralisation and management. surface designs, treatments and/ or coatings. • Improved cross-disciplinary collaboration (industry/ may lead to identifying key markers. academia, regulators and cross-sectors). Next steps: • Creating improved methods for detection of biofilms • Clarification of pathways from industry regulators. and monitoring of systems (e.g. deployable, accurate, • A consortium with multiple industry and academic NBIC has a leading role to play here. sensitive biofilm/ corrosion sensors). partners is needed to move ahead and impact on the challenges identified. • Identifying improved concepts to prevent biofilm formation (e.g. new materials/surfaces/coatings to • Many of these are either training - based or exist in disrupt biofilm life-cycle dynamics). the precompetitive space and could be developed into a series of joint projects. Key areas of emerging science: The connections and support we create via our • Mechanisms and models of the metal-microbe workshops, visits and partnering can lead to a range interactions: In all fields of biofilm study including of collaborations, including fully funded joint projects microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) there is a between a company and an academic, a fruitful long- need for improved models that can truly recreate the term relationship or even an application to one of real-world situation or model it in such a way that our Proof of Concept (POC) calls. The value of these accurate predictions can be made and interventions associations is shown in the various case studies in this realistically assessed. annual report. • Surface science: Technologies for understanding the metal surface with the ability to measure, interrogate, visualise and modify it.
18 19 of the UK science and industry network. A number of Communications and Outreach Eurobiofilms 2019 other representatives from other countries approached us to discuss doing something similar.
RAISING AWARENESS OF BIOFILMS IN THE UK AND BEYOND NBIC HIGHLIGHTS Like the other sponsors and exhibitors, we engaged fully with the meeting and were made to feel very at In September 2019 the NBIC team attended the home and welcomed by everyone. Public Engagement and Outreach Eurobiofilms conference in Glasgow. This was the Gordon Ramage and the Glasgow team had put on a first meeting we’d attended as a full NBIC team. It was Public Engagement (dialoguing with the public about our research) and Outreach (raising science aspirations of great meeting in terms of the programme, location and a fantastic opportunity for us to meet our current events. The weather they couldn’t fix! children) about biofilms are extremely important activities to maximise the impact of NBIC, and for society to partners and make new contacts. gain an understanding of what biofilms are and how they relate to daily life. NBIC has a Public Engagement and The poster sessions were lively, the innovative We also had the honour to present at the final session Outreach Officer, and a Committee in place to support these activities. elevator pitch session fun, and we learned a lot and on Friday 6 September 2019 and it was wonderful to met so many new connections. We added over 50 see so many people in the auditorium nationally and We have conducted a wide range of activities across the UK (from biofilm dances to biofilms in a train station or new contacts and gained more than 60 new Twitter internationally wanting to hear about what we do, how IKEA), and we will keep doing this. We want to deliver our vision for Public Engagement and Outreach, laid out in our followers due to the event. Thank you to everyone who we do it and importantly why we do it! We are very strategy developed this year. We want to reach the public with an active interest in biofilms related topics (home came and engaged with us – we loved meeting you all. proud that the UK is leading the way with a community hygiene, healthcare, etc), inspire young people, and support everybody in NBIC with undertaking these activities. like NBIC thanks to the support of our funders and that We are continuously developing appropriate resources for wider use, and are leading and inspiring projects, for instance through our dedicated grant scheme, which offers up to £3000 for public engagement or outreach projects. Any NBIC affiliated individual/group can apply for this funding online, and they can also seek guidance and support directly from NBIC’s Public Engagement and Outreach Officer for their own projects.
Images courtesy of Goode Photography
Communications
We recently launched our #BiofilmAware campaign. Through a blend of content, events and outreach activities #BiofilmAware works to raise awareness of NBIC and its research, and the societal and economic impact of biofilms. A highlight of the campaign will be the introduction of the UK’s first #BiofilmWeek, to be held in July 2021 to coincide with an NBIC event. 400%. As part of our #BiofilmAware campaign, we have If you are interested in supporting the campaign, a launched NBIC Facebook and Instagram pages. range of digital resources are available on the NBIC website via the Campaign Hub. We have been looking at ways to improve the user experience, and traffic to the NBIC website. This has Visit www.biofilms.ac.uk/biofilmaware to download and included the introduction of a blog page, with some start sharing. fantastic contributions from NBIC team members and Since January 2020 our Twitter following has increased partners, the page currently ranks in the top 5 most by 65%, and our LinkedIn following by 265% - with our visited pages on our site. Please get in touch with us if overall social media engagement increasing by over you would like to contribute.
20 21 This would be particularly by clinics to treat disorders Energy and of both soft and hard tissues. Existing products are currently unaffordable imports to most of the Engagement population, resulting in avoidable suffering and poor clinical outcomes such as amputations or death. IN PAKISTAN Mark Richardson continued, “Detecting and managing biofilms and infection is a key unmet need – before joining NBIC I worked for 25 years in industry in the In March 2020 our CEO, Mark Richardson visited the wound healing field, so I appreciate how complex and Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF) Affordable costly current approaches are to solving this problem.” Healthcare Workshop in Pakistan. As a country of over 200m people, Pakistan has a 12% He was joined by our university partners from Lancaster, incidence of type 2 diabetes and around 7% of these Sheffield and Leeds to share our expertise in harnessing will have a foot ulcer at risk of infection and possible biofilms with healthcare professionals in the emerging amputation each year. Our NBIC network has an nation and attendees even had an unexpected brush invaluable knowledge of the relationship between with the President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi, following a biofilms and diabetic foot ulcers and during the visit dinner invitation to the President’s house. we were able to share this at the workshop to support The GCRF is a £1.5 billion fund launched by UK Research the research into the prevention of these problems and Innovation (UKRI) in late 2015 to support cutting- in Pakistan. edge research that addresses the challenges faced Both the UK and Pakistan’s Governments by developing countries. These challenges result in shared vision is to create affordable high- funding calls and ahead of an anticipated call involving quality healthcare products in Pakistan via indigenous UK and Pakistan, a three-day workshop was funded in sustainable resources with direct outcomes on patient Islamabad. healthcare. A common theme is the design, research Mark Richardson said, “I met scientists from Pakistan, and development of low-cost healthcare technologies Sri Lanka, Iraq and those thinking about science, that are clinically directed and for local need, based technology, patient involvement, policy direction and on simple cost-effective approaches for improving health economics – the energy and engagement was healthcare and the wellbeing of patients. amazing”. The workshop was a unique opportunity to work in NBIC The workshop brought together researchers, industry diverse teams, generate new ideas and share best partners and decision makers to create a joint UK- practice, which resulted in some exciting outline Pakistan programme of expertise to support the projects and as a result of this we’ve now created a INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY translation of clinical, bio materials and biological virtual working group with connections made during science to low-cost healthcare products and innovative the visit to develop a proposal and we hope to apply for technologies that could be used locally in Pakistan. a GCRF funding call soon. The overall goals and strategic intent of NBIC international collaboration is to leverage our current position within the global scientific biofilm community and prioritise outreach to key developed and emerging regions. NBIC’s first governing principle is to promote excellence in science.
Therefore, our international strategy strives for a balance of:
• Working with biofilm academic centres that are prominent and striving to advance the field.
• Acquiring new contacts in other regions supported by international grants for the developing world.
Therefore, whilst we will actively explore new opportunities for biofilm research in India, Pakistan and China, we also continue to build on our existing relationships with SCELSE/SNBC in Singapore, CBE in the USA, the Costerton Biofilm Centre in Denmark and Stellenbosch University in South Africa to explore academic, industrial and regulatory synergies.
We also aim to establish international industrial contacts where these can stimulate the growth of the UK science and industrial base in translational biofilm research. This will further expand the reach of our collective scientific expertise and the relevance we can offer to our internationally operating industrial partners through demonstrating our global awareness.
Our aim, as a consortium of 52 UK Universities is to become a strong partner to a larger, powerful and influential international network of industry and academic partners.
22 23 NBIC membership of the Case Study International Standards Task Group TRANSFORMING 16S SEQUENCING WITH CBE, SCELSE/SNBC AND COST
Supporting researchers in gaining industrial In February 2020 NBIC along with the US Center • Standardise and validate biofilm test methods that are experience for Biofilm Engineering, the Singapore Centre for referenced in regulatory guidance documents. Dr Chris Winnard joined Next Generation Sequencing Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), (NGS) company YouSeq, on an NBIC funded internship and an EU Cooperation in Science and Technology • Promote the use of statistically validated biofilm in the summer of 2019, where he was tasked (COST) action group formed a task group to drive methods when regulating products with a “kills” or with taking a new prototype for a next generation the international development and acceptance of “prevents” biofilm label claim. sequencing (NGS) kit, for identifying bacteria in a mixed standardised biofilm test methods in health care, the • Leverage the global nature of the consortium to adapt population, through to commercial product launch. built environment and industrial systems. Our goal is to testing methods across geographies. enable informed and consistent decision making on the The kit is based on a method known as 16S sequencing, international regulation of anti-biofilm products. Our • Engage industry, research institutions and academic which reads a region of the bacterial genome known collective aim will be to: stakeholders in the method development process. as the 16 rRNA and then identifies which bacteria are Dr Chris Winnard and YouSeq CEO Dr Jim Wicks presenting at NBIC’S Networking Event in January 2020 at the University of • Communicate to regulatory decision makers the • Champion biofilm methods in country and industry present based on genomic information. 16S sequencing Southampton. importance of using biofilm methods for biofilm specific standard setting committees. already exists, however the workflows are cumbersome specific label claims. and require long, highly skilled hours on the benchside. What’s next? • Promote international consensus in the biofilm YouSeq’s new prototype transforms that complex • Promote to public officials the need to set global methods recognised in regulatory guidance workflow into a very simple closed-tube system that After completing his project with YouSeq in early biofilm standards through a consortium of established documents. any technician can perform with ease. January, Dr Winnard successfully found employment and recognised regional expert organisations. with Novagene, a global NGS service provider. Performing detailed studies on sensitivity and specificity, Dr Winnard identified final issues and Dr Winnard said, “The internship was amazing and implemented improvements to make the new kit provided me the opportunity to not only gain valuable robust for commercial use and produced good quality industry experience but also helped me develop my data to satisfy the company’s quality standards, skills and knowledge of DNA sequencing.” resulting in a successful product launch. He was also YouSeq are currently undertaking a marketing drive for involved in the beta version of launch, with trials of the the product with great hopes for significant commercial kit occurring in the USA, South Africa, Portugal and the success that will bring further income and employment UK, where he took part in commercial and technical to the local community. discussions with the company’s first significant customer. During the product launch Dr Winnard also Dr Jim Wicks, YouSeq CEO said, “We believe that the supported the marketing function, which included product Dr Winnard has worked on will be a powerful developing a website, the instructions-for-use and research tool for the biofilm research community creatively contributed to printed content. globally.”
Dr Chris Winnard
Dr Chris Winnard has a PhD in Clinical and Environmental Microbiology and a MBioSci (1st Class Honours) in Biomedical Sciences. His research interests revolve around DNA sequencing with a particular focus on the interplay between the microbiome and human health and disease. He is currently working as a Molecular Biology Scientist for a multinational sequencing service company specialising in RNA sequencing and library preparation.
24 25 Case Study Case Study
REDUCING BIOFILM FORMATION THE FOURTH STATE OF MATTER
Helping industry find academic partners to solve Helping industry find academic partners to explore unmet needs new applications for a known technology
Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) are used in hospitals In the food industry, increased resistance of biofilm to deliver fluids, including medication, blood products, - forming bacteria such as Listeria has led to a need and nutrients into the veins of patients for extended for new approaches for decontamination of food and periods of time. However, bacterial adhesion to the food - processing surfaces. This collaboration between surface of catheters can lead to the growth of attached Fourth State and the University of Surrey will evaluate bacterial communities, known as biofilms. the efficacy of Fourth State’s innovative plasma (ionised gas) technology for biofilm prevention and Biofilm growth on catheters poses a serious infection management on food and hard surfaces. risk for patients. In the UK alone, central venous Fourth State’s technology harnesses plasma (ionised gas) for catheter-related bloodstream infections account for Fourth State is a micro-SME with ambitions of biofilm management and prevention. 10-20% of hospital-acquired infections, increasing becoming a leading global provider of atmospheric mortality, treatment costs and lengthy hospital stays. Fluorescence microscopy’ image showing a biofilm (Escherichia pressure plasma solutions in healthcare and other coli expressing Yellow Fluorescent Protein) within the lumen of a technology across a wide range of sectors, so it’s catheter, magnification: x2 Principal adjacent markets. Plasma is the ‘fourth state of Kimal PLC are a leading manufacturer and supplier fantastic to be working with NBIC to accelerate matter’ and consists of ionised gas. Examples in of CVCs and dialysis catheters, providing disposable development and market access for the technology. nature include lightning strikes, the aurora and the medical devices to hospitals around the world. At The catheter design elements investigated were the Access to NBIC Proof of Concept funding has allowed sun, while historical technological applications include their innovation centre in Bromsgrove, their dedicated shape of the lumen (interior tube), the size and shape us to build out our network, explore the expansion etching of silicon chips for smartphones, advanced research and development team work on new products of the skives (holes through which fluids exit the lumen) of our technology into further sectors and provide us space propulsion systems and controlled nuclear to improve patient outcomes. and the catheter surface coating. with a deeper understanding of the science behind the fusion reactors. The company founders, Dr Thomas interaction of plasma and biofilm”. Bacterial biofilm formation is complex and despite the The project was highly successful, and it identified Frame and Dr Thomas Harle, saw an opportunity severe infection problem that biofilms pose, there is immediate manufacturing steps that could be taken to to use their technological expertise in spacecraft Dr Eirini Velliou, University of Surrey said, “I find the little insight into how they form in venous catheters. improve catheter design and reduce biofilm formation. systems engineering and applied plasma physics to broadness of the NBIC network and remit fascinating. address urgent terrestrial needs, such as antimicrobial It allows the conduction of so many different types Through a Proof of Concept award from NBIC, To support future work with Kimal PLC, a PhD resistance. The team has since developed and patented of research on biofilms and enables academics to researchers at the University of Edinburgh, Dr Susana studentship was established through the Engineering an innovative platform plasma technology, and network with other relevant groups at both a national Direito and Professor Rosalind Allen, worked with and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) developed the company’s first product, Nebulaskin®, and international level and encourages academics Kimal PLC to explore how three aspects of catheter Soft Matter and Functional Interfaces (SOFI) CDT for non-surgical cosmetic procedures with a number of to work directly with industry to drive solutions to design impact biofilm formation, using fluorescence programme which works to provide industrially leading Harley Street clinics. A disruptive wound care practical problems through fundamental research. microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and integrated post-graduate training in research, product is currently in development. This interaction is very valuable as we really see our X-ray computed tomography; with a long-term goal of enterprise and innovation for future industry leaders. research output accelerated from bench to every-day optimising their catheter products to reduce catheter Further funding applications are also in the pipeline. Dr Harle said, “Fourth State sees biofilm management practice in industry”. associated infections. and prevention as a future ‘killer app’ for plasma
Principal Investigator Co-Investigator
Professor Rosalind Allen Dr Susana Direito is a part of Dr Eirini Velliou, Principal Investigator is a Professor of Biological the Edinburgh Complex Fluids Dr Eirini Velliou is Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) of Bioprocess & Tissue Physics at the University of Partnership team within the Engineering, Principal Investigator and Founder of the Bioprocess and Biochemical Edinburgh. Her research University of Edinburgh and is Engineering group (BioProChem) in the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering interest is focused on how also an NBIC Interdisciplinary at the University of Surrey. Her research focus falls within the engineering and validation nutrientcycling microbial Research Fellow. Her research of novel biomaterial based in vitro platforms for studying various biological systems ecosystems establish interests include biofilm and diseases, i.e. cancer, stem cells expansion and differentiation, formulation and themselves and maintain formation and advancing Professor communication of bacterial communities and bacterial-host interactions. Rosalind Allen their function. Dr Susana Direito antimicrobial technologies.
26 27 Case Study Case Study
INNOVATIVE WOUND CARE NEXT GENERATION WOUND TREATMENT
Helping industry find academic partners to explore Helping industry find academic partners to explore new applications for a known technology new applications for a known technology
Two major clinical challenges in the treatment of Annually over 18 million patients globally suffer from chronic wounds are the management of wound chronic wounds, of which over 50% will develop a exudate and the effective treatment of biofilm- localised infection due to biofilms, a major impediment related infections. Wound dressings are available to to wound healing, and long-term health. This can absorb exudate from highly exuding wounds and to lead to increased health service costs, morbidity and treat wound biofilm infections; however, there is no further complications for the patient, which ultimately commercially available single product, which collectively includes amputation. The indicative annual cost for addresses both issues. To treat infected wounds with wound management in Europe accounts for 2–4% of high levels of exudate a clinician currently uses two healthcare budgets and has been estimated to be as dressings; an anti-microbial dressing and a dressing to high as €10 billion. manage high exudate levels. Investigating the ability of super absorbent wound dressings to Current antimicrobials in wound care have limited internalise and transfer bacteria. The image shows a section of a A Proof of Concept (POC) award from NBIC enabled dressing imaged with Scanning Electron Microscopy effectiveness against biofilms. The project, ‘Development The model is used to reproduce biofilms on glass coupons researchers at the University of Manchester, Dr of Next Generation synergistic antibiofilm treatments under defined conditions suitable for testing the efficacy of antimicrobials and materials impregnated with antimicrobials. Gurdeep Singh and Professor Andrew McBain to work for wounds’ was awarded an NBIC Proof of Concept The model can be adapted to allow for the growth of biofilm on with Dr Helen Thomason, then Head of Scientific Science-based technology company 3M completed the (POC) award and in-kind contributions from 5D Health skin and wound dressings. Research for Crawford Healthcare. Crawford Healthcare acquisition of Acelity L.P. Inc. and its KCI subsidiaries Protection Group Ltd, enabling process development is a rapidly growing leader in developing innovative in 2019. NBIC has recently supported the Dr Gurdeep work and prototype production to be carried out at the Dr Steve Law, Research and Innovation Manager, 5D wound care and dermatological treatments and was Singh, Professor Andrew McBain and Dr Helen University of Leeds, whilst 5D Health Protection Group Health Protection Group Ltd said, “The novel antibiofilm acquired in 2018 by the world’s largest wound care Thomason team to conduct further work on innovative Ltd supplied raw materials and carried out antimicrobial technologies had been developed to laboratory scale by company, Acelity L.P. Inc. wound care approaches, this time with 3M as the and antibiofilm testing. 5D, but the NBIC award allowed the exploration of how industrial partner. the technologies could be applied on modern wound The main aim of the project was to assess the The innovative approach of the project was the care substrates and also enabled evaluation of wound anti-biofilm efficacy of combining an antimicrobial The main aim of the research is to develop an in vivo development of a synergistic combination of both dressing prototypes in robust antibiofilm models”. dressing with a wound dressing, capable of absorbing wound model to assess the effects of biofilm formation antimicrobials in combination with 5D’s patent protected high levels of exudate, to facilitate the treatment and anti-biofilm dressings on single-cell spray-on skin antibiofilm agents into one formulation, and its The project has been successfully completed, with all of wound infection and to manage exudate with a therapy to promote healing. Spray-on skin therapy is a incorporation into modern hydrogel-based low adherent outcomes achieved. Two routes for advancement of the single treatment. The project was highly successful, novel and effective way to promote healing of wounds fibrous wound dressing. Two synergistic compositions, project are being pursued: sharing of the results with meeting all major aims, and a manuscript is currently in such as burns and venous and diabetic foot ulcers. including metalised chelating agents applied to both targeted industry partner(s) with a view to generate preparation. carboxymethylcellulose and alginate substrates collaboration and co-development projects, and to exhibited outstanding antibiofilm performance. With seek further funding based on further development further development work, these technologies could be of synergistic antibiofilm compositions and further readily commercialised by companies operating in the development of deployment techniques. advanced wound care space.
Principal Investigator Industry Collaborator Professor Andrew McBain, Principal Investigator Professor of Textile Materials Research and Innovation Professor Andrew McBain studied for his PhD in Medical Microbiology at the and Technology, and Manager at 5D Health University of Cambridge with the Medical Research Council. Since 1999, his research Director of the Clothworker’s Protection Group Ltd. Dr at Manchester has focused on the responses of biofilms to antimicrobial treatments Centre for Textile Materials Law has over 25 years’ and the interaction of microorganisms colonising the skin, nasopharynx, oral cavity Innovation for Healthcare, at experience in the innovation and intestine with the human host in health and disease. the University of Leeds. and development of polymeric Professor Stephen Dr Steve Law materials. Russell
28 29 Case Study Proof of Concept Projects A NEW CLASS OF ACRYLATE POLYMERS SUPPORTING TRANSLATIONAL ACTIVITY
Helping to support biofilm models to assess novel interventions Our investment in biofilm innovation Indwelling urinary tract catheters are the most commonly employed implanted medical devices. To date, we have run three POC calls attracting 144 across our four key interventional themes with each However, indwelling catheters promote catheter- applications from which we awarded funding to 65 successive call showing a more even balance as our associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) that, if left projects. This represents an investment of £3.6m from outreach takes effect. In addition, they have seen untreated, may lead to acute pyelonephritis, urosepsis NBIC and £5.4m total value when we also consider engagement from a diverse set of industrial sectors and death. Treatment for CAUTIs usually depends on funds from companies either in cash or in-kind. demonstrating the broad impact of biofilms. A full list catheter removal and antibiotic therapy. Worldwide, 70- These awarded projects have involved 28 research of projects are provided in this annual report from 80% of the 150 million urinary tract infections reported institutions, 52 companies and of these companies, page 34. annually are CAUTIs which impose both serious health 33 are SMEs. These applications have shown a spread problems and are a significant economic burden.
Personal care Attempts to reduce the likelihood of CAUTIs Waste & water The Nottingham NBIC Innovation Research Fellows and the EPSRC- 1% Oral 13% have focused on improved hygiene, intermittent funded ‘Next Generation Biomaterials’ team in July 2019 at the 4% Biotechnology catheterisation and the development of novel catheter Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London. Marine 1% 8% Clean growth materials. Efforts to develop biocompatible catheter Internet 1% Prevent of things 33% materials that resist biofilm formation have focused In collaboration with Professor Derek Irvine from the 1% Cleaning 1% on the incorporation of antimicrobial agents by University of Nottingham, and NBIC partner Camstent impregnation into, or surface conjugation onto, the Ltd, a polymer-coated urinary tract Foley catheter has Food & Industrial agriculture biomaterial. However, silver-coated catheters have processing 8% subsequently been developed and manufactured, 10% been disappointing in clinical use while impregnation receiving CE mark approval in 2017 for clinical use in with antimicrobials suffer with loss of efficacy as hospitals in the UK and Europe. Hygiene the active agents leach away. They also increase the 6% challenges associated with the emergence of multi- In collaboration with the Nottingham NBIC Manage Innovation Research Fellows and the EPSRC- 40% antibiotic resistant pathogens. Consequently, the ideal Heritage funded ‘Next Generation Biomaterials’ team, this Conservation urinary catheter biomaterial should prevent biofilm 1% formation in the first place. topic was presented at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in July 2019. The ‘Great Greeting Professors Morgan Alexander and Paul Williams Detect Experiment’, a live research project developed by NBIC Health 14% are NBIC Co Investigators from the University of Co Investigator Dr Kim Hardie from the University of 45% Engineer 13% Nottingham. With support from the Wellcome Trust Nottingham, used UV iridescent powder and a UV light they have developed a high throughput polymer box to allow volunteers to observe transference and Proportion of applications to NBIC POC calls to date shown Proportion of applications to NBIC POC calls to date shown microarray methodology to screen for biofilm resistant the effectiveness of hand washing. ‘Stick or Slide’ and by industrial sector by Interventional theme polymers. Over 20,000 assays on 1300 unique co- ‘Stop the Superbugs’ exhibits illustrated how difficult polymers resulted in the discovery of a new class it is to remove a biofilm and how our novel catheter of acrylate polymers that resisted bacterial biofilm biomaterials work to prevent infection. The projects establish the feasibility of a concept, Through work with universities and companies formation called BACTIGON®. idea or technology from any application sector since our formation we can evidence the impact this which is aimed at preventing, detecting, managing engagement has had through the broadening of or engineering biofilms. The scope was for projects the number of universities and companies awarded at Transfer Readiness Level 2-4 which were a projects. In POC1 for example we had 15 RI and 30 Professor Paul Williams Professor Morgan Alexander collaboration between a member UKRI and an companies who jointly applied, and in POC2 there were industrial partner to transfer technology IP and/or 29 RIs and 31 companies (25 of which had not applied Paul Williams is Professor of Morgan Alexander is know how from the academic base. in POC1). There was also wider sectorial spread and an Molecular Microbiology at the Professor of Biomedical improved balance of interventional themes (Prevent, University of Nottingham. He Surfaces at the University of Detect, Manage and Engineer) from POC1 to POC2. is a Wellcome Trust Senior Nottingham, Director of the Investigator and Director of a EPSRC Programme Grant in Wellcome Trust PhD Training Next Generation Biomaterials Programme in Antimicrobials Discovery at the 3D OrbiSIMS and Antimicrobial Resistance. facility and a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator. 30 31 In POC3 we received 45 applications from 24 different the impact our networking and workshops had on research institutions involving 46 companies. This stimulating these applications. third group of projects continues to address a wide range of sectors and challenges across health, hygiene, This third set of awarded projects brings our total industrial processing, food, water, oral care, personal portfolio of funded projects to 65 across diverse care, anaerobic digestion, waste and wastewater and companies, sectors and research institutions. As the biotechnology. We had reserved 30% of funding for first of our portfolio of projects come to completion projects with an Engineering theme to build on our and mature, we are now looking to see their further Biofilm Engineering workshop, which took place in progress and how NBIC can help. In the current Edinburgh in April 2019. In fact, we are delighted that Covid-19 affected science landscape we are working over 40% of funding was awarded to projects with a with holders of active projects to understand how NBIC clear Engineering theme (this definition for each project can be flexible and help them ensure their projects was checked by project reviewers). This demonstrates successfully complete.
POC3 APPLICATIONS
Prevent Prevent 19% 26%
Manage Manage Detect 35% 43% 9%
Detect 19% Engineer Engineer 20% 29% POC3 Applications POC3 Awarded % of applications by interventional theme % of projects approved by interventional theme
Biotechnology Energy-Anaerobic Biotechnology 1% Digestion 1% Waste & water 4% Waste & water 7% 12% Food & Personal care Food & Personal care agriculture 4% agriculture 1% 11% 11% We will run our fourth Proof of Concept project deepening our understanding via direct contacts Oral Oral call at the end of 2020 and will consider later with researchers and practitioners we have 2% 7% TRL levels as our portfolio and the needs of the followed two key work streams. Marine 5% community mature. In addition, with the £1m Building a shared language for dialogue. Marine in-kind investment from the Science and 8% Technology Facilities Council (Hartree) we will run We have spent time across our industry/ Industrial a funding call for collaborative projects requiring academic community understanding the processing 12% data analysis and High-Performance Computing language and terminology of biofilms and this Industrial (HPC) power. processing has been captured as an ontology in Mindmap 15% form on our website. This was developed in Health Health With our Academic and Industry partners, we are 37% 33% conjunction with 80 UK researchers (in industry jointly establishing a consolidated and shared and research institutions) to capture how Hygiene view of the key industrial biofilm challenges 18% Hygiene they talk about and describe biofilm research, 11% along with the status of the science in terms of emergence of possible solutions. In addition to problems and opportunities. POC3 Applications POC3 Awarded % of project applications by industry sector % of project applications awarded by industry sector
32 33 UNIVERSITY/ INDUSTRY Proof of Concept 1 PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCH COLLABORATOR/S INSTITUTION AWARDED OCTOBER 2018 Development and Dressings have been designed to separately University of Crawford evaluation of a dual address problems associated with chronic Manchester Healthcare function dressing wounds including exudate (wound fluid) and to combat biofilm biofilms (microorganisms growing on surfaces UNIVERSITY/ infection and that are highly tolerant to antimicrobials). This INDUSTRY PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCH exudate in chronic project will assess the anti-biofilm efficacy of COLLABORATOR/S INSTITUTION wounds a newly developed wound dressing capable of absorbing high levels of exudate.
Managing Biofilms within distribution pipes present a University of International Paint aquatic biofilms major risk to drinking water safety. In marine Sheffield Ltd (AkzoNobel) and via surface environments, coatings have successfully altered Dŵr Cymru Welsh The effect of Finding ways to reduce infections caused by University of Nanovibronix Inc manipulation surfaces to mitigate biofilm risks. This project Water (DCWW) low frequency catheters (tubes) in the bladder is a top priority Southampton (Ideal Medical explores the novel application of marine-coatings ultrasound on in the NHS. We have evidence that an ultrasound Solutions UK) to drinking water pipes to prevent/limit and urinary catheter device (Uroshield) that clips onto catheters could manage biofilms by comparing biofilm behaviour biofilms: a crossover prevent infections. In this study we will use using innovative analytical techniques. study proven methods to find out if it really works.
Accelerating We plan to hijack a mechanism used by bacterial University of Belfry Therapeutics New generation This project optimises technology to produce University of Gencoa Ltd antisense PMOs pathogens to uptake essential nutrients, to Nottingham colour-encoded intrinsically antimicrobial coatings for surgical Liverpool to the clinic deliver synthetic RNA fragments which can switch coatings for surgical tools. This addresses an important NHS-identified off the expression of specific genes required for tools with intrinsic need for self-cleaning surfaces, combined with survival and kill these pathogens in a biofilm. This antimicrobial action distinct colour and lustre required for end-user innovative technology could potentially have a compliance within surgical theatres. Detailed strong impact in combating AMR. surface chemistry and biological testing will accelerate commercialisation of existing IP.
A model oral Hundreds of microorganisms live in the mouth, University of Unilever Safety and system for oral many are harmless while others cause caries Southampton Environmental Measuring biofilm The placement of catheters into a patient’s University of Kimal Plc healthcare risk and gum disease. This project will utilise an Assurance Centre formation in venous veins is widespread in hospitals, but poses a Edinburgh assessment in vitro model system to investigate how oral (SEAC) catheters serious infection risk due to biofilm formation. hygiene products may affect this complex oral We will measure biofilm formation on a range microbiome to better predict product efficacy. of catheters provided by Kimal Plc, to determine how catheter design can be improved to reduce the risk of biofilm formation.
PlasmaHeal: cold Biofilms are a major problem in non-healing University of 5D Health Protection plasma to control and infected chronic wounds due to their Liverpool Group Ltd biofilms in wound recalcitrance to immune clearance and Corneal biofilm Bacterial and fungal keratitis is a major Sheffield Tecrea Ltd dressings and antimicrobial agents. Cold plasma technology is models and anti- problem in many low/middle-income countries University and Blueberry at the wound/ highly effective against biofilm contamination. biofilm nanoparticles (LMIC). There is a need for stable and Therapeutics dressing interface This project will bring together expertise in affordable treatments that can control diverse biofilms, wound care and plasma to develop a eye infections. Antimicrobial nanoparticle novel ‘plasma activated wound dressing’. formulations can provide the antimicrobial and physical properties needed to destroy biofilm structures without damage to sensitive eye tissue. BIOFILMer: a Urological devices are widely used in the clinic to University of Oxford Nanoimaging super-resolution treat kidney stones, tumours, and incontinence. Southampton Ltd (ONI) and platform for They however suffer from biofilm formation, Center for Biofilm the analysis causing severe side effects. In this project, we will Engineering (CBE), Low dose nitric oxide Wounds that don’t heal are associated with University of Smith & Nephew of crystalline establish the first platform for super-resolution Montana State for the effective bacteria in communities known as biofilms which Southampton Ltd biofilms in analysis of biofilms in urological devices, enabling University treatment of chronic are resistant to antibiotics. We have shown that urological devices development of safer and biofilm-resistant wounds low dose nitric oxide can help disperse lung treatments. biofilms win patients with cystic fibrosis. This project will test whether nitric oxide can also disperse biofilms from infected wounds.
Development Many microalgal species are grown commercially Plymouth Marine Varicon Aqua of a Moving to produce a range of sustainable bioproducts, Laboratory Membrane with further product diversification hindered Blue light treatment Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne Quadram Chilled Food Bioreactor (MMBR) by high production costs. This consortia has of Listeria under pathogen, causing recent fatal outbreaks across Institute Association for the automated developed a membrane based technology to environmental Europe and South Africa. Listeria can persist cultivation and cultivate algae as a biofilm, reducing production conditions in food factories in biofilms despite sanitising harvest of algae costs and opening the possibility to cultivate procedures. Blue light (~405 nm) could be an grown as a biofilm novel high value strains. additional operator-safe disinfection measure, however its impact against Listeria in factory conditions is unknown.
34 35 UNIVERSITY/ UNIVERSITY/ INDUSTRY INDUSTRY PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCH PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCH COLLABORATOR/S COLLABORATOR/S INSTITUTION INSTITUTION
Evaluating an In the food industry, increased resistance University of Fourth State Advanced testing Unravelling the effects of soiling events and University of Unilever R&D - innovative plasma of biofilm-forming bacteria such asListeria Surrey Medicine Ltd platforms to surface chemistry on bacterial adhesion and Liverpool Homecare Division (fourth state of has led to a need for new approaches for address key biofilm formation over domestic surfaces under matter) decontamination of food and food processing performance realistic environmental conditions. Moving away technology for surfaces. This project will evaluate an innovative variables for from model surfaces to add hierarchical levels prevention and plasma (fourth state of matter) technology for antimicrobial of complexity: surface materials (hard surfaces management of biofilm prevention and management on food and products on initially); and biological inputs (single bacteria to biofilms in the hard surfaces. domestic surfaces multi-species colonies and associated soils). food industry
Treatment of In Steel industry, Basic Oxygen Steelmaking Newcastle Tata Steel Europe A novel laboratory Organisation of bacteria as communities called University of Neem Biotech zinc-contaminated (BOS) generates significant amount of dust University biofilm model to biofilms in wounds delays healing. In the UK, Sheffield and Welsh Wound slurry in steel with high Fe contents. The presence of zinc accelerate the currently one million patients live with the Innovation Centre production by limits Fe recovery as it would cause operational commercialisation physical and emotional discomfort caused by BioElectrochemical issues, leading to large amounts of dust being of anti-biofilm non-healing wounds. This project will help bring Systems stockpiled. We propose a novel and sustainable products for the to the clinic a unique, revolutionary cure that will BioElectrochemical System (BES) to tackle this benefit of patients accelerate wound healing by removing biofilms. challenge. with chronic wounds
Novel Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, particularly within University of Destiny Pharma Plc pharmaceutical biofilms and fungi pose a significant healthcare Southampton Facile fabrication Titanium dental implants to replace damaged or University of the OsteoCare agents (XF-drugs) threat including respiratory conditions (e.g. Cystic of a disruptive missing teeth can sometimes get infected. We West of England to prevent and Fibrosis) and chronic wounds such as diabetic foot titanium have taken inspiration from how edible mussels (UWE), Bristol proactively manage ulcers (DFU). The purpose of this NBIC study is to technology using attach to rocks, jetties etc. by applying a thin film bacterial biofilm and examine the effectiveness of a novel antimicrobial- a polydopamine of the adhesive used by mussels on titanium. The fungal infections drug series in two mechanistically-distinct and capturing film in turn can “hook” suitable agents to minimise in dynamic model clinically relevant model systems. platform infection. systems
Development of Over 50% of chronic wounds develop localised University of T-EDTA Ltd, next generation infection due to biofilms, impeding wound Leeds Medipure Ltd Biofilm The ability of antibiotics to penetrate the biofilm University of Perfectus Biomed Ltd synergistic healing. Current antimicrobials in wound care and 5D Health fluorescent matrix is key to their clinical success, but hard to Warwick antibiofilm have limited effectiveness against biofilms. The Protection Group antibiotics assay measure. We will assess a novel method to detect treatments for aim is to determine the feasibility of combining Ltd how well antibiotics penetrate biofilms in chronic wounds new synergistic antimicrobial and antibiofilm lung infections. We will use fluorescently-tagged agents into one formulation for incorporation antibiotics within clinically relevant and UKAS into a hydrogel-based low adherent fibrous accredited biofilm methods. wound dressing.
Influence of Phosphate is added to drinking water to minimise University of Dŵr Cymru Welsh Development of Marine fouling biofilm contributes to thousands University of International Paint phosphate lead dissolution from household pipes. However, Sheffield Water (DCWW) synthetic biofilm of tonnes excess fuel usage in the shipping Southampton Ltd (AkzoNobel) dosing to prevent phosphate, can favour microbial biofilm for calibrating industry. We will develop a test system that can plumbosolvency on formation in drinking water systems. To optimise the effect of more accurately predict how a coating may reduce biofilm formation the way this chemical is used by water utilities coatings on biofilm viscoelastic drag to aid in the design and in drinking water we need to understand its impact on biofilm reducing marine application of better, environmentally friendly distribution systems formation and on water quality and safety. viscoelastic drag coatings for marine vessels.
Biofilm evolution Yoghurt production generates wastewater that University of the Bio Loop in microbial fuel requires considerable energy to clean. This West of England QuorumClean This project aims to develop a novel marine Plymouth Marine Unilever R&D Port cells fed Yeo Valley project will look at cleaning dairy waste using (UWE), Bristol antifouling technology that outperforms Laboratory Sunlight wastewater bacteria that release electricity as a by-product. conventional approaches, but with a reduced We will examine which groups of bacteria environmental impact. The approach works by (biofilms) are best at producing power and where disrupting cell-to-cell communication between to find them in Yeo Valley’s wastewater treatment marine microbes. Potential applications of the plant. technology are diverse and include protection of ship hulls, marine sensors, desalination membranes and aquaculture infrastructure.
36 37 UNIVERSITY/ INDUSTRY Proof of Concept 2 PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCH COLLABORATOR/S INSTITUTION AWARDED JULY 2019 Examining the potential Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi pose a University of Destiny Pharma of pharmaceutical agents significant threat in ophthalmic e.g. microbial Sheffield plc (XF-drugs) to prevent keratitis, resulting in vision impairment and and proactively manage blindness particularly in lower to middle income bacterial and fungal countries. The purpose of this study is to infections in a dynamic ex examine the effectiveness of novel antimicrobial- vivo ocular model system drugs, against clinically relevant bacterial and UNIVERSITY/ INDUSTRY fungal species in a model system. PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCH COLLABORATOR/S INSTITUTION
In situ underwater optical There is a growing market in the Marine and University of Chelsea Algae-powered We have shown that algal biofilms can generate University of Arm Ltd sensors Freshwater sector for in situ sensors to monitor Liverpool Technologies MicroProcessors small amounts of electrical power, which can be Cambridge water environments. A significant bottleneck Group Ltd used to run small electronic devices. We aim to is rapid instrument failure due to biofouling prove the concept that we can use a conveniently of sensor windows. This project will: (i) create sized algal biofilm to power a microprocessor - a smart antibiofouling windows; (ii) modify and computer powered by algae. upgrade current sensors for underwater biofilms identification.
Development of Implanted medical devices improve quality of Nottingham Trent ESP Technology the first ESPRIT- life for millions of people. However, a major University Ltd and Harman Branched functional Biofilms in wounds and on medical devices are University of 5D Health AM antimicrobial complication of these devices is biofilm infection. Technology Ltd polymers for disrupting a major problem that prevent the treatment Bradford Protection self-sealing vascular Current implantable devices offer little resistance bacterial biofilms of infection. They are produced by infecting Group Ltd access graft to biofilm formation. This project will develop organisms and protect it from treatment with novel anti-biofilm medical device coatings to antimicrobials and antibiotics. In this project awe reduce the incidence and severity of biofilm are using nanotechnology to disrupt these films infection. to expose the organisms to treatment.
Enhanced biofilm Biofilms growing on historic buildings and University of Historic England The effect of electrospun Biofilm formation leads to significant failure Swansea Hybrisan detection methods artefacts can cause serious damage, with Portsmouth and Isle of Wight nanofibre diameter and of wound dressings, due to poor nanofiber University and the use of critical implications for their conservation. Heritage Service, conditioning film on design. This prolongs healing and increases the UVC light in their This collaboration with Historic England will Isle of Wight controlling active biofilm risks of invasive disease. In collaboration with remediation and investigate novel on-site biofilm detection Council formation in wound Hybrisan, we will fabricate nanofibres of different control on historic methods and the use of UV-C as a cost-effective, dressings diameters changing their morphology (size / buildings and reliable and non-destructive remediation tool for shape) improving antimicrobial properties and artefacts many endangered historic buildings. colonisation resistance of wound dressings.
e-Biofuels from e-biosynthetic fuels from alternative resources Loughborough Shell Research Ltd HullSense We will design, build and test a working prototype Plymouth Valeport Ltd CO2 conversion rather than petrochemicals are essential to University biofilm sensor that will sense microfouling, in real Marine using microbial transition to a low carbon future with reduced time on ship’s hulls. This direct measurement Laboratory electrosynthesis green gas emission to tackle climate change, of biofilm will allow in-water hull cleaning to whilst meeting energy security. Microbial be correctly scheduled to: extend longevity of electrosynthesis is a promising way using coatings, reduce fuel consumption and reduce microorganisms and renewable energy to convert green-house gas emissions. CO2 to fuels and chemicals.
Development of new We have recently demonstrated the potential to University of Public Health Electrical sensors Quantifying biofilms in drinking water pipe University of Environmental antibiofilm agents repurpose existing drugs already used in human Bath England and for environmental networks currently relies on removal of samples Sheffield Monitoring through repurposing of medicine as antibiofilm agents. This project will King’s College & civil engineers: in for laboratory analysis, which suffers from limits- Solutions Ltd, existing licensed drugs provide a comprehensive screen of available drugs London situ online biofilm of-detection, and is intrusive, costly and time- Water Industry to identify the best candidates for repurposing as characterisation consuming. We propose a new electrical sensor to Process and antibiofilm agents, with an initial focus on catheter detect and quantify biofilmsin situ and in real- Automation & associated urinary tract infection. time, validating against current state-of-the-art Control laboratory measurements. Detection of biofilms Wound infection results in poorer outcomes for University of the University that give rise to wound patients and higher costs for the NHS. We aim to West of England Hospitals Gas plasma for Osteomyelitis is a biofilm infection of bone which University of Hull Adtec infection; development of detect the gases produced by microorganisms (UWE), Bristol Bristol NHS the prevention is difficult to treat. This project will develop a a prototype point-of-care that cause wound infection using nanomaterial Foundation Trust and management novel laboratory testing model to evaluate and device based on rapid based sensors. This Proof of Concept device could and of osteomyelitis optimise a plasma treatment for osteomyelitis detection and analysis of potentially lead to future production of a novel Altered Carbon biofilms biofilm infections. microbial volatiles point-of-care diagnostic tool.
38 39 UNIVERSITY/ UNIVERSITY/ INDUSTRY INDUSTRY PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCH PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCH COLLABORATOR/S COLLABORATOR/S INSTITUTION INSTITUTION
Impact of ozone Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne bacterium James Hutton Anacail Ltd Validation of the Oxi- Oxi-Tech have developed the ozone producing University of Oxi-Tech application on Listeria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal disease Institute Cell Ozone System technology Oxi-Cell to combat bacterial biofilms. Southampton Solutions monocytogenes biofilms in humans. Food factory drains can harbour Listeria for the elimination of Oxi-Cell is fitted in-line to water systems to inhibit on drain covers under biofilms, hence the need for thorough cleaning biofilms microbial growth. To validate this technology and food processing techniques. This project will test the extent of facilitate the commercial uptake of Oxi-Cell, we will relevant conditions reduction of Listeria by Anacail’s high-dose ozone in quantify the antimicrobial effects of this system on factory-relevant conditions on drain covers. planktonic and biofilm populations.
Bacterial networking; Bacteria in wastewater treatment works can University of Veolia UK Plasma for the Chronic wounds are costly to treat and significantly University of Fourth State why it’s not always form complex network-like structures that can be Edinburgh prevention and affect a patients’ quality of life. Bacterial biofilms Hull Medicine beneficial to build detrimental to the treatment process. In this Proof management of chronic (specific bacterial structures) play an important role bridges and make of Concept project, we will perform experiments wound biofilms in chronic wounds, and are responsible for many connections and computer simulations to understand the antibiotic treatment failures. This project will test an mechanisms by which these structures form. The exciting new technology to remove wound biofilms insight gained will help us inhibit their occurrence. and promote healing.
Developing passive Pathogenic yeasts can grow as biofilms on materials University Smiths Medical Development of a This project will develop a novel non-thermal plasma University of Creo Medical RFID technology to used to make medical implants, this represents a of Kent International Ltd non-thermal plasma applicator system for the decontamination of medical the West of Ltd and Pentax monitor Candida significant infection risk to vulnerable patients. We applicator for the endoscopes during re-processing within hospital England (UWE), Medical albicans biofilm growth will develop methods to detect biofilm growth on decontamination of facilities. This addresses the current clinical and Bristol on medical devices medical devices within patients and in real-time using medical endoscopes economic need to ensure that endoscope devices radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, this are free from the risk of cross contamination and will help improve diagnosis and treatment. potential infection for patients.
Standardised complex Biofilms are rarely found comprised of one single University of BluTest Label-free multimodal Biofilms are groups of bacteria that are very difficult University of M Squared wound biofilm models type of microorganism, yet the development of new Glasgow Laboratories imaging platform for to detect. We’re combining powerful chemical and Southampton Life Ltd and - a robust antimicrobial antimicrobials tends to focus on testing one bacteria. detection of biofilms molecular technologies in a volumetric imaging University screening tool This project aims to develop methods and testing platform to analyse biofilms quickly through their Hospital platforms that will allow industry partners to develop unique characteristics. This will help in diagnosis, Southampton an effective anti-biofilm compounds using a platform treatment avoiding anti-microbial resistance and representative of wounds. remove or promote biofilms in health and industrial applications.
Rapid early and To feasibility test an optical-fluorescence-based Loughborough Smith & Nephew Rapid screening Urological devices are widely used to treat kidney University of Public Health accurate diagnosis detection technique that seeks to quantitatively University Ltd platform for shortlisting stones, tumours, and incontinence. However, Southampton England of wounds detect bacterial biofilms in infected wounds against a coatings against they significantly suffer from biofilm formation, and Center complex background of normal flora, and determine infection causing severe side effects. Here, we will develop for Biofilm antibiotic susceptibility. The rapid single-step test, the first microfluidic platform for rapid screening of Engineering implementable at the bedside, can potentially coatings that prevents/addresses biofilms, enabling (CBE) Montana transform wound care through improved clinical development of safer urological devices and with State University outcome and reduced costs. wider potential applications.
Commercialisation of Biofilm formation in burn wounds is associated University of Perfectus Advanced biofilm In this proposal we will develop an innovative University of Perlemax Ltd a burn wound biofilm with treatment failure, poor clinical outcomes, and Bath Biomed Ltd removal mediated by multidisciplinary approach to identify key components Sheffield model to provide a new development of chronic non-healing wounds. This targeted microbubbles of bacterial physicochemical characteristics of both service for pre-clinical project will develop a UKAS-accredited pre-clinical generated by fluidic static and dynamic biofilms, which will provide a research and testing in model of burn wound infection, that can support oscillation biomarker for biofilm stability and a target for biofilm academia and industry both early-stage and commercial development removal using our patented novel technology of of new products to control biofilm formation in microbubbles generated by fluidic oscillation. wounds.
Automated in situ This project aims to adopt a uniquely designed Newcastle International detection and monitoring automated in situ testing rig to detect and monitor University Paint Ltd of marine biofilm marine biofilm erosion and study their mechanical (AkzoNobel) and erosion and mechanical properties. This would address the influence of University of properties via custom biofilms on the drag on marine vessels with the aim Southampton optical coherence of improving development of anti-fouling coatings to tomography (OCT) reduce fuel costs.
40 41 UNIVERSITY/ Proof of Concept 3 PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCH COLLABORATOR/S INSTITUTION AWARDED MAY 2020 To incorporate a quorum The general aim of this Proof of Concept of study is to University of 5D Health sensing blocker (lactams) develop and evaluate a pioneering wound dressing to Liverpool Protection UNIVERSITY/ into wound dressing be used as a new, smart technology for the effective Group Ltd, PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCH COLLABORATOR/S platforms to control management of biofilms in wounds, which has the Penrhos Bio and INSTITUTION biofilms potential to greatly enhance patient outcomes and Unilever reduce healthcare costs.
Develop a Computational biofilm modelling has potential as a rapid, Newcastle International computational tool low cost route to accelerate ship fouling control coating University Paint Ltd Biofilm disruption activity Potential methods to treat wound infections include University of Io-Cyte Ltd and for marine biofilm research & development. This project aims to develop a (AkzoNobel) & of absorbent sustained using absorbent dressings containing alginate for Nottingham University of management unique computational tool to predict experimental data on University of marine biofilm erosion, deformation and drag at mesoscale Southampton action alginate and antimicrobial sustained-release. Alginate-Iodine Southampton flow cell as a Proof of Concept. iodine combined wound combinations have shown considerable promise dressings against single-species biofilms. Here we evaluate disruption of persistent polymicrobial inter-kingdom and single-species wound biofilms utilising different Biofilm production A membrane-based bioreactor system utilising biofilm Plymouth Varicon Aqua formulations of absorbent sustained-action alginate/ of Phaeodactylum forming microalgae has been developed to solve the Marine Solutions iodine dressings in abiotic and biotic biofilm models. tricornutum for economic and biological bottlenecks commonly associated Laboratory fucoxanthin with conventional microalgal production. This study will establish the economic viability of this novel process using the model marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum for the Novel hybrid biofilm Nutrient removal represents a significant challenge University of Plantwork production of the high-value pigment fucoxanthin. technology to remove to the water industry, housing development and local Southampton Systems Ltd nutrients from economy, particularly in the Solent region. This project wastewater aims to demonstrate a hybrid biofilm system in a full- scale prototype plant achieving total nitrogen and total Novel XF drugs Oral fungal biofilms are common and responsible for Cardiff Destiny Pharma phosphorus concentrations below 5 and 0.5 mg/L, in the topical a significant burden of infection in people. Successful University respectively, in treated effluent. management of treatment is hindered by biofilm resistance and limited Candida albicans numbers of effective antifungal drugs. This project will biofilms evaluate the novel XF drugs in combatting Candida biofilms and reducing their infection risk using mucosal mouth Dry surface biofilms, Surfaces within a healthcare environment can be University of Genesis models. understanding coated with potentially infectious organisms which Huddersfield Biosciences their formation and survive by forming a dry biofilm. The project seeks to development of a test further understand the form and function of these model for preventative biofilms whilst generating a test method to assess Development of The same species of microorganisms colonize skin and University of Perfectus surface cleansers preventative surface cleansers. molecular support behave as pathogens. The biofilm phenotype has been Huddersfield Biomed Ltd to detect biofilm proposed as a trigger for infection chronicity however causing pathogens organisms are not routinely screened for this. This project within chronic aims to identify genetic markers linked to biofilm that can be infections utilised by clinicians to detect biofilms. Development of an in vivo Spray-on skin therapy, using patient’s healthy cells, is a University of 3M wound model to assess novel technology for treatment of burns. However, this Manchester Healthcare the effects of biofilm therapy can fail if infection develops. Antimicrobials may formation and antibiofilm prevent infection, however, their effects on spray-on Rotating spiral This project extends an existing technology based on rotating University of Unilever dressings on single-cell skin cells are unknown. This project will determine the biofilm reactor spiral channels to the challenge of harnessing microbial Sheffield spray-on skin therapy to effects of infection and antimicrobials on spray-on skin for reliable biofilms for sustainable production of valuable chemicals promote healing therapy. engineering and currently uneconomical to synthesise through alternative control of bacterial routes. The constructed prototype will act as an enabling communities and technology and open up new markets for the industrial environments for biotechnology sector. use in industrial Assessment of the effect Biofilms in water systems used in factories present a University of Unilever biotechnology of electrolysed oxidising product spoilage and consumer health risk that must Manchester water on biofilm removal be controlled. Electrolysed oxidizing water (EOW) could from water supply offer an alternative to current approaches since it is systems in food and non-toxic. This project will independently assess EOW Manipulation Biofilm aggregates (diversity, function) influence nutrients University of Seaweed & Co refreshments factories for its suitability for implementation by Unilever in of gut biofilms bioavailability from complex food matrices. We will define Glasgow production facilities. dynamics for how gut biofilm aggregates influence iodine bioavailability enhanced iodine (nutrient of public health interest) from seaweed, an iodine- bioavailability rich food. Defining how to sustain/ engineer these biofilms will enable the industry partners to develop safe evidence- To develop a synergistic To develop and evaluate a game changing (patent University of 5D Health based products. enzyme-antibiofilm protected) smart enzyme-antibiofilm combination Bradford Protection composition to wound dressing the effective management of biofilms Group Ltd, impregnate into a wound (via EPS breakdown) and slough (known to house Penrhos Bio/ DNA origami We aim to fight the bacteria that contribute to gum disease, University of Frontier IP dressing to reduce slough biofilms, increase infection risks and delays wound Unilever nanostructures by creating origami-like DNA nanostructures loaded with Cambridge Group plc and the biofilms in healing) in wounds, helping to enhance patient as a tool in the antibacterial enzymes or proteins. We will optimise the DNA chronic wounds outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. disruption of P. origami to bind specifically to the target bacteria and to gingivalis biofilms improve the penetration and disruption of the biofilms that they form.
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