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Our researchers endeavour to ensure that our research outcomes benefit society with economic and health impact. We work closely with industrial partners and lead change in policies and practice.
Examples of our research impact include:
Accelerating commercialisation of polysulfide-containing biopesticides
As part of an international interdisciplinary research collaboration, Dr Chris Hamilton and his team helped characterise a chemical compound called Bacillithiol, which is produced by many bacteria. Thiol-containing chemicals play key roles in protecting microorganisms from oxidative stress. Working with Ecospray Hamilton has characterised the mode of action of garlic-derived compounds on bacteria and insects and these compounds have been developed as novel biopesticides. Ecospray have developed Nemguard for use on food crops with approval granted in 2014.
Combatting HIV through innovative medicine
Working with Janssen pharmaceutical company, Professor Sheng Qi and her team provided mechanistic understanding of the stability of a second-generation HIV medicine called Etravine and helped develop a solid dispersion-based formulation of the drug known as Intelence. In-house material science methodologies (differential scanning calorimetry, solid state NMR and atomic force microscopy) were essential in gathering scientific evidence for regulatory approval, providing both economic and health impact.
Therapeutics and point of care diagnostics for infectious diseases
Iceni Glycoscience is a spin-out company founded by Professor David Russell (Emeritus) and Professor Rob Field to develop a lateral flow diagnostic test and a vaccine. Research into stabilising gold nanoparticles with carbohydrates led to development of new bioassays for rapid detection of analytes.
Tackling cataracts in fish
A collaborative project including Dr Julie Sanderson and her team, working with the Norwegian partners and Scottish company Biomar Ltd, investigated the formation of cataracts using eye models. This was applied to the global problem of cataract formation in salmon eyes causing multimillion dollar losses to the fishing industry. This research led to the identification of a critical period when the amino acid histidine is essential for the development of the salmon eye lens and an understanding of its role. Consequently, increasing the levels of histidine in fish feed led to a huge decrease in the incidence of cataracts. These research findings have had a massive and economically significant global impact and there have been widespread changes to salmon feeding practices internationally, providing significant economic benefit across the fishing industry.