BBSRC

How has the BBSRC ALERT programme supported the biosciences, and what would be the advice from a successful applicant? Our ALERT funding opportunity has supported the purchase of mid-range equipment for research across the biosciences. Dr Tony Larson is Head of the Metabolomics and Proteomics Laboratory at the University of York. In this video he talks about what it means to be a Research Technical Professional (RTP), along with his top tips for applying. Hear about the untold story of technicians as the Principal Investigator on research projects. https://orlo.uk/Q5mgH Video created in partnership with The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy.

Regenerative medicine technologies play a crucial role in treating bone damage and related injuries. We have supported the development of stem cell and biomaterial technology, including research that led to an innovative custom-made hip replacement. Combining hip replacements with tissue engineering could improve the longevity of replacements, improve patient outcomes and decrease economic pressure. It costs the NHS around £4.4 billion a year to deal with over 5000,000 fractures connected to osteoporosis in the UK. Hip fractures alone cost the NHS £2 billion. The impact these injuries have on movement and function also affects the economy, in terms of the workforce and spending ability. They also have a massive toll on the mental and physical welfare of patients and cause serious and sometimes long-term pain. Research led by the Bone and Joint Research Group at the University of Southampton resulted in the first custom-made hip replacement using stem cells, plus the formation of a University of Southampton spin-out, Renovos Biologics Limited (Renovos). In 2014, a 71-year old whose hip had been crushed in a car accident underwent the first-ever hip surgery with a 3D custom-made hip replacement and bone stem cell graft. The hip implant was made from titanium and designed using a CT scan and ‘computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing’ technology for exact measurements. The patient’s bone marrow cells were extracted and used to regenerate bone around the implant, fusing the material and bone together. Between 2014 and 2020, a further 20 patients were treated using this method. It was estimated this form of hip replacements could save the NHS up to £34.8 million annually. Renovos are developing the first medical grade nanoclay that could be used in various medical applications, including orthopaedics, wound repair and dental. They were recently granted Breakthrough Device Designation by the US Food and Drug Administration for their RENOVITE® BMP-2 product. Find out more about the UKRI support and multidisciplinary scientific contribution that has made this research and technology possible: https://orlo.uk/ndpha

How can artificial intelligence help farmers understand the #biodiversity on their farms and ultimately inform sustainable land management practices? Our AI-powered biodiversity monitoring systems are gathering data on insects and other wildlife on different farm types around the UK. Tune in to Dr Jenna Lawson's discussion on Radio 4 Farming Today to learn more! 🎧 Listen via BBC Sounds: https://lnkd.in/esvZkt-g This work is part of the ambitious AgZero  programme funded by NERC: Natural Environment Research Council and BBSRC. The programme led by UKCEH and Rothamsted Research supports the UK’s transition towards domestic food production that is sustainable, carbon-neutral and has a positive effect on nature. #SustainableFarming #SustainableLandManagement #AgZeroPlus Jenna Lawson

In our latest video series, Professor Pippa Hawes, Chair of the BBSRC ALERT Panel talks about her experience on the panel and the importance of recognition for Research Technical Professionals (RTPs). Find out more about how our ALERT opportunity supports mid-range equipment for research across the biosciences ⬇️ https://orlo.uk/EIjQ1 This video was created in partnership with The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy.

We’re investing £34m in BioFAIR, a concept that could transform how we facilitate research data management. "Digital research infrastructure has fast become as critical to UK bioscience as physical infrastructure. The BioFAIR project will provide the backbone for ground-breaking research, enabling researchers to tackle key societal challenges head-on." ~ Dr Sarah Perkins, Executive Director for Strategic Planning, Evidence and Engagement at BBSRC and the UKRI Senior Responsible Officer for BioFAIR With a mission to transform the UK’s digital research infrastructure, BioFAIR is a concept which is set to future-proof the UK life sciences ecosystem with cohesive and collaborative partnership. In building a national platform, BioFAIR will leverage established best practices and capabilities, accelerate the adoption of findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) data principles across the UK life sciences. This will also: • Unify the UK’s currently fragmented digital research landscape • Break down barriers to democratise data accessibility • Coordinate and deliver extensive training and support for practitioners at all levels Inspired by a proposal from ELIXIR-UK community and supported by BBSRC and Medical Research Council, this funder-community partnership will bridge gaps between researchers, digital research technical professionals and existing institutional digital research infrastructures. Over the course of the five year project, four key capabilities will underpin the project mission: 💠 Data commons will catalogue sources of existing datasets, making them easily accessible to life science researchers. 💠 Method commons will enable the collaborative use of shared computational workflows with a national workflow capability. 💠 The community centre will provide a focal point for sharing expertise, best practice and troubleshooting within disciplines. 💠 The knowledge centre will enable those driving the collection and curation of existing knowledge resources and training materials to advance best practice in research data management. Read more about BioFair in the news section of our website.

Our ALERT programme invests in cutting-edge equipment, providing infrastructure for world-class bioscience research, and helps to enhance institutional research capabilities while bolstering national capacity. ALERT is one of the key investment programmes driving BBSRC’s infrastructure strategic framework ambition to ensure the UK bioscience community can access cutting-edge, sustainable research and innovation infrastructures. Read BBSRC’s infrastructure strategic framework here: https://orlo.uk/nR2Ls In a new three-part video series, brought to you in partnership with The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy, we’re showcasing how Research Technical Professionals are leveraging BBSRC’s ALERT funding to support the delivery of bioscience research and innovation. Head over to our YouTube playlist and find out more: https://orlo.uk/haslG

UK start-ups are invited to express their interest for the Biotechnology Business Incubation Centre (Bio BIC), supporting early-stage biotechnology companies achieve their commercial potential in the Liverpool City Region. This programme is run by STFC and BBSRC at Sci-Tech Daresbury. The Bio BIC provides an outstanding support package for startups, including: 💷 up to £50k R&D funding, in addition to £10k of R&D vouchers 🔬 Access to R&D facilities 🛡 IP protection support 👥 Networking 💼 Business coaching Companies are encouraged to submit their Expressions of Interest as soon as possible and by 28 July 2024 latest ⬇ https://lnkd.in/euXdBF5a More information about the Bio BIC ⬇ https://lnkd.in/esSuAHk3? James Mooney | William Gault | Amy Farrington | Massimo Noro | STFC | BBSRC | Sci-Tech Daresbury | STFC Hartree Centre | Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership | UK Research and Innovation

“We’ll take the world-class scientific community we have here and be the partner they need to get to the next level.” Watch Peter Kyle, the new Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology set out his priorities to maximise the UK’s potential in science and tech to grow the economy, transform public services and improve people’s lives 👇

We are inviting expressions of interest for our Responsive Mode Committee chair and deputy chair positions. One chair and three deputy chair positions are open to application, covering a three-year term. - Committee A deputy chair role starting on 1 February 2026 - Committee B deputy chair role starting on 1 April 2025 - Committee D chair role starting on 1 April 2025 - Committee D deputy chair role starting on 1 April 2025 Application closing date: 4 July 2024 Find out more about the roles and key dates: https://orlo.uk/SB6qo

✨ Our annual #BiofilmCreate Competition is now open for 2024! 🎨 📷 Showcase your talent in photography and/or art whilst highlighting the impact of biofilms. 🧑🔬 This is a unique opportunity for students and researchers to look at creative ways of showcasing their work - and also for members of the public, budding artists and photographers to explore biofilms in their everyday environments. 🏆 Amazon gift cards will be awarded in both categories: 🥇 1st place: £500 🥈 2nd place: £250 🥉 3rd place: £125 💡Need some inspiration?... 🤳 Biofilm Image Gallery: https://lnkd.in/eevxbSNf 🖼️ Biofilm Art Gallery: https://lnkd.in/ewXcghX2 These galleries contain a selection of entries from our three previous competitions. Find out more and submit your entries 🗳️ https://lnkd.in/eigdRq_c #BiofilmAware #biofilm #science #scicomm #photography #art BBSRC, Innovate UK, Quadram Institute, Federation of European Microbiological Societies, Microbiology Society, Royal Society of Biology