Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
2012-2013
Mission
The EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Regenerative Medicine provides an integrated platform of fundamental and translational research a translational go-to resource for the regenerative medicine product developer. We focus on: Undertaking world-leading research esting and implementing ideas in clinical T and industrial settings reating next generation platforms for manufacturing C regenerative medicines Informing business models, policy and public debate Through a skills base spanning disciplines from biology through to manufacturing science, the EPSRC Centre brings together a critical mass of capacity and capability that can rapidly and proactively address the evolving needs of the regenerative medicine manufacturing industry.
[The] EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Regenerative Medicine is to become the go to place for manufacturing research for this emerging industry.
Taking Stock of Regenerative Medicine in the United Kingdom, BIS Office for Life Sciences, July 2011
The UK has the chance to be a leader in this eld [regenerative medicine] and this opportunity must not be missed the UK could and should be a world leader in this eld.
House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report on Regenerative Medicine, July 2013
We are pleased to be able to once again present the Annual Review of the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Regenerative Medicine. While the rest of the Review focuses on the excitement of the science and detail of our impacts, the aim of this introduction is to set this in the international and national context. The last year has been a very significant year for the Centre including preparation for, and enacting the outcomes of, our international mid-stage review, understanding and accommodating changes in the national research environment, and the securing of additional funding to sustain some of the work of the Centre beyond the EPSRC initial funding. Perhaps the most significant event for the Centre operationally has been our international mid-stage review. The panel for this was chaired by Michael May, President and CEO of the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM), Toronto, and included international and national academic and industrial members in addition to EPSRC and TSB observers. We are pleased to be able to report that the mid-stage review had a positive outcome with recognition of the role and potential of the Centre nationally and internationally. The reviewers did, however, advise us that there were some things that we needed to consider and address in particular a need to think bigger and more strategically with respect to our project portfolio. There is more on the consequences of the review later in this document.
translational Hubs and for clinical applications. Further EPSRC support for the Centre has also been secured by Rob Thomas and Nick Medcalf in competitions for Early Career Fellowships and for Manufacturing Fellowships, respectively. The coming year will see an increased focus on securing Technology Strategy Board funding with industry partners and in establishing a way of working with EU partners for the Centre and other academic regenerative medicine manufacturing researchers. Our parallel research training activity, the EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre for Regenerative Medicine, has graduated its first cadre of PhDs over the past year and prepares for its final intake of students under the current funding model. Outreach has also moved up a gear during the year, we welcome Sophie Dale-Black into her full-time role as Outreach Manager. Outreach has included hosting the first EPSRC Manufacturing the Future Conference in September 2012, on behalf of the broader national academic community in manufacturing. We have also exposed early career regenerative medicine manufacturing academics from around the country to Boston-style academic innovation with the support of the Science and Innovation Office at the British Consulate-General. We have also started our programme of research sandpits, the first in Bath focused on making living bone, and lots of it. More on outreach and our plans for it can be found later in the report. We would like to thank our collaborators for their support over the year and our researchers for their efforts, and wish to particularly thank our international reviewers for their work on our behalf. We are also grateful to Leo Enright for his contribution to our outreach programme prior to Sophies arrival. Regenerative medicine as a field is now maturing as is demonstrated by the increasing engagement of Government in its support and the increasing interest of large pharmaceutical companies in its exploitation this means that manufacturing as one of the key steps to commercialisation can only become more important and that the depth and utility of science that we need to generate to operate in this highly regulated world will only increase. There is much for us to do together!
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Nationally, Government has confirmed that regenerative medicine is one of the eight great technologies which will propel the UK to future growth and the preliminary findings of the Witty Review of Universities and Growth show the strategic role of the Centre and its partners in this as does the Report of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee on Regenerative Medicine. The Centre had the privilege of giving evidence, including oral evidence, to the latter. In parallel with this high level activity, the practical role of the Centre in the UK innovation system and its way of working has become clearer. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cell Therapy Catapult in January was an important step and the Centre and the Catapult are now working together on projects with UK industry leaders. The recent results of the UK Regenerative Medicine Platform (UKRMP) competitions confirm that Centre partners are the collaborators of choice through their securing of funding as partners within both
Core Theme:
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Development and validation of an Instron TGT hydrostatic bioreactor for tissue processing in regenerative medicine
This project has shown that hydrostatic pressure applied to cells in culture leads to an increase in bone cell growth and mineralisation, two processes highly important for the regeneration of skeletal tissue. The novel Instron TGT bioreactor allows standard format cell culture plasticware to be used, with additional control over frequency and amplitude of hydrostatic pressure applied. Such a design will allow large scale-up for manufacturing of cell-based therapy applications. Results indicate that externally applied hydrostatic pressure delivered by the bioreactor can independently stimulate bone growth and also act synergistically with soluble factors added into the cell culture media to enhance bone development in the laboratory. This bioreactor design could therefore be applied to cell-seeded 3D scaffolds for laboratory conditioning prior to their implantation in patients. This project was referenced within the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Report on Regenerative Medicine, published in July 2013. Project team: Alicia El Haj, James Henstock, Yvonne Reinwald (Keele University) Collaborators: Instron TGT, Nanofiber Solutions
Exploring the feasibility of a new regulatory paradigm for the manufacture of autologous cell therapies
Attempting to reach a widely spread patient population with an autologous cell therapy is extremely challenging as economies of scale-up do not apply and there is the potentially formidable cost of demonstrating comparability for additional manufacturing sites through clinical trials. A modified regulated manufacturing model more appropriately satisfying the comparability requirements of regulators to demonstrate equivalence for additional manufacturing sites would permit access to a wider patient population and allow the clinical need to be met with greater efficiency. This project addresses important issues identified by the TSBfunded VALUE project and the EPSRC Centres Near Patient Cell Processing project. Assessments will be undertaken of alternative regulated manufacturing models to identify the scientific barriers that must be overcome in order to permit the successful implementation of the preferred approaches. The project is shaped by an expert external reference team, allowing debate and steering while removing bias. Project team: David Williams, Paul Hourd, Amit Chandra, Patrick Ginty (Loughborough University) Advisors include: Athersys, GSK, Smith & Nephew, MHRA, independents
Core Theme:
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From science bench to clinical application: Establishing a stem cell population with consistent therapeutic behaviours
A major concern in the application of stems cells in the clinic is the structural and clinical variability in the outcome, which limits standardisation of stem cell-based therapies and hampers comparison of clinical study outcomes. The growing interest in human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) purification and culture for cell therapies highlights the need for mammal models to evaluate clinical efficacy and standardise procedures. This project aims to deliver tools required to achieve reproducible and consistent cell populations for future clinical studies. We follow well-characterised cells as they move along the translational pipeline, determining the quality parameters of hMSCs using biologically relevant models. We have shown that the antigen-induced arthritis model is a relevant preclinical model that allows input and output variables to be measured and assessed over a short time period. Oksana Kehoe is supported by a Fellowship from the Institute of Orthopaedics. Project team: Oksana Kehoe, Alicia El Haj, James Richardson (Keele University), Robert Thomas (Loughborough University) Collaborator: Institute of Orthopaedics
Using Quality by Design (QbD) approaches to reduce risk and optimise cell therapy manufacture
This project focuses on the application of quality by design (QbD) approaches to understand and reduce the risk of cell product failure as a result of poor manufacturing process control. This provides an exemplar of a methodology for process design space definition that is necessary to de-risk cell therapy manufacture for regenerative medicine. Applying QbD principles to the development of a design space and operating space for the cryopreservation of human stem cells, the project has established a robust method for measuring cell viability after a cryopreservation process. This method has proven suitable in defining the operating space for cell banking and product thawing. In applying statistical tools and QbD principles to cell product manufacturing, the method provides a route for industrial partners wishing to reduce risk and regulatory uncertainty. Project team: Robert Thomas, Elizabeth Ratcliffe, Paul Hourd, Peter Mitchell (Loughborough University) Collaborator: Neusentis
Core Theme:
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Defining and manufacturing a cell therapy product for the generation of bone in spinal surgery applications
This project develops manufacturing methods for cell delivery systems aimed at unlocking the potential of autologous stem cell therapy in the regeneration of bone in the vertebrae. A major problem in the treatment of vertebral fractures is the mismatch in mechanical properties between bone and the implants used to provide an instant fix to the break. Over time this mismatch can result in complications due to further fractures and weakening of the surrounding bone. Our new approach is to define a product that allows the patients own bone marrow derived stem cells to be located around a porous implant. Over time these cells form new bone tissue and take over the mechanical function of the implant. The project combines polymer processing, microtechnology, rheology and stem cell biology. The project has resulted in the invention of a new injectable delivery system that integrates with existing stent technologies. This system will be developed with commercial partners in the future. Project team: Kevin Shakesheff, Lisa White, Felicity Rose (The University of Nottingham) Collaborator: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
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Regulatory considerations for both centralised and near-patient manufacturing and delivery
The EPSRC Centre has unique measurement capabilities that can be mapped to the in-process or end-of-process requirements for product manufacture, and these will be further developed to reduce risk and optimise the logistics of manufacture and clinical release. Combining these measurement capabilities with regulatory science activities will develop a consensus on viable manufacture and delivery processes and their pathways through regulation.
The new projects address specific issues in the logistics of manufacturing and delivery of cell therapy products. A product must meet specific criteria in order to be accepted by regulators as being fit for purpose. Measurement at different points during the manufacturing process will provide assurance of quality, however confidence is needed in the particular measurement protocols. Measurement strategies will therefore significantly affect the practicalities and logistics of manufacturing and of the release of the product to the clinic and patients. A range of representative exemplar products are to be progressed within the EPSRC Centre that require different manufacturing, measurement and release strategies.
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House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Report on Regenerative Medicine, July 2013
The report makes recommendations to the Government that, if acted upon, would facilitate the translation of scientific knowledge into clinical practice and encourage its commercial exploitation. For more details, please visit http://bit.ly/RM_Lords David Williams attended the initial roundtable workshop that sought to provide the Committee with an opportunity to discuss the Regenerative Medicine Inquiry with academic experts, industry representatives, funding organisations and representatives of the Department of Health, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Technology Strategy Board. David also provided oral evidence on regenerative medicine manufacturing to the Committee on behalf of the EPSRC Centre, alongside Keith Thompson of the Cell Therapy Catapult and David Newble of TAP Biosystems.
Application of response surface methodology to maximize the productivity of scalable automated human embryonic stem cell manufacture
E. Ratcliffe, P .C. Hourd, J. Guijarro-Leach, E. Rayment, D.J. Williams, R.J. Thomas, Regenerative Medicine, 2013, 8, 39-48 To read the paper, please visit http://bit.ly/RM_Paper1 The cost and quality of regenerative medicine manufacture is notoriously difficult to control due to highly complex processes with poorly defined tolerances. As a step to overcome this, this paper demonstrates the use of quality-by-design tools to define the operating space for economic passage of a scalable human embryonic stem cell production method with minimal cell loss.
Cyclic hydrostatic pressure stimulates enhanced bone development in the foetal chick femur in vitro
J.R. Henstock, M. Rotherham, J.B. Rose, A.J. El Haj, Bone, 2013, 53, 468-477 To read the paper, please visit http://bit.ly/RM_Paper3 Mechanical loading of bone and cartilage in vivo results in the generation of cyclic hydrostatic forces as bone compression is transduced to fluid pressure in the canalicular network and the joint synovium. This paper demonstrates that cyclic hydrostatic pressure promotes bone growth and mineralisation in a developmental model and supports the hypothesis that hydrostatic forces play an important role in regulating bone growth and remodelling in vivo.
A study of enzymatic activity in cell cultures via the analysis of volatile biomarkers
T.W.E. Chippendale, B. Hu, A.J. El Haj, D. Smith, Analyst, 2012, 137, 4677-4685 To read the paper, please visit http://bit.ly/RM_Paper4 Aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes are responsible for the metabolism of aldehydes, including acetaldehyde, and are linked to disease. This paper describes a method to study aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in cell cultures involving the measurement of acetaldehyde concentrations in the gas/ vapour phase. The method uses selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFTMS), developed for the rapid quantification of trace gases in humid media, and the results of the study indicate that SIFT-MS gas phase analysis could be applied to the study of volatile metabolites of intracellular enzyme reactions - thus having potential utility in disease research and drug discovery.
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We are delighted to be working with academic experts at Loughborough University on the techniques needed to turn smallscale cell therapies into robust products amenable to larger-scale manufacture. This is one of the fundamental translational gaps that the Cell Therapy Catapult is working to bridge, providing the cell therapy industry with important advances, and the expertise available will be invaluable for this task.
Keith Thompson, Chief Executive, Cell Therapy Catapult
The EPSRC project has provided the essential proof of principle for HypoxyCOOL, and through such support has better ensured positive outcomes both in terms of the application of autologous cell production and adding value to the Ruskinn business.
Huw David Thomas, UK Commercial/Sales Manager, Ruskinn Technology Ltd
Scientific and engineering advances made by Dr Rob Thomas group at the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Regenerative Medicine were critical to a DARPA-funded stem cell-derived red blood cell program.
Dr Stewart Abbot, Executive Director Integrative Research, Celgene Cellular Therapeutics
Collaborating with commercially driven UK researchers is resulting in developing novel automation, which will secure future sustainable production of affordable cell therapies.
Dr David Newble, CEO, TAP Biosystems
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New outreach project: Modular manufacture of bone constructs for large scale reconstruction
There is an unmet clinical need for large scale, live tissue augments to replace skeletal anatomy following tumour resection and to fill segmental defects resulting from trauma. Developing a modular approach to the manufacture of bespoke large scale augments represents a niche area within the market that has the potential to be rolled out to provide a range of solutions across the entire sector. This new project will unlock a toolbox of solutions for surgeons to improve the surgical outcome and thus quality of life for patients, reducing costs to the NHS and providing a lucrative commercial entry into the bone substitute market. The long term goal is large scale bone reconstruction using a combination of particles with different properties, housed in a titanium shell. The aim of this project is to fabricate a sub-unit of the full scale design to demonstrate the viability and function of the bone. Particles with different cell types and/or growth factors, modular constructs, can be combined in the desired proportions; here two modular constructs will be used one with osteoblast-like cells and another with endothelial cells. Project team: Marianne Ellis, Irene Turner (The University of Bath), Liam Grover (The University of Birmingham), Lucy Foley (Newcastle University), Bram Sengers (The University of Southampton), Peter Mitchell (Loughborough University).
Skills and people development focus: Our industry is rapidly developing, and a highly skilled workforce will create an efficient, productive and motivated industry. We will focus on skills development through activities aimed at giving researchers a higher level of business acumen and increasing their employability in the industry, and we will highlight alternative careers to researchers and graduating PhD students seeking non-academic experience.
E-TERM Fellows Samantha Wilson and Qasim Rafiq have recently undertaken outreach to schools by delivering workshops to AS and A2 sixth form students at Brine Leas High School, Nantwich. The Fellows covered material relevant to the National Curriculum, as well as engaging in topical discussions surrounding the use of stem cells and highlighting the potential impact of the research.
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Regulatory Science
...the science that will inform and enable robust regulatory decisions by both influencing and informing the regulator and assisting the manufacturer in providing the knowledge base to deliver confidence in these products.
EPSRC Centre Manufacturing Industrial Summit, 2012
Since our 2012 summit we have refined our work in regulatory science by seeking consensus on the research questions to be addressed and methods used. We have begun a major new EPSRC Centre project identifying preferred alternative approaches for autologous cell therapy manufacturing, a key enabler for the rapid take-up of clinician-led therapies. The work of our new EPSRC Manufacturing Fellow, Nick Medcalf, has a strong regulatory science component. We have also begun to work with EPSRC and MHRA to define other areas for work by the research community.
In performing outreach work as a National Centre, the EPSRC Centre has the opportunity to promote the UKs capability in regenerative medicine manufacturing. We will host a catalogue of equipment and facility resources held across the academic community, enabling the identification of opportunities for equipment access and exchange, enhancing collaboration, and the identification of gaps in the national infrastructure portfolio. Utilising a bespoke instance of Kit-Catalogue, a system designed by Loughborough University, we will incorporate our equipment and facility catalogue into a wider database of academic institutions active in the area of regenerative medicine manufacturing, thus further enabling collaboration between institutions. It is hoped that promoting academic capabilities will also lead to new collaborations between academic, clinical and commercial organisations.
Lucy Foley
National Biologics Manufacturing Centre
North Outreach Contact
Liam Grover
The University of Birmingham
Mercia Outreach Contact
Ivan Wall
University College London
South East Outreach Contact
Marianne is a Senior Lecturer in Biochemical Engineering. Her research addresses the challenges of scale-up that are currently being faced in cell therapies, using bioreactor and bioprocess design, applied to cell expansion and growing tissue engineered cell-scaffold constructs for regenerative medicine.
Lucy was formerly a Lecturer in Biopharmaceutical Process Development at Newcastle University and has recently joined the National Biologics Manufacturing Centre as Lead Biopharmaceutical Engineer. Her interests lie in the achievement of robust supply models for cell therapies including production process industrialisation, supply chain development and live cell shipment. She is a founding member of the ATMP Manufacturing Community (AMC).
Liam is a Professor in Biomaterials Science and his research focuses on characterising the interactions between biological systems and materials. Liams research aims to regenerate not only bone, but structures that lie on the interface between hard and soft tissues. Liam was promoted to Professor in early 2013.
Ivan is a Lecturer in Regenerative Medicine Bioprocessing. His research interests focus on strategies to improve retention of cells for direct delivery and tissue engineering. He is also developing methods for measuring cell function and potency to improve therapeutic outcomes. Rob Thomas, David Williams and Leo Enright accompanied the delegates and we are grateful to Sarah Hokanson of the Science and Innovation Network for her support.
We are engaging with key social science academics at the ESRC Innogen Centre, The University of Edinburgh, and at The University of York. In 2014, we will hold an intensive workshop on regulatory science issues with contributions from stakeholders having clinical, industry, regulatory and standards perspectives. Participants will also debate how approaches to regulation can influence macro-economic performance. The workshop, and our participation in other international initiatives, will identify key areas of regulatory science for manufacturing where Centre leadership will complement the initiatives of other global leaders.
we recommend that the TSB and EPSRC undertake an annual stock-take of regenerative medicine manufacturing capacity and make recommendations to BIS about future needs
House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report on Regenerative Medicine, July 2013
building stronger links between the regulators and those who are regulated would be a vital step in overcoming the difficulties of GMP requirements.
David Williams quotation from House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report on Regenerative Medicine, July 2013
People Development:
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Katie Glen
Loughborough University
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People Development:
Researcher Proles
Under the guidance of project leaders at Loughborough, Nottingham and Keele universities (see pages 28 and 29), a highly skilled team of researchers undertake cutting edge research projects within the EPSRC Centre. Here we celebrate the researchers diverse skills and backgrounds, and acknowledge their considerable contribution to our work and the wider field of regenerative medicine manufacturing.
Katie Glen is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Loughborough University. She studied for a medical science degree and has a PhD in cardiovascular sciences. Prior to joining Loughborough University, she worked for Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. as part of the biology R&D team. She is a multidisciplinary scientist with a research focus on innovative manufacturing and biological engineering for healthcare technologies.
Paul Hourd
Loughborough University Paul Hourd is the EPSRC Centres Programme Manager, based at Loughborough University. Paul has a degree and a PhD in biochemistry. He has worked for much of his career in user-led product and process design and development within the in vitro diagnostics and cell-based therapeutic areas. His industrial experience includes six sigma black belt expertise applied to the improvement and validation of GMP-compliant manufacturing processes. Paul previously worked as Project Manager for the EPSRC-funded remedi Grand Challenge project at Loughborough University and his research focuses on regulatory science and quality engineering approaches to bioprocessing and translation of cell based therapies for regenerative medicine.
Oksana Kehoe
Keele University Oksana Kehoe is a Research Fellow at Keele University and the Acting Head of the Rheumatology Research Laboratory at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital. Oksana has a degree and a masters in immunology and a PhD in biochemistry. Her research focuses on inflammatory diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis, where she investigates mesenchymal stem cells as therapeutic agents. Oksana has research experience from positions at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine), Cardiff and Manchester universities.
Forhad Ahmed
Loughborough University Forhad Ahmed is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Loughborough University. Forhad has a degree in applied biology, a masters in immunology and a PhD in haematology. His research focuses on the production of cultured red blood cells from adult and embryonic stem cells in a scalable suspension format.
Amit Chandra
Loughborough University Amit Chandra is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Loughborough University and he has both a degree and a PhD in chemical engineering. Amit is the engineering technical lead for the set-up and validation of the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Facility at Loughborough University. He has experience in working in hospital settings and previously worked on the EPSRC-funded remedi Grand Challenge project.
Deepak Kumar
Loughborough University Deepak Kumar is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Loughborough University. He has a degree in biomedical materials science and engineering, a masters in cell and tissue engineering and a PhD in biomedical engineering. Deepaks research addresses the development of novel photo-curable polymer hydrogels for the encapsulation of human mesenchymal stem cells and their differentiation towards a nucleus pulposus like cell type by mimicking the in vivo hypoxic and mechanical stimulation environments.
Thomas Chippendale
Keele University Thomas Chippendale is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Keele University. He holds an MEng degree in biochemical engineering, and gained a PhD in regenerative medicine through the EPSRC DTC. Thomas research is focused on the potential of a real time trace gas analytical technique (selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry) for non-invasively monitoring the progression of cell cultures.
Alex Lyness
Loughborough University Alex Lyness is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Loughborough University. Alex has a degree in product design and manufacturing engineering, a masters in engineering design and a PhD in healthcare engineering. His research focuses on the investigation of drug delivery systems, and he is exploring methods to deliver conventional pharmaceuticals and emerging biopharmaceuticals, importantly including cell-based therapies.
Yvonne Reinwald
Keele University Yvonne Reinwald is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Keele University. She has a masters in medical biotechnology and a PhD in tissue engineering. Yvonnes research focuses on the evaluation of the performance of bioreactors for tissue engineering and clinical application by investigating the growth environment (changes in physiological parameters and physical forces) that cells and cell-constructs are exposed to during mechanical stimulation.
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People Development:
Researcher Proles
Mark McCall
Loughborough University Mark McCall is a final year PhD Student at Loughborough University and will become a Postdoctoral Research Associate by October 2013. Mark has a degree in physics with medical physics, and is completing his PhD in cell therapy manufacturing, studied through the EPSRC DTC. His research addresses the prediction and reduction of cell therapy cost of goods and regenerative medicine manufacturing technology. Mark has secured a Loughborough University Enterprise Fellowship to further develop a novel manufacturing system designed during his PhD.
Aram Saeed
The University of Nottingham Aram Saeed was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Nottingham until July 2013. He has both a degree and PhD in pharmacy. Arams research addresses the development of 3D smart substrates for the expansion and manufacturing of stem cells. Aram is now a Lecturer within the School of Pharmacy at The University of East Anglia, and he continues to collaborate with the EPSRC Centre.
Jing Yang
The University of Nottingham Jing Yang holds a Nottingham Research Fellowship and he has a PhD in biocomposites. Jings research focuses on the fabrication of human tissues using 3D printing. In particular, he is researching the printing of hepatocytes and other cells in the liver to mimic natural tissue-tissue interfaces and reproducing liver functions. These tissues can potentially be used for drug screening and toxicology.
Peter Mitchell
Loughborough University Peter Mitchell is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Loughborough University. Peter has a masters in biology from The University of Bath and a PhD in skeletal tissue engineering from The University of Southampton. His research focuses on tissue engineering and the development of cell-based therapies. He is currently working on applying quality by design concepts to process design and optimisation in the manufacture of cellular therapies.
Lisa White
The University of Nottingham Lisa White is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Nottingham. She holds a degree and a PhD in chemical engineering. Lisas research focuses on bone regeneration, in particular in using different platforms of materials, cells and growth factors. Lisa has considerable experience in outreach and seeks out opportunities to communicate her research to the public.
Andrew Picken
Loughborough University Andrew Picken is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Loughborough University. He has a degree in microbiology and a PhD in biotechnology. Andy is a cell biologist interested in bioprocessing, and has previously worked at The University of Manchester and UCB-Celltech. His current research addresses the improvement of cryopreservation in order to provide safer preservation of cells needed for regenerative medicine applications.
Ian Wimpenny
Keele University Ian Wimpenny is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Keele University. He holds a degree in medical materials science and a PhD in biomedical engineering. His research is at the interface between biology and materials and focuses on real-time methods for characterising both the degradation of materials and how this affects the growth and activity of cells. Ian will be moving to a Postdoctoral Research Associate role at The University of Manchester in September 2013.
Elizabeth Ratcliffe
Loughborough University Elizabeth Ratcliffe is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Loughborough University. She holds a degree in microbiology, a masters in molecular medical microbiology and a PhD in molecular microbiology and vaccine research. Elizabeth has worked with leading national and international commercial and academic collaborators to establish manufacturing processes and application of quality process engineering principles (6 , QbD) for human stem cell-based products.
Jing Zhang
The University of Nottingham Jing Zhang is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Nottingham. She has a masters in optical engineering and a PhD in electrical and electronics engineering. Jings research focuses on the design and development of advanced microscopy for biological research and on surface plasmon resonance microscopy for sensing biomolecular interactions and for imaging living cells.
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Leadership Team
Richard Archer - Chair
Richard Archer is an engineer and robotics specialist who was a founder of both The Technology Partnership in Cambridge and subsequently The Automation Partnership, where he was CEO until retiring in 2004. He was the founding chair of the RegenMed Industry Group at BIA and continues to consult for international corporations on business strategy in regenerative medicine and stem cells.
Key People
Cameron Alexander
Eleri Bristow
Lee Buttery
Karen Coopman
John Crowe
Sophie Dale-Black
Chris Denning
Nick Forsyth
Sourav Ghosh
Chris Hewitt
Paul Hourd
Yang Liu
Melissa Mather
Nick Medcalf
Jon Petzing
Svetan Ratchev
James Richardson
Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine Keele University
Paul Roach
Felicity Rose
Joel Segal
Michael Somekh
Virginie Sottile
Research enquiries: Prof David Williams EPSRC Centre Director Professor of Healthcare Engineering Loughborough University Leicestershire LE11 3TU T +44 (0)1509 227668 E d.j.williams@lboro.ac.uk Outreach and general enquiries: Dr Sophie Dale-Black National Centre Outreach Manager Loughborough University Leicestershire LE11 3TU T +44 (0)1509 227649 E s.h.dale-black@lboro.ac.uk
@RM_Outreach
www.epsrc-regen-med.org