Texas-United Kingdom Collaborative

Saint Petersburg 2011Dr. James Abbey

International Strategic Collaborations Advisor

Swansea University

The Texas – United Kingdom Collaborative:

Background:

Following a lecture by Dr. Gillis to the Royal Society in Edinburgh in 2001 and a meeting with Lord Sainsbury, the UK Minister for Science and Innovation a high level UK government delegation to the USA visited Texas, the northeast and the west coast exploring opportunities for collaborations in the life sciences. Texas was selected as the strategic partner for the establishment of a US – UK biosciences collaborative - the Texas - UK Collaborative.

The top institutions in Texas became partners in the Collaborative in The top institutions in Texas became partners in the Collaborative in 2003, these included Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, the 2003, these included Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, the University of Houston, the University of Texas Health Science Center, University of Houston, the University of Texas Health Science Center, the University of Texas Medical Branch and the University of Texas M.D. the University of Texas Medical Branch and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center.Anderson Cancer Research Center.

More than 70 collaborations, involving over 200 researchers have been More than 70 collaborations, involving over 200 researchers have been established.established.

The Texas The Texas –– UK Collaborative: UK Collaborative:

Vision: To foster cross disciplinary collaborations among researchers in Vision: To foster cross disciplinary collaborations among researchers in world class institutions in Texas and the UK building new areas of world class institutions in Texas and the UK building new areas of research and capacity in these areas. research and capacity in these areas.

The cross disciplinary research is at the interface of the nano, bio The cross disciplinary research is at the interface of the nano, bio and information sciences creating new ideas, techniques and and information sciences creating new ideas, techniques and opportunities.opportunities.

The Collaborative supports:The Collaborative supports:

~ Thematic workshops bringing researchers from diverse ~ Thematic workshops bringing researchers from diverse backgrounds together focusing on specific problems.backgrounds together focusing on specific problems.~ Research planning meetings for the preparation of research ~ Research planning meetings for the preparation of research proposals.proposals.~ Faculty/student visits/exchanges, including student internships, to ~ Faculty/student visits/exchanges, including student internships, to build collaboration and broaden horizons.build collaboration and broaden horizons.~ Seed funding research projects and “proof of concept studies” ~ Seed funding research projects and “proof of concept studies” bringing projects to the demonstration, D2, in the R&D3 continuum. bringing projects to the demonstration, D2, in the R&D3 continuum.

International Collaborations:International Collaborations:

Importance for Wales:Importance for Wales:

A small fraction of the world’s research can take place in Wales - A small fraction of the world’s research can take place in Wales - international collaborations will increase the influence and international collaborations will increase the influence and reputation of Wales in research and developmentreputation of Wales in research and development

Wales can benefit from research carried out elsewhere by forming Wales can benefit from research carried out elsewhere by forming collaborations with leading researchers in other parts of the world, collaborations with leading researchers in other parts of the world, especially the USAespecially the USA

Building international collaborations provides access to the Building international collaborations provides access to the world’s best science, scientists and facilities world’s best science, scientists and facilities

International CollaborationsInternational CollaborationsBuilding Team Science:Building Team Science:

Team Science through alliances, collaborations and consortia Team Science through alliances, collaborations and consortia availing of the synergy of team approaches and “big” science.availing of the synergy of team approaches and “big” science.

An example is the changing face of the biosciences in the post An example is the changing face of the biosciences in the post genomic era with converging technologies – nano, bio and info.genomic era with converging technologies – nano, bio and info.

New enabling technologies.New enabling technologies.

Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations – cross-Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations – cross-departmental, cross-institution, academia/public/private, departmental, cross-institution, academia/public/private, international.international.

Building new areas of research and building capacity in these Building new areas of research and building capacity in these areas. areas.

The Texas The Texas –– UK Collaborative: UK Collaborative:

Why Texas?:Why Texas?:Houston is home to the world’s largest medical center, the Texas Houston is home to the world’s largest medical center, the Texas Medical Center (TMC) with more than 40 MM sq.ft. in 47 Medical Center (TMC) with more than 40 MM sq.ft. in 47 institutions.institutions.The UT MD AThe UT MD Annderson Cancer Center located in the TMC is derson Cancer Center located in the TMC is frequently ranked #1 cancer center in the USfrequently ranked #1 cancer center in the USTexas ranks # 4 in the US for its share in Federal R&D funding Texas ranks # 4 in the US for its share in Federal R&D funding –– almost US$4billion annually.almost US$4billion annually.Rice University, opened the Smalley Center for Nanoscale Rice University, opened the Smalley Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology in 1993 - the first such center in the Science and Technology in 1993 - the first such center in the world, Rice leads in the development and commercialization of world, Rice leads in the development and commercialization of nanotechnology.nanotechnology.The Alliance for NanoHealth, an alliance of all academic The Alliance for NanoHealth, an alliance of all academic institutions in the region, has more than 150 researchers institutions in the region, has more than 150 researchers researching applications of nanotechnology in medicine and researching applications of nanotechnology in medicine and health.health.The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston with The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston with international recognition in emerging infectious diseases is home international recognition in emerging infectious diseases is home to a National Laboratory providing BSL-4 facilities.to a National Laboratory providing BSL-4 facilities.

The Texas The Texas –– UK Collaborative: UK Collaborative:

Why Texas?:Why Texas?:

University of Texas Medical Branch is also home to the Sealy University of Texas Medical Branch is also home to the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development with demonstrated excellence in Center for Vaccine Development with demonstrated excellence in translation with programs in immunization for respiratory translation with programs in immunization for respiratory diseases, malaria and Hepatitis Cdiseases, malaria and Hepatitis C

Baylor College of Medicine, #1 medical school in Texas and Baylor College of Medicine, #1 medical school in Texas and ranked in the top 10 in the USA houses the Center for Cell and ranked in the top 10 in the USA houses the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy with GMP facilities and, with Texas Children’s Gene Therapy with GMP facilities and, with Texas Children’s Hospital, a translational research laboratoryHospital, a translational research laboratory

Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) with Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) with a budget of $3 billion over 10 years funds cancer research and a budget of $3 billion over 10 years funds cancer research and prevention in public and private entitiesprevention in public and private entities

Texas A&M University has particular strengths in engineering, Texas A&M University has particular strengths in engineering, and early stage clinical developmentand early stage clinical development

The Texas The Texas –– UK Collaborative: UK Collaborative:

Why Texas:Why Texas:

The University of Texas at Austin is the nation’s largest state The University of Texas at Austin is the nation’s largest state university with a student population approaching 60K university with a student population approaching 60K –– particular particular strengths are in engineering, physical and life sciencesstrengths are in engineering, physical and life sciences

The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston is The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston is home to the Institute of Molecular Medicine which holds the home to the Institute of Molecular Medicine which holds the leadership position in the recently established Texas Therapeutic leadership position in the recently established Texas Therapeutic Institute (TTI)Institute (TTI)

The University of Houston with a student population of 35K has The University of Houston with a student population of 35K has strengths in cell signalling, technology development ,the Center strengths in cell signalling, technology development ,the Center for Industrial Partnerships, and, together with the Methodist for Industrial Partnerships, and, together with the Methodist Hospital, the Center for the Future of Health. Hospital, the Center for the Future of Health.

TexasTexas

Baylor College of MedicineBaylor College of Medicine

Methodist Hospital Research InstituteMethodist Hospital Research Institute

Rice UniversityRice University

Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University

University of HoustonUniversity of Houston

University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin

University of Texas HealthUniversity of Texas Health

Science Center at HoustonScience Center at Houston

University of Texas M.D.University of Texas M.D.

Anderson Cancer CenterAnderson Cancer Center

University of Texas Medical BranchUniversity of Texas Medical Branch

United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Imperial College LondonImperial College London

King’s College LondonKing’s College London

Queen’s University BelfastQueen’s University Belfast

Swansea UniversitySwansea University

University College LondonUniversity College London

University of CambridgeUniversity of Cambridge

University of SouthamptonUniversity of Southampton

University of StrathclydeUniversity of Strathclyde

Partner Institutions:

Notable Achievements:Notable Achievements:

A collaboration between UT M.D. Anderson Cancer A collaboration between UT M.D. Anderson Cancer CenterCenter and Imperial College and Imperial College London, the London, the “Texas Proteomic Collaborative”, was “Texas Proteomic Collaborative”, was established with funding of more established with funding of more than US$1MM. than US$1MM.

Endomagnetics, Inc., a spin out company from the University of Houston and University Endomagnetics, Inc., a spin out company from the University of Houston and University College London, supported by the Collaborative, completed a clinical trial detecting College London, supported by the Collaborative, completed a clinical trial detecting sentinel lymph nodes in 20 breast cancer patients. sentinel lymph nodes in 20 breast cancer patients.

A Quantum Grant of US$2.9MM, over 3 years, from the National Institutes of A Quantum Grant of US$2.9MM, over 3 years, from the National Institutes of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health (USA) to Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health (USA) to fund a research project for ‘neuro-vascular regeneration’ has been awarded to Baylor fund a research project for ‘neuro-vascular regeneration’ has been awarded to Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, King’s College London and the National Institute College of Medicine, Rice University, King’s College London and the National Institute for Medical Research in London 30% will be spent in the UK. The proposal was for Medical Research in London 30% will be spent in the UK. The proposal was facilitated through support from the Collaborative.facilitated through support from the Collaborative.

The Abramson Center for the Future of Health at the University of Houston and at the The Abramson Center for the Future of Health at the University of Houston and at the Methodist Hospital Research Institute will work with researchers in the Institute of Life Methodist Hospital Research Institute will work with researchers in the Institute of Life Sciences at Swansea University, Queen’s University Belfast and the European Center Sciences at Swansea University, Queen’s University Belfast and the European Center for Connected Health, Belfast, in the development of their Blue Box Technology .for Connected Health, Belfast, in the development of their Blue Box Technology .

Over the past two years the Collaborative has organized workshops in the areas of Over the past two years the Collaborative has organized workshops in the areas of nanohealth, intelligent control systems, healthcare technologies, regenerative medicine nanohealth, intelligent control systems, healthcare technologies, regenerative medicine and connected health, bringing together more than 150 researchers from Texas and the and connected health, bringing together more than 150 researchers from Texas and the UK. UK.

Recent Highlights:Recent Highlights:

Prime Minister Brown’s speech, “Enlarging the Anglosphere”, Prime Minister Brown’s speech, “Enlarging the Anglosphere”, delivered in the US on April 16, 2008 contained six proposals, four delivered in the US on April 16, 2008 contained six proposals, four of which are currently fostered by the Collaborative: enhancing of which are currently fostered by the Collaborative: enhancing student and faculty exchanges, increasing cooperation on student and faculty exchanges, increasing cooperation on enterprise, strengthening cooperation in health research and enterprise, strengthening cooperation in health research and fostering collaboration in other areas of research.fostering collaboration in other areas of research.

IIn 2008 Endomagnetics was awarded the Innova Award, an award n 2008 Endomagnetics was awarded the Innova Award, an award presented in the USA, for the most promising developments presented in the USA, for the most promising developments involving the use of magnet technology.involving the use of magnet technology.

Arrowhead Research Corporation is at an advanced stage with Arrowhead Research Corporation is at an advanced stage with respect to a decision on locating their European operations at respect to a decision on locating their European operations at Swansea University.Swansea University.

nanoTox, Inc., is currently in progress of establishing their UK nanoTox, Inc., is currently in progress of establishing their UK center in its global activities in risk assessment of nanotechnology center in its global activities in risk assessment of nanotechnology at Swansea University. at Swansea University.

Recent Highlights:Recent Highlights:

The Collaborative has been recognized as a unique network of leading The Collaborative has been recognized as a unique network of leading research led and entrepreneurial institutions in the UK and Texas:research led and entrepreneurial institutions in the UK and Texas:

Rice University’s Bioscience Research Collaborative Center, a 500,000 Rice University’s Bioscience Research Collaborative Center, a 500,000 sq.ft., strategically located between the Rice campus and the Texas sq.ft., strategically located between the Rice campus and the Texas Medical Center, has just opened.Medical Center, has just opened.

The State of Texas has committed funds of US$3 billion over 10 years The State of Texas has committed funds of US$3 billion over 10 years for cancer research through the Cancer Prevention and Research for cancer research through the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).Institute of Texas (CPRIT).

In 2008, Texas was named as one of the top 5 regions in the world for In 2008, Texas was named as one of the top 5 regions in the world for biotechnology development.biotechnology development.

The ‘Global Medical Excellence Cluster’ in the UK includes four UK The ‘Global Medical Excellence Cluster’ in the UK includes four UK partners.partners.

Recent Highlights:

The successful £50M proposal for the establishment of a Center for NanoHealth and Institute of Life Science II at Swansea University was greatly strengthened by the support of the Collaborative.

Funding of £6.77 million from the EPSRC for research on number entry errors with medical devices has been secured by Professor Harold Thimbleby of Swansea University and colleagues at University College London which will lead to the design and safe use of interactive medical devices – the proposal was enhanced through the support of the Collaborative.

Research support for Professor Huw Summers and Dr. Shareen Doak of Swansea University of more than £1 million from the EPSRC involves a collaboration with researchers at Texas A&M University was facilitated by the Collaborative.

Building for the Future:

The challenges and the opportunities in the first half of the 21st century areclear:

The integration of biomedicine with engineering, physical, biological and computational sciences and with nanotechnology will be one of the most important developments.

The application of nanotechnology in medicine - Nanohealth - will be one of the most fertile areas of technological and economic development and opportunity.

Partner institutions in the UK with the Texas partners in the Collaborative are uniquely positioned in the at the frontiers of research in the converging technologies – in the past such frontiers have offered the greatest opportunities.

Spasibo BolshoiSpasibo Bolshoi

j.v.abbey@swansea.ac.ukj.v.abbey@swansea.ac.uk