Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MemTrain (Cell Membrane Training to Advance Industrial Processes)
Reporting period: 2021-05-01 to 2024-04-30
The aim of MemTrain was to train a cohort of Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) to work in the growing field of cell membrane research. Cell membranes surround all cells and are responsible for defining life and separating it from the external environment. As such, they play fundamental roles in a host of biological processes from drug discovery to industrial biotechnology. Traditionally, research in the area of cell membranes has been extremely challenging, partially due to technical limitations which are being overcome; this is an area in which Aston are international experts.
Due to the challenging nature of this research, there are a lack of experts in this field compared to its future importance and size. Furthermore, to maximise the benefit of this research, it is important the scientists work at the interface of academia and industry. This allows fundamental research to be applied but, importantly, develops future researchers with the confidence and ability to work across traditional boundaries which will put Europe at the forefront of this research area. Consequently, each ESR on the MemTrain programme had a project developed in conjunction with an industrial partner to maximise the real-world benefit.
The overall objectives of the MemTrain project were to:
• Train the next generation of intersectoral, internationally-focussed researchers.
• Build a community of membrane-focussed scientists
• Enhance the potential and future career prospects of researchers; strengthening human resources on regional, national or international level
• Upon graduation, put the ESRs in a position to continue their research career within either academia or industry
• Develop management, leadership, communication and outreach skills
• Developing long-term research networks
Due to the challenging nature of this research, there are a lack of experts in this field compared to its future importance and size. Furthermore, to maximise the benefit of this research, it is important the scientists work at the interface of academia and industry. This allows fundamental research to be applied but, importantly, develops future researchers with the confidence and ability to work across traditional boundaries which will put Europe at the forefront of this research area. Consequently, each ESR on the MemTrain programme had a project developed in conjunction with an industrial partner to maximise the real-world benefit.
The overall objectives of the MemTrain project were to:
• Train the next generation of intersectoral, internationally-focussed researchers.
• Build a community of membrane-focussed scientists
• Enhance the potential and future career prospects of researchers; strengthening human resources on regional, national or international level
• Upon graduation, put the ESRs in a position to continue their research career within either academia or industry
• Develop management, leadership, communication and outreach skills
• Developing long-term research networks
Twelve ESRs were successfully recruited in two cohorts of five and seven with a good gender balance from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Each ESR registered for a PhD at Aston University and progressed through the formal evaluation sections as required. The ESRs engaged with a comprehensive training programme consisting of a blend of core training provided to all Aston University PhD students, bespoke training delivered by the MemTrain team and external training opportunities identified as beneficial to individual ESRs.
The Project Manager and ESRs ensured that the MemTrain website and social media accounts were updated regularly and undertook a range of outreach and dissemination activities including school visits, University events, podcasts and seminar series. The MemTrain team have been involved in the publication of 14 papers. These describe the scientific findings of the projects but also, importantly, detail the methodological advances made in the field of membrane research, keeping Aston University at the cutting edge of this field.
The Project Manager and ESRs ensured that the MemTrain website and social media accounts were updated regularly and undertook a range of outreach and dissemination activities including school visits, University events, podcasts and seminar series. The MemTrain team have been involved in the publication of 14 papers. These describe the scientific findings of the projects but also, importantly, detail the methodological advances made in the field of membrane research, keeping Aston University at the cutting edge of this field.
The intersectoral nature of MemTrain places our ESRs in an excellent position to translate their research into real world impacts. Whilst this takes time, we have identified a number of projects with significant impact potential.
• We have illustrated the improved yield and stability of membrane protein targets when using novel solubilisation agents such as polymers or novel detergents from Calixar. This provides case studies and technical notes for the partner, increasing their visibility and enabling the field to move forwards.
• We were able to successfully express and purify a fungal membrane protein drug target and developed a spectroscopic functional assay to enable future medicinal chemistry optimisation of the drug series by F2G Ltd.
• We developed a novel targeted polymer-lipid nanoparticle for delivery of doxorubicin to breast cancer cells. On the basis of these results we have been granted BBSRC Impact Accelerator funding to continue this work.”
• We have produced engineered Clostridial strains that are more tolerant to butanol, opening up avenues for commercialisation of biobutanol production to mitigate the harmful effects of petrochemical-derived products.
• We showed that certain reactive compounds can activate a specific membrane receptor that have anti-inflammatory effects, with important implications for understanding regulation of inflammation in disease.
Furthermore, we have made advances on state of the art in a number of areas including, optimisation of membrane protein expression and purification, isolation of extracellular vesicles from cell culture media and production of antibodies as therapeutics. Our ongoing relationships with industrial partners will ensure we maximise impact.
Beyond scientific impact from the results of ESR’s work, we have identified impact from our training on:
Employability – approximately half of the ESRs were able to undertake in person, industrial secondments, which were limited by the Covid-19 pandemic. This has resulted in a number of the ESRs taking up positions in both SMEs and larger industrial research organisations. All ESRs who have completed their PhDs are now in employment within science.
Management and Leadership – ESRs from both cohorts have been involved in supervision of undergraduate and masters students within their laboratories which has given them experience of leading other projects. As the ESRs have become more senior, they have been involved in organising weekly lab meetings, monthly larger group meetings and a monthly seminar series, for which they acquired external sponsorship.
Communication and Outreach – all ESRs took part in our British Council funded project exploring knowledge exchange in a pandemic which provided the opportunity to develop their communication and outreach skills. In addition to this, it built their networks across Asia and Australia.
Developing Long-term Research Networks – all ESRs have attended the UK Membrane Protein Workshop which provided extensive networking opportunities, as well as networks gained from the activities above. Additionally, they each attended conferences within their specialist field which provided strong networking opportunities.
• We have illustrated the improved yield and stability of membrane protein targets when using novel solubilisation agents such as polymers or novel detergents from Calixar. This provides case studies and technical notes for the partner, increasing their visibility and enabling the field to move forwards.
• We were able to successfully express and purify a fungal membrane protein drug target and developed a spectroscopic functional assay to enable future medicinal chemistry optimisation of the drug series by F2G Ltd.
• We developed a novel targeted polymer-lipid nanoparticle for delivery of doxorubicin to breast cancer cells. On the basis of these results we have been granted BBSRC Impact Accelerator funding to continue this work.”
• We have produced engineered Clostridial strains that are more tolerant to butanol, opening up avenues for commercialisation of biobutanol production to mitigate the harmful effects of petrochemical-derived products.
• We showed that certain reactive compounds can activate a specific membrane receptor that have anti-inflammatory effects, with important implications for understanding regulation of inflammation in disease.
Furthermore, we have made advances on state of the art in a number of areas including, optimisation of membrane protein expression and purification, isolation of extracellular vesicles from cell culture media and production of antibodies as therapeutics. Our ongoing relationships with industrial partners will ensure we maximise impact.
Beyond scientific impact from the results of ESR’s work, we have identified impact from our training on:
Employability – approximately half of the ESRs were able to undertake in person, industrial secondments, which were limited by the Covid-19 pandemic. This has resulted in a number of the ESRs taking up positions in both SMEs and larger industrial research organisations. All ESRs who have completed their PhDs are now in employment within science.
Management and Leadership – ESRs from both cohorts have been involved in supervision of undergraduate and masters students within their laboratories which has given them experience of leading other projects. As the ESRs have become more senior, they have been involved in organising weekly lab meetings, monthly larger group meetings and a monthly seminar series, for which they acquired external sponsorship.
Communication and Outreach – all ESRs took part in our British Council funded project exploring knowledge exchange in a pandemic which provided the opportunity to develop their communication and outreach skills. In addition to this, it built their networks across Asia and Australia.
Developing Long-term Research Networks – all ESRs have attended the UK Membrane Protein Workshop which provided extensive networking opportunities, as well as networks gained from the activities above. Additionally, they each attended conferences within their specialist field which provided strong networking opportunities.