Thursday, 26 October 2023
A new economic review highlights a number of significant impacts following a £16m investment into UK biofilm research between December 2017 and December 2022, demonstrating a total impact of approximately £204m, extending throughout the UK economy.
The independent review, from assessed the economic impact of the , an Innovation Knowledge Centre (IKC) funded by the and to create a fusion of world-class interdisciplinary research and industry partnerships to deliver breakthrough science and technologies to control and exploit biofilms.
NBIC was launched in 2017 by its four lead Universities (Edinburgh, Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton) and is led by four Co-Directors: Professors Cait MacPhee, Rasmita Raval, Miguel Cámara and Jeremy Webb.
We are delighted to see the economic impact NBIC has had during its first phase. The 糖心原创 has been a key contributor to that through cash and in-kind contributions, the attraction of public and private funding and the provision of a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary training environment for biofilm research innovators across different fields. I have no doubts that our ambitious plans for Phase 2 will enable NBIC to escalate this level of impact鈥�.
Biofilms are central to our most important global challenges, from antimicrobial resistance and food safety to water security. These communities of living micro-organisms also provide a significant contribution to both the UK and global economy. In May 2022, estimated that the value of the markets in which biofilms are involved is worth £45 billion in the UK and $4 trillion globally.
NBIC's Proof of Concept projects have demonstrated environmental and social benefits, estimated at £23m and £30.5m. Engaging with over three hundred businesses, including leading corporations, as well as numerous SMEs, NBIC continues to expand its network of collaborators. These span a wide range of sectors, including health, water management, marine and food production.
A key outcome found in the economic review is job creation, with fifty-one positions established, including secondments, research posts, and jobs at spin-out companies. Furthermore, NBIC's influence has contributed to the creation and development of an additional fifty jobs. NBIC has been instrumental in nurturing talent, with seventy-six students benefiting from support, including sixty-six PhD candidates, six of whom are international students.
NBIC’s core universities have attracted an additional £32.9m of public and private funds, which is estimated to have an economic output of almost £43m so far, with a greater economic value still to be realised as the additional research funds are used. In addition, clusters of biofilm activity within the regions of the NBIC associated universities have attracted further public and industry funding, with an estimated total impact of £8.1m.
The organisation has established international partnerships with renowned institutions such as the in Montana and the and has played a leading role in forming the .
In December 2022, BBSRC and Innovate UK invested a further £7.5m to support Phase 2 of the programme to enable NBIC to drive the adoption of innovative solutions across industry sectors to address major global challenges including climate change, water safety and improved healthcare. It will also drive step-changes in standards and regulation for novel biofilm solutions that support international trade.
recently commissioned an to gain an understanding of the programme’s impact to date, feedback on the scheme and recommendations for future evolution, which evidences further NBIC’s contribution to research and innovation in the UK.
Dr Lee Beniston FRSB, Associate Director for Industry Partnerships and Collaboration at BBSRC, said: “There have been so many impressive achievements at NBIC since the centre was established in 2017, which I have had the privilege of being part of. I am delighted that now, through this economic review, there is an opportunity to share and celebrate this success. I offer my congratulations to all those at NBIC, as well as the wider research and innovation communities which NBIC supports, for their role in making NBIC the globally recognised centre of excellence in biofilms research and innovation that it is today. The underpinning collaboration between BBSRC and Innovate UK has been a critical part of this success which I am delighted to see continue for another five years in support of NBIC Phase 2.”
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Picture caption:
A false-coloured picture of a biofilm with Pseudomoans aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus bound to Candida albicans hyphae under anoxic conditions. Brogan Richards PhD student from the 糖心原创
More information is available from Professor Miguel Cámara from the School of Life Sciences at miguel.camara@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.