Enhancing collaboration with industry, for the University of Exeter

The new engine of bioimaging innovation: how CARS microscopy can drive R&D across industry

Brief

CARS microscopy has the potential to become a vital R&D tool in the creation of new nanomedicines for thetreatment of neurological diseases such as dementia. Pioneering work by the University of Exeter’s School of Physics has helped show how the technique can be used to analyse tumours and the performance of drugs or chemicals within living cells. Bulletin Academic was tasked with communicating the technology’s capabilitiesto the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and chemical industries with the aim of establishing significant research collaborations.

Strategy

After researching published papers on CARS microscopy, we first interviewed the project’s lead academic to gaina thorough understanding of this complex technology. We then produced three research briefings detailing the key applications of CARS for each sector andexplaining how the technology could revolutionise current industry practices. These briefings were used to set up links between the university and world-leading firms in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and chemical sectors. We worked with Exeter’s RKT team to attract companies to a university workshop where several CARS experts from around Europe delivered presentations. Bulletin compiled a four-page review of the workshop discussions for distribution to attendees and other potential funders.

Impact

Industry engagement established potential research collaborations with some of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical and consumer product companies. Close to 50 people attended the workshop, where Bulletin reported on the event and networked with industry contacts. Around half of the participants explicitly said the event would impact upon their organisation, while many who could not attend are assessing the technology. The government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Cancer Research UK are looking to collaborate with the university, as are interested academic institutions. Demand for collaboration is now so intense that the university is recruiting another CARS researcher.