LGC, the UK independent analytical laboratory providing chemical, biochemical and DNA analysis, has won over £2m funding in a series of eight DTI contracts
LGC, the UK independent analytical laboratory providing chemical, biochemical and DNA analysis, has won over £2m funding in a series of eight DTI contracts spanning the five themes of the Measurements for Biotechnology (MfB) programme.
The two largest contracts - for improving the comparability of data generated from gene expression microarrays and the quantification of proteins for proteome measurements - are worth over £500k each. LGC will lead both contracts awarded under Theme 1: Microarray technology, the outputs of which will be of particular importance in both the pharma and clinical diagnostics sectors.
The major contract is to investigate the performance and comparability of microarrays used for gene expression and transcript profiling studies.
LGC will be working with the Human Genome Mapping Project Microarray Resource Centre, NPL, Oxford BioMedica, Renovo and Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of London.
The second contract is in partnership with SmartBead Technologies, Genesis Diagnostics and Imperial College to investigate the measurement issues and technical challenges in producing and using protein microarrays.
Commenting on LGC's œ550k proteomics win under Theme 2: Genomics and proteomics, Dr John Marriott, LGC's Director of Analytical Technology and Government Chemist said: "Proteomics - the analysis of all proteins within a cell or cellular assembly with the aid of genetic information - is complex and requires several separate steps.
Mass spectrometry, which has become the industry standard for proteome analysis, will be our end-point detection method.
We will seek to advance current successful options based on isotope labelling.
Our outputs - novel methods and absolute quantification of proteins - will be of immediate benefit to industry and should place the UK in a lead position in biometrology." "So that we have the necessary technical skills for the proteomics contract, and the input of industry throughout, LGC will be working in partnership with the Michael Barber Centre for Mass Spectrometry at UMIST, with SMEs AFFINTI Research Products and Proteome Sciences, and with larger enterprises Avecia and GlaxoSmithKline," he explains. LGC's most recent win under the MfB programme is for five contracts spanning the themes 3-5.
Under Theme 3: Cell-based testing, LGC will partner FRAME to improve the inter-comparability of in vitro liver cell based measurements for drug metabolism and hepatotoxicity, an area of interest for pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.
The emphasis will be on developing key biomarkers to test the fitness for purpose of biological models containing P450 drug metabolism enzymes found in human liver cells, and the generation of a reliable supply of such cells (hepatocytes).
The outputs will assist the longer-term replacement of animal tests by, for example, in silico predictive modelling software.
LGC will lead on two contracts won under Theme 4b: Emerging methods for characterising biomolecules. Firstly, to develop and validate ultrasound spectroscopy for protein measurement in the biopharmaceutical industry, LGC will work with some of the originators of novel instrumentation at Process Analysis and Automation (PAA), and specialists in applied concepts at Leeds University.
For the second contract, LGC will explore an alternative technology for biological labelling for high throughput multiplexed analysis based on Surface Enhanced Resonance Raman Spectroscopy (SERRS) with the pioneers of this technique at the University of Strathclyde.
An industrial steering group (including Avecia, Link Technologies and AstraZeneca) will contribute practical knowledge, feedback and evaluation.
The final two contracts are under Theme 5: Trace biological measurement.
The first will be led by a joint team from LGC and NPL and will address uncertainties in biological measurements.
The work programme will address current practices, dissemination, interlaboratory studies, method validation, QC and uncertainty budget approaches.
The second will address the need for bio-reference materials, and to identify the main types that should be developed to support trace biomeasurement in the UK. LGC's partners will be PwC Consulting and NIBSC (National Institute for Biological Standards and Control).
Dr Richard Worswick, Chief Executive at LGC, commented: "We are pleased to be selected to deliver eight key contracts for the ground-breaking MfB programme, and to collaborate with Nottingham University on a ninth led by Molecular Profiles under Theme 4b. With the current advances in drug discovery, pharmacogenomics and personalised medicine at such a critical stage in the biopharma industry, LGC is keen to improve the robustness of microarray and related technologies, and the overall comparability and standardisation of measurements." Dr Worswick added: "The development a new biological measurement system cannot progress without collaboration from the biotechnology industry and others involved from the research and healthcare communities. To this end, LGC looks forward to team-building and sharing knowledge with a broad range of expert biotechnologists for the MfB programme."
