Medicine celebrates success of collaboration to train local industry staff
A pioneering collaboration between local industry, Wickham Laboratories, and the University of Southampton has resulted in the successful training of lab staff using the skills and knowledge of Southampton’s Dr Sandrine Willaime-Morawek and her team, including Maureen Gatherer, Senior Technician.
Back in August 2011 Dr Willaime-Morawek was approached by Wickham Laboratories at a NC3R event in Southampton. Wickham were interested in developing a cell-based assay for toxin activity testing and were curious to know if the Faculty of Medicine could assist with this. Following several meetings in early 2012, and with help from Dr James Hamilton in RIS (Research & Innovation Services), a collaboration to work together to train 2 of Wickham’s staff on cell culture was agreed. The work was carried out over a period of 3 months using the Faculty of Medicine facilities through a consultancy contract. Later that year, Dr Willaime-Morawek helped Wickham to set up their own cell culture facility at the new company site, as well as confirm results of a key paper on toxin activity testing. This was followed more recently in 2013, with discussions around how to progress the project, scientifically and financially, with the input of one of Wickham Laboratories clients. This concluded in a second consultancy contract being signed in December 2013 to progress the project and gather preliminary data for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership application planned for 2014.
Sandrine Willaime-Morawek, Ph.D., is a Lecturer in Stem Cells/Brain Repair at the University of Southampton. Sandrine works in the Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, and the Clinical Neurosciences group. Sandrine comments ‘this is the first time that Medicine has worked collaboratively with local industry in a consultancy role to offer training, advice and outstanding facilities to enhance the development of laboratory personnel. It is hoped this is the first of many mutually beneficial partnerships which will impact positively on research and innovation for both the University and the industry sector and act as an important source of revenue for the University.’
The story of this collaboration will be showcased at the Health and Pharma UIST conference on 29 April. Register here.