BBSRC is investing £10M in advanced scientific research instruments to help keep the UK at the forefront of biological sciences research.
The 20 grants from the BBSRC Advanced Life Sciences Research Technology Initiative (ALERT 13) represent the first major equipment purchasing grant scheme from BBSRC since 2007.
The equipment funded includes a super-resolution microscope for plant scientists, the UK's first two commercial Fluorescence Light Sheet Microscopes and the establishment of a consortium for three-dimensional electron microscopy at Oxford Brookes University.
A full list of the funded equipment and costs is available in 'Notes to Editors'.
The ALERT 13 scheme preferentially funds applications where the equipment will get maximum use, and sharing between research groups is encouraged.
Collaboration and extending access to the instruments to industry and public sector users is also encouraged to enhance the potential impact of research.
Professor Jackie Hunter, BBSRC Chief Executive, said: "This funding represents a significant investment in advanced equipment for UK scientists and underlines BBSRC's commitment to making sure its research community has the best resources to continue to undertake world-leading research."
Notes to Editors
Contact:
Chris Melvin, media officer BBSRC: 01793 414694, chris.melvin@bbsrc.ac.uk
The equipment funded by BBSRC through ALERT 13 is:
Project Organisation Principal Investigator Cost
Energy filter with direct electron detector for electron cryo tomography Birkbeck College Professor Helen Saibil £654,012.80
A Super-Resolution Microscope for use by Plant Cell Biologists, N8 partners, Durham Scientists and Collaborators. Durham University Professor Patrick Hussey £901,527.98
A Superresolution microscope for biological research in the multi-user Microscopy Facility [FILM]: ALERT 13 Imperial College London Professor Anthony Magee £731,582.23
The Oxford Consortium for Three Dimensional Electron Microscopy Oxford Brookes University Professor Christopher Hawes £747,872.86
A sharper light from gSTED microscopy on biological structure and molecular interactions STFC - Laboratories Professor Marisa Martin-Fernandez £702,044.58
The Research Complex at Harwell LIFEtime Instrument STFC - Laboratories Professor Michael Towrie £828,604.08
Multi-purpose instrument for advanced Raman spectroscopy techniques The University of Manchester Professor Royston Goodacre £409,321.60
Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange and Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry to Underpin Research on Protein Interactions The University of Manchester Professor Perdita Barran £498,946.61
Purchase of Affymetrix GeneTitan for use in high throughput genotyping University of Bristol Professor Keith Edwards £326,207.61
Photo-oxidation and cryofluorescence for Correlative Light Electron Microscopy. University of Bristol Professor David Stephens £643,780.53
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy to Investigate Cellular Dynamics in Host-Pathogen Interactions University of Exeter Professor Gero Steinberg £364,726.66
High-throughput low-volume crystallisation facility University of Leeds Professor Adrian Goldman £409,321.60
Liverpool 3View: a national hub for 3D-EM bioscience research University of Liverpool Dr Ian Prior £208,011.83
Establishing Single Molecule Real Time Sequencing for the North of the UK University of Liverpool Professor Neil Hall £353,867.05
Mass spectrometry imaging for biology and biotechnology University of Liverpool Professor Robert Beynon £213,298.71
Fluorescence Light Sheet Microscopy for Live 3D and 4D imaging University of Liverpool Dr Violaine See £247,189.21
Multidisciplinary Super Resolution Microscopy Facility at Nottingham University University of Nottingham Professor Miguel Camara £735,267.44
Probing cell and tissue dynamics with lightsheet microscopy University of Oxford Dr Shankar Srinivas £452,215.42
A quantitative biomolecular interaction suite University of Sheffield Professor Stuart Wilson £223,657.74
FastScan atomic force microscope for rapid imaging and property measurement of biological systems under natural conditions. University of Sheffield Professor Jamie Hobbs £305,833.38
About BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.
Funded by Government, and with an annual budget of around £467M (2012-2013), we support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
For more information about BBSRC, our science and our impact see: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk
For more information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes see: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/institutes