2013
November
October
July
May
Dr. Phil Smith
TSN Co-ordinator
Phil has had a long standing career here on the Norwich Research Park and the Teacher Scientist Network (TSN). TSN and Phil’s aims as co-ordinator has been: to support and encourage teachers to deliver up-to-date and relevant science; to encourage scientists to interact with teachers and children; and to help counteract the ‘eccentric boffin’ stereotype of scientists!
Prof. Michael McArthur
CSO and founder of Procarta Biosystems Ltd.
Michael McArthur has recently moved from the John Innes Centre, Dep. of Molecular Microbiology, to UEA (MED) following his appointment to Professor Nanomedicine.
Procarta Biosystems Ltd. are developing a novel technology for the treatment of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. Michael received the BBSRC ‘Most Promising Innovator Award’ in 2010.
Michael McArthur was appointed Professor Nanomedicine at the School of Medicine, UEA in 2013. During his previous appointment at the John Innes Centre, Prof. McArthur co-founded Procarta Biosystems Ltd., a spin-out company from the John Innes Centre and Plant Biosciences Ltd, with Prof. Mervyn Bibb (JIC) following their discovery of a novel method of controlling bacterial gene expression (find their paper here).
Prof. McArthur’s Enterprise and Engagement club seminar introduces the science behind the novel DNA-based therapeutics Procarta are developing, known as snareTM antibiotics. A key advantage of Procarta’s exciting new technology is that it allows the treatment of numerous drug-resistant bacterial infections, including MRSA in animal models, and can be easily adapted to suit current and future needs in clinical environments. Such work is crucial if we are to combat the growing numbers of multidrug resistant bacterial infections and ‘superbugs’.
For more information on Procarta Biosystems Limited, you can find their website here
Mun Keat Looi
Professional science writer and editor
Mun Keat Looi is a professional science writer and editor, renowned blogger at The Welcome Trust and co-author of the popular science book “The Big Questions in Science: The quest for the great unknowns”. Mun Keat has vast experience in scientific writing and communication and has pioneered in digital and online science communication. Mun Keat gave the talk “The Digital Revolution” where he spoke about his career.
In recent years Mun Keat has carried out work for various companies/publications including Wellcome Trust, SciDev.Net, The Gaurdian, Thomson Reuters and the Nuffield Council on Bioethics.
Since 2008 Mun Keat has produced, commissioned, edited, and written a large range of varied online content for The Welcome Trust, pioneering their multimedia outlets from news features and infographics, to the Trusts websites and blog magazines. He has additionally been championing the Trusts expansion into the daunting but highly valuable social networking environment, while strategising the company’s online communications. Alongside this he has been an Executive Committee member and co-Director of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW). Over the last 5 years he has had stints as News and Web Editor for the ABSW, writing, editing and commissioning news on and affecting science writing and journalism. As Web Editor he has been overseeing the ABSW website and social networking channels as well as organising various events.
Mun Keat has recently co-authored a fantastic book published in September 2013: The Big Questions in Science: The quest for the great unknowns. In the book they discuss some truly tantalizing questions such as “can we live forever” and “what makes us human?”.
Martin Goymour
Chair of the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA)
Martin Goymour is the founder of Banham Zoo and also owned Africa Alive, he recently gifted both these wildlife organisations to ZSEA to help preserve their long term future. Martin talked about the beginnings of Banham Zoo, and his enthusiasm for wildlife and conservation and his ambitions for the future. Both Banham Zoo and Africa Alive are top tourist attractions for our region, and have major roles in conservation.
Benjamin, after successful completing his PhD in 2010 with Dr Matt Hutchings, UEA, investigating the lipoprotein biogenesis pathway in Streptomyces, has been heavily involved in science communication, championing current and sometimes controversial research to the public. He presented a talk: “Moving to the Dark Side: How I left the bench and moved into PR”, where he spoke in detail about his career progression from active research here at UEA to science writing, via the Wellcome Trust, to his current position as senior public relations officer at the Society for General Microbiology. Below are links to some of Bens online work:
Benjamin’s posts with the Wellcome Trust:
http://blog.wellcome.ac.uk/author/drthommo/
Microbeblog, where Benjamin has been an active blogger for years:
http://microbelog.wordpress.com
SGM podcast (2nd half) where Benjamin interviews the 2013 NRP-UEA iGEM team:
http://microbepost.org/2013/10/01/microbe-talk-october-2013/
Dr Benjamin Thompson
SGM-Senior Public Relations Officer
In 1995 the idea for a more cost-effective and rapid DNA sequencing service was conceived by David and his colleague Dr Shankar Balasubramanian in Cambridge. Over the next couple of years this idea evolved to make use of clonal arrays and solid phase sequencing (SBS sequencing) to minimise DNA amplification costs. In order to realise the full potential of this novel technology and ensure its funding, the duo took advantage of local talent and recruited a number of highly-skilled board members specialising in enterprise, genetics and chemistry. Armed with this knowledge, they approached the venture capital firm Abingworth Management. They were happy to provide initial seed funding, and in 1998, Solexa was born. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength, attracting millions of pounds in funding and steadily grew in size and capability. In 2005 Solexa sequenced its first genome, and the following year it launched its first commercialisation system. The technology has been pivotal to the sequencing of hundreds of genomes from different species. In early 2007 Solexa was acquired by Illumina and continues to offer rapid DNA sequencing services today. It was a pleasure to welcome David to the UEA and to hear his talk, during which he offered expert tips on start-up companies and lots of advice for budding entrepreneurs.
Professor David Klenerman
Co-founder, Solexa