The University of Aberdeen named finalist in Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Activating Impact competition

The University of Aberdeen has been named as a finalist in national awards that recognise success in commercialising scientific research.

Aberdeen, Scotland, 20-2-2014 — /EuropaWire/ — The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Activating Impact competition celebrates the work of scientists, knowledge exchange practitioners and institutions in translating their research into social and economic benefits.

Substantial prize money is made available for innovative ideas to promote further successful translation.

This is the second year the University has reached the final stages of the contest that carries a winning prize of £100K and two runner up prizes of £50K.

Examples of the BBSRC-funded work that secured the University its shortlisting include:

• Research into campylobacter bacteria – the cause of the majority of food poisoning cases in the UK – that demonstrated for the first time that retail chicken is the most common source of this infection
• Research examining how to best tackle organisms that cause destructive diseases in plants and animals including potatoes and fish
• Investigations into mutations of proteins within the body that act on the male steroid hormones, testosterone and dehydrotestosterone, and have been linked with prostate cancer and disruption of male development
• Research into Zebrafish leading to formation of Vertebrate Antibodies Ltd, a successful business generating and selling antibodies for third parties

Dr James Duncan from the University’s Research and Innovation Team, said: “The University of Aberdeen is committed to knowledge exchange activity which maximises the impact of our excellent scientific research.

“The breadth of projects that secured the University this nomination is demonstrative of a diverse and innovative body of research funded by the BBSRC that is resulting in social and economic benefits.

A University team lead by Dr Duncan will be making their pitch at the completion final and award ceremony that takes place in London on March 20.

Notes for Editors
Issued by the Communications Team
Office of External Affairs, University of Aberdeen, King’s College, Aberdeen
Tel: +44 (0)1224 272014
Contact: Kelly Potts

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The University of Aberdeen has been named as a finalist in the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Activating Impact competition