An 18-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Loughborough University and LGC has helped to enhance a technology that could effectively diagnose and monitor a range of illnesses.
The incidence of age-related diseases is increasing. Many of these conditions are caused by imbalances in the biometals that support the body’s healthy physiology.
The challenge
Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) can be used to create images of tissue sections showing the distribution of metals and metalloids. However, the full potential of this approach has been limited by poor accuracy and lengthy imaging times.
The solution
The KTP has addressed the issues of speed and detection power, enhancing both – potentially making disease diagnosis and monitoring more effective.
The benefits
The 18-month partnership provided LGC with access to new technology and expertise, strengthening its place at the forefront of a rapidly developing area of bioscience. The company has also been able to enhance its relationships with manufacturers and clinical end-users – and forecasts an increase in its turnover.
Dr Julian Braybrook – Director of Measurement Science and Partnerships at LGC – says of the partnership: “This KTP has allowed us to capitalise on our embedded expertise and capabilities such that we are better positioned to realise identified business opportunities.”
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