Further grant-aided purchase boosts AIME’s status as regional science leader

The award from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) enabled the purchase of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Orbitrap Ascend Tribrid mass spectrometer for use by Dr Ivana Milic’s team’s cell research.

Focused on the analysis of proteins and lipids within cell membranes, the work will explore how small changes within the latter impacts overall function.

Purchase of the spectrometer is a significant scientific coup for Aston as the instrument has not previously been available beyond the so-called golden triangle of London, Oxford and Cambridge.

“Creation of Ascend, a one-of-a-kind multi-omics platform, will allow us to explore the intricate interactions between proteins and lipids that drive vital cellular processes,” said Milic.

“This deeper understanding will pave the way to developing new therapeutics for diseases and age-related conditions that currently have poor solutions.”

The benefits will extend beyond Aston, with more than 20 membrane and bioscience research groups, including in regions outside the Midlands, also receiving access.

Milic noted it would provide opportunities to train and mentor the next generation of the region’s researchers.

“Providing them with hands-on experience in advanced mass spectrometry will be impactful for their careers and for addressing the critical skills gaps in complex data analyses across the region,” she said.

Last month, money from the Wolfson Foundation enabled AIME to purchase a state-of-the-art confocal spinning disc microscope, facilitating faster studies into cognitive decline led by professor Roslyn Bill.

In addition, the Department of Science, Industry and Technology (DSIT) provided £6.1 million support, with another £7.1million in co-funding including from Science Card and Bruntwood SciTech to fund the institute’s water filtration project, MEMetic