Professor Jonathan Seville, President IChemE, at the IMSE Annual Stakeholder Event
The Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering's April events exemplify the broad reach of the Institute's activities.
‘Smart surfaces’ to tackle antimicrobial resistance
At the start of the month, the Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering (IMSE) hosted a one-day workshop on the development of ‘smart surfaces’ to tackle antimicrobial resistance. More than 30 researchers from across the College’s faculties, as well as the Imperial Healthcare Trust, came together to discuss the pressing need to reduce the spread of microbes in a variety of situations – and particularly how this can be achieved through molecular surface engineering.
IMSE can link an extraordinary array of expertise and enthusiasm on antimicrobial resistance
– Professor Alison Holmes
Professor of Infectious Diseases
The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has arisen as microbes naturally become ever-more immune to the action of drugs. Drug-resistant infections are now the cause of more than half a million deaths around the world each year, and it is thought that this number will rise to more than 10 million by 2050.
To address this global challenge, a multifaceted approach is undoubtedly required. With its wide pool of affiliates, IMSE – together with other Imperial initiatives such as the Antimicrobial Research Collaborative – provides a fantastic opportunity to stimulate multidisciplinary collaborations around this subject.
Professor Alison Holmes at the IMSE AMR workshop
After ‘scene setting’ from Professor Alison Holmes – Professor of Infectious Diseases, as well as the Director of Infection Prevention and Control, and Associate Medical Director for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – the first half of the workshop featured short research-highlight talks from various Imperial researchers. Research talks were also presented by Professor Bo Su (University of Bristol) and, via Skype, Professor Michael Brenner (Harvard University).
In the afternoon, workshop attendees split into three groups – each representing a broad range of backgrounds – to brainstorm critical questions and needs within three central themes: issues relating to end use, surface engineering, and bacteria/surface interactions.
Going forward, the hope is that new multidisciplinary collaborations formed at the workshop will lead to AMR-focused projects. That is, where the potential of Imperial’s facilities and expertise can be fully utilised.
Celebrating transdisciplinary research
On 20th April IMSE held their first Annual Stakeholder Event to celebrate and showcase the results of seven transdisciplinary research projects – including a study of chemical compounds that may have been important building blocks for galaxies – funded by the Institute.
Featuring talks (some given in the fast-paced PechaKucha style) and posters on each of the projects, the afternoon attracted a broad range of guests – from academia, industry, scholarly societies and the general public.
Dr Vladimir Yufit and Dr Qilei Song discuss their research
It is not enough to simply make molecules – we must make molecules work for a complex world
– Professor Claire Adjiman
IMSE Co-Director
Despite these small-scale ‘seed-funded’ projects lasting only four months and involving brand-new collaborations across multiple Imperial departments and faculties, a common story – the need to do more – emerged from them all. These projects represent just the first steps in much more complex programmes of work, and many of the researchers have already secured additional follow-up funds and studentships.
Shaping the molecular science and engineering discourse
The Annual Stakeholder Event also served as the official launch of IMSE’s briefing papers.
IMSE Co-Directors Professor Claire Adjiman and Professor Nic Harrison launched the briefing paper series
It is important for Imperial to influence policy – such as with the new IMSE briefing papers
– Professor Nick Jennings
Vice-Provost (Research)
The first paper in the series – Molecular science and engineering: A powerful transdisciplinary approach to solving grand challenges – provides an overview of the molecular science and engineering concept, as well as IMSE’s ongoing community-building and research-driving activities.
"Productive tension"
To close the event, Professor Jonathan Seville – President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers – provided a keynote address. He described how the duties of scientists and engineers –to inform society and fellow scientists about new advances, to educate the next generation and to conduct relevant research – align closely with IMSE’s activities.
He also explained how the Institute provides a great opportunity to relieve the “productive tension” that commonly exists between scientists and engineers. That is, by bringing engineers, scientists, medics and business researchers together, IMSE can help to bridge the gulf that commonly separates the results of ‘ideal science’ and the practical results required by engineers to solve specific real-world problems.
Upcoming IMSE events
To close out a very busy April, IMSE will welcome Professor Paula Hammond (MIT) to deliver a BASF-sponsored Highlight Seminar – Nanolayered drug release systems for regenerative medicine and targeted nanotherapies – on 27th April at 14.00.
On 24th May, IMSE will hold a workshop on the future of additive manufacturing. To register your interest, please contact Rebecca Blaylock.
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Dr Shoshana Z Weider
Faculty of Engineering
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