The Milner Therapeutics Institute at the University of Cambridge was set up to find new ways to directly interact with industry. By enabling such collaborations, the Institute aims to support the translation of research to patients. Nicola McCarthy’s team work on target identification and validation through the use of human in vitro models, foregoing animal models completely. They partner many types of life science organisations, relying on collaboration to conduct their work.
McCarthy highlighted the Institute’s three pillars that underly their research. First is the Pharma Collaboration Platform, an overarching agreement between nine pharma companies which allows them to work with any academic at the University of Cambridge, Sanger or the Babraham Institutes, allowing for straightforward academic-pharma partnerships.
Second is Milner’s Frame Shift Bioincubator. This provides an environment for companies to work side by side with startups, pharma, and academic scientists in an environment which promotes collaboration and entrepreneurship. These companies, large and small, come from all over the country, and are generally focused on cell based models. McCarthy mentioned that the Milner was currently expanding its bioincubator, driven by a large pipeline of startup companies wanting to join.
Finally, is the Institute’s in-house research capabilities, which is the team that McCarthy leads as the head of research. She then went on to talk about the Institute’s new group called the Functional Genomics Screening Laboratory (FGSL). This new lab will focus on complex human in vitro cell models, collaborating with AstraZeneca and aligning with the UKRI’s Human Functional Genomics Initiative.
Furthermore, the lab will use arrayed CRISPR screening to analyse gene function in various models, ensuring that the models can be effectively edited by Cas9 and guide RNAs. The FGSL is open to collaborations and encourages researchers to apply for partnership opportunities, with reviews held twice a year.
