T&D Technology Speciality Technology Areas include:

Biosensors, chemical sensors and other analytical devices.

Biocatalysis and biomanufacturing - the use of enzymes or whole cells to produce pharmaceuticals, intermediates and fine chemicals.

Polymers and polymer synthesis - application areas include biocatalysis support manufacture, speciality polymers for biosensors and inks, polymers with biomedical applications and biomaterials.

Stabilisation of proteins, especially enzymes. Application areas include diagnostic assays, pharmaceutical formulations, analytical devices, biocatalysis and biosensor fabrication.

Troubleshooting in protein formulations, protein delivery systems, protein matrices, protein based analytical devices, immobilisation chemistries, problems associated with protein stability and incompatibility problems.

Medtronic Minimed Inc.
T&D Technology have been appointed as speciality consultants in certain aspects of insulin delivery systems by Medtronic Minimed Inc. www.minimed.com

The specific technological expertise on protein based systems contained within T&D Technology has been utilised in the product development process by Medtronic Minimed Inc. and is a good example of direct consultancy assisting in speciality areas, irrespective of geographical location.

Pro-Bio Faraday Partnership.

The Pro-Bio Faraday Partnershp is the UK Centre of Excellence for biocatalysis and biotransformations and is defined as follows:

'The DTI funded Pro-Bio Faraday Partnership is a national focus for collaboration between universities and industry that aims to meet the current challenge of integrating rapid advances in biosciences with the necessary equipment and process advances, to ultimately implement biocatalytic manufacturing processes on a wider scale than exists today.'

Full information on the partnership is available on: www.pro-bio-faraday.com

Case Study

In December 2001, T&D Technology were commissioned to start collating data and information to produce a new resource manual for the biocatalysis and biomanufacturing industry. The manual is designed to list information on the supply of enzymes, cells and services useful in the biocatalysis field, as well as to provide details of the biocatalysts themselves. Both academic and industrial suppliers of biocatalysts are to be included in the resource, and the identification and availability of novel biocatalysts coming from the academic environment will be a significant advance in the industry.

The first draft report that forms the basis of the new resource has been completed and the next phase of development is now starting, with T&D Technology taking a leading role in the sourcing and inclusion of new biocatalysts.

Information on the progress of the development of the resource manual is available from the director of the Pro-Bio Faraday Partnership, Dr David Gardner. Telephone 0151 347 2918 and E-mail. david.gardner@capenhurst.com

BIOWISE

Dr Tim Gibson at T&D Technology has been included in the BIOWISE programme as an Independent Biotechnology Specialist (IBS) since May 2000.

BIOWISE is the major biotechnology initiative of the DTI and can be found on www.dti.gov.uk/biowise or on the following e-mail address: biowise.help@aeat.co.uk

Any information required on the use or uptake of biotechnology in industry can be obtained by telephoning the BIOWISE Helpline on: 0800 432100 Up to 4 hours free advice may be available through the BIOWISE Helpline service in many aspects of biotechnology.

Also, BIOWISE has finance available to award Demonstrator Projects in the uptake or demonstration of biotechnology in solutions for industry. Call the Helpline for more information.

University of Leeds

T&D Technology has direct contact with the University of Leeds, particularly in the School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Collaboration with Dr Paul Millner in the development of stabilisation systems for OP pesticide biosensors is part of the EU project SAFEGARD and a related DEFRA funded project.

Also the availability of Phage Display and C-DNA library production for specific application areas is being explored with Dr Millner.

Direct contact details are available through the University web site: www.leeds.ac.uk

A direct link to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is at: www.bmb.leeds.ac.uk

Technology Brokerage.

T&D Technology also offer a brokerage service to develop technology and create connections with strategic partners able to provide the correct contract R&D environment for outsourced R&D projects or to assist in the commercialisation of new technology.

Technology Available now for Licensing or Contract Research:

Enzyme and Protein Stabilisation. Dry stability and solution stability both available. (More info.)
Novel Protein Immobilisation Technology.
Stability Screening Service and Rapid Testing Service for Formulation Development.
Novel Biocatalysis and Bioremediation System. (More info.)
Support Immobilised Enzymes and Cells.
Speciality Polymers. e.g. magnetic supports for biocatalysts, functional polymers.
Molecular Imprinted Polymers by Combinatorial Design.
Rapid Sensor Technologies for Fluids and Headspace, including Non-Invasive Monitoring.
Holographic Sensor Technology.
Phage Display Affinity Reagent Service and C-DNA Combinatorial Library Service
RNA Display
Mass Spectroscopy Services for Proteomics / Proteins.

Each of these technologies is available for interested parties to explore and discuss requirements. Please contact T&D Technology to create the required introductions with the technology providers.

A number of non-confidential detailed technology profiles are included for some of the listed technologies.