Over 120 business people packed into the Hauser Forum West café last November to hear 25 University ‘healthcare’ researchers showcase their work.

The event was run with Cambridge Network and was chaired by Dr Hermann Hauser and Prof Sir Mark Welland. Researchers were invited to present to Cambridge Network’s audience in succinct 2 minute talks about their project and the envisaged application and impact. Dr Paula Cawkill and Dr Chris Pearson, with the help of other University of Cambridge Knowledge Transfer Facilitators co-ordinated, coached and helped the selection of speakers rehearse prior to the event which was supported by the MRC Proximity to Discovery: Industry Engagement Award and the EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account.

As the audience listened to a variety talks from across the whole University it became apparent that there are some amazing projects being developed. Topics ranged from 3D printing in canine elbow surgery to new ways of drug and nutrient delivery to an infant via the mother. There was an environmental project to look at the heating and cooling of domestic and public buildings in China, with the added complication of the environmental impact on policy. Also, projects from the Department of Psychiatry where personalised data is being collected and fed back into NHS data; machine learning for personalised medicine from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and DNA origami nanopores from the Department of Physics.  

Cambridge is a world-class centre for cancer research and the audience heard from researchers looking at ways of less invasive oesophageal cancer detection techniques using a ‘cytosponge’ and tumour treatment analysis using molecular imaging techniques which are far cheaper and quicker than current techniques. The audience also heard about a project to develop a technology to automate glucose control with an artificial pancreas system. Other new developments in projects were alternative ways to cryopreserve cells and the use of natural polyelectrolyte complexes for wound healing applications.

Following the presentations there was ample time for the audience of investors and industry to network over a glass of wine with the researchers. There were exchanges of business cards, discussions of the talks and advice, hopefully with a view to follow up and the potential for collaborating in the future.

We have had lots positive feedback from both the presenters and the industry attendees, both sides have benefitted and there have already been some post-event follow up discussions on the science presented. Some of the feedback comments from the audience were:-

“Hugely inspirational application of clever stuff”

“Confident and enthusiastic speakers. Truly refreshing”

“Showcase of amazing research to commercials”

Following on from the success of this event we are planning another one in the area of Agritech later in the year. Please contact us if you have ideas for future topics.