New Mass Spectrometry Centre rises to scientific challenges
Posted on 10 July 2008
It is being created thanks to a major capital investment of £1.6 million through Science City York, supported by Yorkshire Forward with funds from the Northern Way Initiative.
The new instruments will revolutionise our ability to tackle even the most challenging problems
Professor Jane Thomas-Oates
The new centre of excellence, a joint initiative between the University’s Departments of Biology and Chemistry, will draw on their extensive research experience in mass spectrometry.
Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical tool which can help to answer a wide range of biological and chemical questions. For example, the identification and characterisation of proteins — of interest to researchers involved in the discovery of new therapeutic targets and to the biopharmaceutical industry for the characterisation of new potential products. Other applications include the discovery of novel catalysts that underpin many production processes through the ability to study catalytic intermediates and mechanisms.
Professor Jane Thomas-Oates, of the Department of Chemistry, who chairs the centre, said: "The new instruments will revolutionise our ability to tackle even the most challenging problems. They will give researchers in the two departments the opportunity to expand their research in many novel directions."Bruker Daltonics GmbH has been chosen as sole supplier of the instruments, and its Executive Vice-President, Dr Ian Sanders, said: "We are really looking forward to working with the University to show-case our instruments and establish a long term relationship for future developments."
The University’s Enterprise and Innovation Office at the University and Science City York will develop the new centre’s commercial aspects. Dr Joe Ross, Business Development Manager at the University, said: "The new centre builds on our excellent track record in making our world class research base available to the business community. It will be of interest to many different businesses who need access to this important analytical technique."
Steph Morris, Bioscience Sector Specialist at Science City York, added: "The new facilities will support the economic and scientific prosperity of York and the surrounding area, and will form an important part of Science City York's ‘Hub and Spoke’ concept. The Northern Way's investment in this Centre of Excellence will help to strengthen the profile of northern regions in cutting edge science and innovation."
The new instruments will be located in the Dorothy Hodgkin building in the Department of Chemistry and the Technology Facility, Department of Biology. Dr John Pillmoor, Director of the Technology Facility said: "This is a great opportunity to develop further the highly successful research support services that we offer through the Technology Facility and increase accessibility of mass spectrometry to researchers and businesses in the North of England."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
More Information:Dr Joe Ross
Business Development Manager for Life Science, Health and Medicine
Tel: +44 (0)1904 435289
Email: jrt23@york.ac.uk
Dr Mark Mortimer
Business Development Manager for Chemistry and Physical Sciences
Tel: +44 (0)1904 435286
Email: marm501@york.ac.uk
Dr John Pillmoor
Technology Facility Director
Tel: +44 (0)1904 328511
Email: jp40@york.ac.uk
- The University of York’s Department of Biology is one of the leading centres for biological teaching and research in the UK. The Department both teaches degree courses and undertakes research across the whole spectrum of modern Biology, from molecular genetics and biochemistry to ecology. Its biomedical research includes an Immunology and Infection Unit (jointly with the Hull York Medical School), work on infertility and three research professors funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research and York Against Cancer.
- The Department of Chemistry at the University of York has an excellent reputation for teaching and research. In the last Research Assessment Exercise the department was awarded a 5 rating and was rated by the NSS as the leading chemistry department in the UK for student satisfaction. It is led by prize-winners in all areas of chemistry. It has over 50 members of academic staff, more than 400 undergraduate students, 160 graduates and 80 research fellows.
- The University of York Technology Facility is a premier research support and technology training unit in the Department of Biology. With 19 expert staff and more than £6.5 million of advanced equipment in 2,000 square metres of laboratory space, it provides access to important bioscience technology platforms for University and external researchers.
- Science City York is a successful business and skills development initiative, driving the creation and growth of business and employment opportunities across York and North Yorkshire in bioscience, IT and digital and the creative industries. Established in 1998 as a partnership between City of York Council and The University of York with significant backing from business, Science City York is supported by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and the Humber.
- Yorkshire Forward over the past year has created or safeguarded more than 22,254 jobs; helped create and attract more than 1067 new businesses, assisted 60,005 people in skills, and attracted £467m in investment — achieving or exceeding all of the targets it was set.
- The Northern Way is a unique collaboration led by the three Northern Regional Development Agencies (One NorthEast, Northwest Regional Development Agency and Yorkshire Forward) working with partners to close the £30 billion output gap between the North and the average for England over a 25 year period. With a population of 14.5 million the North is equivalent to a medium-sized country (such as Sweden) with a large internal market. Its economy is worth in excess of £200 billion. The North has undergone a period of revival over the last nine years. Its economy is now stronger than at any time in the last 40 years and employment is at a post-war high. Local authorities and RDAs have led the revitalisation of our regions, cities, towns and local communities.