Establishment of research themes and identification of groups of Principal Investigators

The identification of collaborators from inside and outside STFC will be a principal activity in the early days of the network. The network will aim to seeking project and programme funding from a wide base using the collaborations that will be enabled. In particular we will be targeting those funding sources that would otherwise be inaccessible without the medical collaborations.

Organisation of workshops/seminars based around initial themes

To encourage interactions within the Network from both inside and outside STFC it is envisaged that a series of workshops and seminars will be organized using the network funds. These meetings will address specific areas where science and technology requires more dialogue and stronger links. The subject for the first workshop has already been the subject of some discussion. There would be an immediate impact for an early meeting on ~~The Application of IR Spectroscopy in the Investigation of Disease~~.

Informing STFC staff as to work in progress outside the laboratories is considered very important. Therefore a series of lectures by invited external speakers will be arranged.

During the term of the network it is envisaged that two major international meeting will be organised. The current intention is that they will bring together several of the areas which the network is supporting in a quest for synergistic relationships between them.

Participation in external meetings

Clearly, attendance at external meetings will allow wide dissemination of the work being performed, and the technology available at STFC facilities.

Provide infrastructure support for the activities of the Network

Coordination of meeting and information dissemination is anticipated within the network budget.

Visiting fellows and funded PDRA

It is anticipated that the network will support infrastructure costs for short term and longer term visiting scientists.

Studentships

We have requested support for three studentships per year, 50% funded from the network. The remaining 50% would come from collaborating HEIs via the normal routes.

The Biomed Network has so far funded 10 PhD students - 4 completed, 2 under write-up and another 4 to complete over the next 3 years.