Major government funding for Greater 91直播 innovation in materials, health and AI
The University of Manchester is at the heart of four new projects that have received a share of millions of pounds awarded to the Greater 91直播 Innovation Accelerator, to turn cutting-edge technologies into businesses in Greater 91直播 鈥� in order to boost the region鈥檚 economy and improve residents鈥� health.
As part of the government鈥檚 Innovation Accelerator Fund, the four projects focus on the very latest technology around genomics, medical diagnostics, advanced materials and artificial intelligence. The bids were coordinated by the Greater 91直播 Combined Authority and funding is for two years.
The funding, awarded by the (DSIT), has been allocated to innovative projects in sectors where Greater 91直播 has existing research strengths,
Greater 91直播鈥檚 selection as one of three Innovation Accelerator regions demonstrates the Government鈥檚 confidence in our innovation ecosystem. The projects being backed are undertaking world-leading research to address some of the biggest challenges we face. They also align with the sectors where Greater 91直播 has emerging or established strengths, like advanced materials, artificial intelligence (AI) and diagnostics. We look forward to working with partners to ensure this funding supports the growth of our future industries and delivers greater prosperity for our people.
The projects are:
The 91直播 Turing Innovation Hub, is led by the University of Manchester, working with a consortium of business, academic and public sector organisations. The project aims to accelerate Greater 91直播鈥檚 拢5bn digital economy by supporting existing start-ups and creating new ones 鈥� especially in the field of artificial intelligence. It will also help to develop skills in the region with a particular focus on women, and under-represented groups in the industry. The Hub will bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and business, and will have centres across the region from which to coordinate activity. With no city having a global lead in AI commercialisation, the project aims to position Greater 91直播 at the forefront, which would have a transformative effect on the regional economy and jobs.
Residents in eight out of the ten local authorities in GM spend more of their life in poor health, and instances of smoking and obesity and associated health issues are more prevalent than the national average. The Greater 91直播 Advanced Diagnostics Accelerator aims to address this. It is led by Health Innovation 91直播, hosted by 91直播 University NHS Foundation Trust and partnered with the University. Focussing on liver, heart and lung disease, programme outputs are designed to open market opportunities for local businesses and support NHS cultural change from reactive acute care to proactive community prevention, resulting in better health outcomes and reduced demand for hospital services.
The Development and Validation of Technology for Time Critical Genomic Testing (DEVOTE) programme will be led by The University of Manchester. It focuses on biomarkers, which are chemicals or signals in the body which can be used to diagnose disease or predict future health. At the moment there is a bottleneck between the discovery of new biomarkers, and their use as a tool to help patients. DEVOTE aims to change all that by developing raid tests which can be used at the bedside by clinicians. This will be done through a partnership between the University, Health Innovation 91直播 and local businesses. Greater 91直播 is already a leader in this field and the new funding will create a legacy not only in people鈥檚 health but in a culture which makes new advances in future years.
The Sustainable Materials Translational Research Centre is a partnership between the University of Manchester, including the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre and the Henry Royce Institute, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and Rochdale Development Agency. Sustainable materials are urgently needed to help reach global climate goals but there is a lack of capacity to produce these, and to scale up production of new products which use them. Greater 91直播 is well positioned to solve this problem, with a rich history of developing materials (notably at The University of Manchester). The project will help connect local businesses to the national supply chain, and to the outstanding materials research in the city, it will support the creation of new businesses, and attract inward investment, with a particular focus on the Atom Valley Mayoral Development zone, bringing new jobs and opportunities to Rochdale, Bury, Oldham and beyond.
Professor Richard Jones, Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement at The University of Manchester said: 鈥淭he Innovation Accelerator is about taking the great research in GM鈥檚 universities, and translating that into good jobs, inclusive economic growth, and better health outcomes for citizens across the whole of Greater 91直播.
鈥淭hese four projects highlight the University of Manchester鈥檚 research strengths in advanced materials, in digital technologies, and in health sciences, and demonstrate our commitment to working together with business, the NHS, the other GM universities and FE colleges, and local government in the city region for the benefit of the people who live here.
鈥淲e are very much looking forward to working with our partners on these projects, and we welcome the funding to all of the other projects in Greater 91直播 that has been announced.鈥�
Mayor of Greater 91直播, Andy Burnham, said: 鈥淕reater 91直播鈥檚 selection as one of three Innovation Accelerator regions demonstrates the Government鈥檚 confidence in our innovation ecosystem. The projects being backed are undertaking world-leading research to address some of the biggest challenges we face.
鈥淭hey also align with the sectors where Greater 91直播 has emerging or established strengths, like advanced materials, artificial intelligence (AI) and diagnostics. We look forward to working with partners to ensure this funding supports the growth of our future industries and delivers greater prosperity for our people.鈥�
Minister of State for Science Research & Innovation at DSIT George Freeman said:
鈥淭hrough Record investment in our UK science, technology & innovation sectors, the Innovation Economy is creating new career opportunities in the campuses, clusters & companies of tomorrow.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why UKRI is putting clusters at the heart of its of its 拢25bn budget up to 2025, and why our 拢100m Innovation Accelerator Program provides 拢33m each to 3 emerging clusters to attract industrial co-investment and become major, globally competitive centres for research and innovation.
鈥淭he Greater 91直播 Cluster is becoming a world class hub of R+D in AI and advanced computing, advanced manufacturing and Net Zero Cleantech and associated technologies.
鈥淚鈥檓 delighted that local leaders have come together to use our 拢33m to launch such exciting programs with industry and Universities in this exciting area.鈥�