Diagnostics Retreat
| Date | 31st January-1st February 2012 |
|---|---|
| Time | 10.00 on 31st Jan - 16.30 on 1st Feb |
| Location | Two Bridges Hotel, Dartmoor |
This two-day residential retreat brought together researchers and clinicians interested in Diagnostics from different disciplines, many of whom had not previously met each other, for an interactive workshop to discuss new research proposals and develop new collaborations.
The Translational Medicine Science Strategy Theme identified Diagnostics as an area of increasing interest, where more collaboration is needed between physicists, bioscientists and engineers, who are developing new diagnostic tools, and medical researchers and clinicians interested in their application.
The remote location (with limited mobile phone reception!) allowed participants time away from the usual disctractions to find out about each other's work, to discuss ideas and to work in groups to develop innovative project ideas.
The academic lead for the event (Professor Willie Hamilton from the Medical School) and facilitator (Dee Cooper from Eclipse) guided the 23 participants through a series of activities, including a 'speed dating' session!
At the end of the two days, six project ideas were pitched to the 'dragons' den'. After questioning from the 'dragons' (Professor Stuart Logan, Professor Peter Ashwin, Professor Rick Titball and Professor Willie Hamilton), the £10k of development funds were allocated to the following two projects:
| Title | Lead Investigator | Amount awarded |
|---|---|---|
| The Challenge: Immediate pathological confirmation during an endoscopic procedure | Julian Moger | £3,000 |
| Identification of novel biomarkers for bladder cancer | Steve Michell | £7,500 |
Each group had two weeks following the Retreat to work up their ideas for final approval by the Panel.
There was a strong feeling amongst the participants that a network of those interested in Diagnostics is needed to build on the collaborations formed at the Retreat and to involve those who were unable to attend. The nature of this ongoing collaboration will be determined by the results of a Delphi Study funded by Bridging the Gaps, being carried out during Spring/Summer 2012 and led by a Working Group comprising Willie Hamilton (Medical School), John McGrath (Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital), Fiona Carter (Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust), Peter Winlove (Physics), Steve Michell (Biosciences) and Helen Butler (Bridging the Gaps).
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