MRC CiC call currently closed, expected to run in April 2021
The MRC Confidence in Concept (CiC) scheme is a translational research award aimed at accelerating the transition from discovery science to the early stage of translational science by supporting preliminary work or feasibility studies to establish the viability of an approach. Its remit includes novel therapeutics, devices and diagnostics, and drug ‘repurposing’ towards clinical testing. With this 'pump-priming' award, applicants should aim at gathering sufficient preliminary data in view of applying more substantive funding in the field of Translational Research.
This is an institutional award, the OTR applies to the MRC on behalf of the University of Cambridge, in conjunction with the institutional Wellcome Trust Developing Concept Fund administered by CATS.
- Clear line of sight to benefiting patients or the healthcare system
- Sufficient supporting data for the concept of the proposed solution
- Close to being tested in humans or in healthcare set-ups.
In addition the proposed funding should be used to support the gathering of data that will lead to follow-on, larger-scale translational funding and/or an industrial collaborative project, spin-out or even direct implementation into clinic. The MRC is also keen to support projects with co-funding and /or potential IP that might be licensed.
Panel
Awards
2020
Princiapl Investigators (PIs) and their Projects
| Weeks, Michael | Cell surface biomarkers to predict outcome of COVID-19 upon hospital admission |
| Cameron, Ruth | Membranes and the reduction of clinical adhesions |
| Duce, James | Targeting cell death by ferroptosis in Parkinson's disease |
| Gurnell, Mark | Enabling wider application of molecular imaging of pituitary adenomas through a fluorine-18 radiotracer |
| Campbell Smith, Gordon | A quantitative serum metabolite ratio to predict fetal growth abnormalities |
| Summers, David | Development of drugs to combat bacterial biofilms and antibiotic persisters |
Past awards
2019
Principal Investigators (PIs) and their projects
|
Baumberg, Jeremy |
A system for rapid urine testing for improved delivery of antibiotics: a feasibility study |
|
Brenton, James |
Therapeutic targeting of chromosomal instability in cancer |
|
Ford, |
Enhancement of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) of an online platform using Computerised Adaptive. Testing technology to enable early assessment of mental health difficulties in secondary school students |
|
Henson, Frances |
PODS-BMP7- as an ostearthitis treatment- a large animal proof of concept study |
|
Malliaras, George |
Minimally invasive Spinal Cord Stimulator (MI-SCS): validation experiments in human spine cadaveric model |
|
Rowitch, David |
Development of a novel hearing computer application and modified headphone system for the DigiScreener sensory screening platform |
2018
PIs and their projects
| Beardsall, Kathryn | NeWTS: Neonatal Wireless Transmission System |
| Boyle, Louise | A novel approach to increasing tumour immunogenicity |
| Burton, Graham | Detection of placental dysfunction using changes in glycosylation of secreted proteins as a novel diagnostic marker |
| Hutchinson, Peter | Development of in-vivo voxel-based 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a clinical diagnostic tool in brain injury patients |
| Ladds, Graham | Utilising the ‘first-in-class’ small molecule positive allosteric modulators of the human GIPR to aid glycaemic control in type II diabetic patients |
| Mallucci, Giovanna | Developing the repurposed neuroprotective drug trazodone for clinical trials |
| Moggridge, Geoff | Development of a novel polymeric trans-catheter aortic valve to improve durability in high-risk patients: proof of concept study |
| Pettigrew, Gavin | Developing a novel image analysis software to assess pre-implantation kidney biopsies |
| Soilleux, Elizabeth | Technical validation of a patented artificial intelligence solution for the diagnosis of coeliac disease/ gluten sensitivity |
2017
PIs and their projects
| Aigbirhio, Franklin | Development of a novel inflammation PET marker with low binding affinity variation towards the human translocator protein |
| Bance, Manohar | Mapping and modifying spread of electrical stimulation inside the cochlea following cochlear implantation |
| Bujdoso, Raymond | Detection of CJD prion infectivity in blood and urine by bioassay in PrP transgenic Drosophila |
| Chan, Dennis |
Memory App for community-based detection of early Alzheimer’s Disease (MAPP-AD) |
| Cowburn, Russel | ADNEX-GBM |
| Flewitt, Andrew | Synchronous measurement of PSA isoforms to improve early prostate cancer detection using novel low-cost acoustic sensors |
| Laurenti, Elisa |
Improving gene therapy protocol efficacy by modulating haematopoietic stem cell exit from quiescence |
| Mutreja, Ankur |
Simple, Sensitive and High-resolution SNP based diagnostic kits for Cholera, Shigella and Typhoid |
| Nejentsev, Sergey | Novel host-directed therapy in tuberculosis |
| Saeb-Parsy, Kourosh | Design and build of a scaled-up device to process and obtain large quantity of lymphocytes from the spleen of a single donor |
2016
PIs and their projects
| Allen, Louise | “Digi-Vis”: an all-in-one digital visual function assessment system |
| Bryant , Clare | Antagonism of TLR4 as a novel therapy for viral exacerbation of asthma |
| Fawcett, James | Repurposing 4-methylumbelliferone for spinal cord injury |
| Hyvonen, Marko | Inhibiting PH domain-mediated activation of Btk in haematological cancers |
| Jena, Rajesh | AGORA-RT: Advanced Glioma Oncosimulator for Risk Adaptive Radiation Therapy |
| Jones, Joanne | CCR5 blockade – a novel therapeutic strategy in Multiple Sclerosis |
| Moggridge, Geoff | Development of a Transcatheter Mitral Repair System for patients with Mitral Regurgitation |
| Thora Karadottir, Ragnhildur | Repurposing glutamate AMPA receptor modulators for enhancing myelin regeneration in Multiple Sclerosis |
| Zeviani, Massimo | An experimental medicine study to study the effects of nicotinamide riboside on mitochondrial biogenesis in patients with mitochondrial myopathy |
2015
PIs and their projects
| Bennet, Martin | Predicting plaque rupture using invasive imaging and biomechanical modelling |
| Caldas, Carlos | Targeted delivery of CO using artificial metalloproteins: CO’s immunomodulatory properties for cancer therapy |
| Davenport, Anthony and Glen, Robert | Identification of 'hit to lead' small molecule biased apelin receptor agonists from a potent lead series and a high throughput screen for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension |
| Elliot, Stephen and Hutchinson, Peter | Development of microdialysis online-sensor technology for use in the neurocritical care of patients with acute brain injury |
| Ghevaert, Cedric | Assessing the efficacy of clinical grade banked human pluripotent stem cells for the in vitro production of platelets for transfusion |
| Howe, Christopher | Inhibition of RNA processing in the Plasmodium apicoplast |
| Lever, Andrew | RNA trans-splicing for eradication of cells containing replicating and latent HIV |
| Moggridge, Geoff | Development of a Removable Transcatheter Valve as an Alternative to Surgical Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis |
| Sinclair, John | Analysis of the latent load of human cytomegalovirus in patients undergoing treatment with HDACi inhibitors |
2014
PIs and their projects
| Bohndiek, Sarah | A video-rate near-infrared hyperspectral endoscope for early detection of oesophageal cancer |
| Cameron, Ruth | A novel concept for the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms – endovascular re-lining |
| Cox, Tim | A validated targe to rescue therapeutic delivery of lysisimal enzymes |
| Itzhaki, Laura | Development of stapled-peptide and small-molecule inhibitors targeting the substrate-recognition domain of tankyrase |
| Lever, Andrew | Validation of genomic RNA packaging as a therapeutic target for HIV/AIDS |
| Luisi, Ben | Finding effective inhibitors of bacterial tripartite multidrug efflux pumps |
| Mott, Helen | Maturation and characterization of stapled peptides for Ras-RalGEF-RalA/B inhibition |
| Slater, Nigel | Improving cryopreservation of human haematopoietic stem cells and pancreatic islets |
| Venkitaraman, Ashok | Identification of novel clinical settings for BRCA2-RAD51 inhibitors using a functional genomic screen for synthetic lethality |
2013
PIs and their projects
| Aigbirhio, Franklin | Simple Modular Systems for the Preparations of PET Imaging Probes |
| Davenport, Anthony | Design and in vitro characterisation of novel ‘biased’ agonists for preclinical validation of the apelin receptor as a drug target for pulmonary arterial hypertension |
| Glen, Robert | New approach to the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): Novel antagonists of the human (h)5-HT1B Receptor |
| Neal, David | Development of a novel niche-specific Androgen Receptor (AR) antagonist for prostate cancer treatment |
2012
PIs and their projects
| Cox, Tim | A discovery platform for approval drugs to rescue therapeutic delivery of lysosomal enzymes in clinical application |
| Fearon, Douglas | Reversing immune suppression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with AMD3100/Plerixafor and antibody to PD-L1 |
| Franklin, Lyons | New transcriptome-based biomarkers for autoimmune disease |
| Franklin, Robin | Identification of NCE Retinoid X Receptor gamma modulators as a regenerative therapy for Multiple Sclerosis |
| Hovorka, Roman | Closed-loop insulin delivery in the general ward - Towards achieving optimal glucose control in hospitalised patients with type 2 diabetes |
| McNaughton, Peter | A new approach to analgesia: novel antagonists of the sensitization of TRPV1 through interaction with AKAP79 |
| Rubinsztein, David | Screen for novel autophagy-modulatory kinase inhibitors |