Molecular imprinting involves making a binding pocket in a polymer which is chemically and shape specific for the target compound. These "smart plastics" offer robustness compared to biological molecular recognition elements such as antibodies and enzymes. They also have the ability to work in extreme environmental conditions. However, they can sometimes lack the necessary specificity/affinity. Aptamers are small pieces of DNA/RNA that have the ability to target proteins and small molecules and bind to them with high specificity and affinity. They are not toxic and are attractive alternatives to antibodies. They have been used primarily in research due to their susceptibility to enzymatic and chemical degradation, though this is slowly changing and they are becoming commercially relevant. The global aptamers market is projected to reach $2.4 billion by 2020, up from $1.1 billion in 2015. A 12-month proof-of-concept study, supported by the EPSRC and led by the PI (a molecular imprinting specialist), created novel hybrid materials made by incorporating aptamers into molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). In simple terms, the aptamer structure is modified to allow it to be directly incorporated into a polymer, so it will hold its shape while being protected from environmental conditions. Novel, high affinity and stable materials were created. These "aptaMIPs" demonstrated exceptional molecular recognition and offer significant improvements on both MIPs and aptamers in terms of stability, and specific target recognition, effectively maintaining the best properties of both classes of materials. This proposal seeks to explore the potential of aptaMIPs through a two year study into the core chemistry used to create these novel materials. We will build on the results of the pilot study and create useful, effective materials with high commercial potential. The research in this proposal will focus on: (i) Identifying the right linker chemistry; (ii) Developing polymerisable modifications for all four bases; (iii) Identifying how many linkers are needed; (iv) Identifying the best position for these linkers. An in-depth study on these four points will enable a full understanding of the key chemistry of how the aptamer incorporates itself into the polymer and, through this, allow us to understand what makes a good aptaMIP and why. Alongside these the synthetic strategies used will be analysed to ensure the creation of these hybrids is simple and effective. Two targets have been selected to study these chemistries. These differ in size and application: a protein and a bioactive drug, but both targets have significant commercial potential. Through these model systems we aim to demonstrate the validity and potential of aptaMIP materials. Alongside the PI, two project partners form the research team: The Watts group were collaborators on the pilot study and are based at the University of Massachusetts RNA Therapeutics Institute (a world leading school in novel aptamer synthesis). They will support the proposal through access to state-of-the-art synthesis equipment, combined with know-how in oligomer synthesis and application. Aptamer Group are a commercial aptamer development company based in York. Their expertise will benefit the project by providing the known oligomer sequences which will act as the basis for our studies and access to specialised instrumentation. The impact of the project will be supported by their detailed knowledge of the aptamer field and commercial outlook. The experience of the whole team will allow this interdisciplinary proposal, covering the fields of polymer, nucleic acid, protein and analytical chemistries to succeed. We will take aptaMIPs from the existing proof-of-concept stage and develop them, and their synthetic process, into viable competitors in artificial molecular recognition, ready for application in systems where their functionality can be exploited.

We will train a cohort of 65 PhD students to tackle the challenge of Data Creativity for the 21st century digital economy. In partnership with over 40 industry and academic partners, our students will establish the technologies and methods to enable producers and consumers to co-create smarter products in smarter ways and so establish trust in the use of personal data. Data is widely recognised by industry as being the 'fuel' that powers the economy. However, the highly personal nature of much data has raised concerns about privacy and ownership that threaten to undermine consumers' trust. Unlocking the economic potential of personal data while tackling societal concerns demands a new approach that balances the ability to innovate new products with building trust and ensuring compliance with a complex regulatory framework. This requires PhD students with a deep appreciation of the capabilities of emerging technology, the ability to innovate new products, but also an understanding of how this can be done in a responsible way. Our approach to this challenge is one of Data Creativity - enabling people to take control of their data and exercise greater agency by becoming creative consumers who actively co-create more trusted products. Driven by the needs of industry, public sector and third sector partners who have so far committed £1.6M of direct and £2.8M of in kind funding, we will explore multiple sectors including Fast Moving Consumer Goods and Food; Creative Industries; Health and Wellbeing; Personal Finance; and Smart Mobility and how it can unlock synergies between these. Our partners also represent interests in enabling technologies and the cross cutting concerns of privacy and security. Each student will work with industry, public, third sector or international partners to ensure that their research is grounded in real user needs, maximising its impact while also enhancing their future employability. External partners will be involved in PhD co-design, supervision, training, providing resources, hosting placements, setting industry-led challenge projects and steering. Addressing the challenges of Data Creativity demands a multi-disciplinary approach that combines expertise in technology development and human-centred methods with domain expertise across key sectors of the economy. Our students will be situated within Horizon, a leading centre for Digital Economy research and a vibrant environment that draws together a national research Hub, CDT and a network of over 100 industry, academic and international partners. We currently provide access to a network of >80 potential supervisors, ranging from leading Professors to talented early career researchers. This extends to academic partners at other Universities who will be involved in co-hosting and supervising our students, including the Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility at De Montfort University. We run an integrated four-year training programme that features: a bespoke core covering key topics in Future Products, Enabling Technologies, Innovation and Responsibility; optional advanced specialist modules; internship and international exchanges; industry-led challenge projects; training in research methods and professional skills; modules dedicated to the PhD proposal, planning and write up; and many opportunities for cross-cohort collaboration including our annual industry conference, retreat and summer schools. Our Impact Fund supports students in deepening the impact of their research. Horizon has EDI considerations embedded throughout, from consideration of equal opportunities in recruitment to ensuring that we deliver an inclusive environment which supports diversity of needs and backgrounds in the student experience.

Advances in fit for use manufacturing of biopharmaceutical drug delivery and pharmaceutical systems are now required to fit Quality by Design (QbD) models. These current regulations require excellence to be built into the preparation of emerging products (both material and process) thereby leading to product robustness and quality. In addition, industrial needs (economical and reproducible quality enhancement) are driving manufacturing towards continuous processes over batch type processes which also rely on QbD (for integrity and quality). EHDA technology is a robust process that has been utilised in various formats (e.g. electrospinning, electrospraying, bubbling and even 3D printing) and is favourable due to applicability with the development of stable nanomedicines and biopharmaceuticals, the emergence of this technology is clearly evident in the UK and on the global scale. Attempts in scaling up (for suitable pharmaceutical scale) and in tandem with continuous processes (including controlled manufacturing) have been very limited. There also, now, remains a huge void in the adaptation of sensible QbD (multi-variate) for the current methods developed and also those required by industry. While lab scale research continues with the ongoing development of such processes (e.g. nanomedicines, smart and controlled delivery), the transition to industry or the clinic will have to meet these regulations (and scales) for there to be a real impact, which is now, also, an important aspect of grass root research in the UK. The EHDA network brings together specialists from academia and industry to advance this technology through several means. Firstly, initiating developments towards a real-viable scale for Pharmaceutical production. Secondly, to incorporate developments in lean manufacturing and legislation (e.g. continuous manufacturing, online diagnostics, QbD and adaptable scale). Thirdly, to marry optimised lean technologies with novel and emerging macromolecular therapies and actives. The network has a wide range of activities and initiatives which will lead to significant developments (and collaborations) in an area of increasing global interest (EHDA processes) - but currently only on a viable lab scale to date. This network will be the first of its kind and will serve as the central and pioneering hub in this remit.

Our research investigates how Chinese contemporary art has increasingly become a popular method to help rejuvenate China's nation brand. With the country growing in influence, its newly-gained reputation as a superpower is also being reinforced through the strategic promotion of its culture and arts. Our research aims to trace the growing power, cachet and cultural capital of Chinese contemporary art as a key element in transforming the foreign public's perception of a country that is eager to orchestrate its international image. We seek to analyse how two spheres of activities - Chinese contemporary art and government nation branding efforts - are now entwined, and with what effects for the curatorial and artistic development in China and beyond, in view of our globalised art world. Our research is born out of an urgent critical inquisitiveness to document China's global rise and its impact on world cultures. We place our research questions at the intersection of multiple concerns: artistic trends, Chinese nationalism, cultural values, (macro)marketing and global politics. We also cross multiple boundaries, be they academic disciplines (international relations and visual arts) or distinct industries (nation branding, creative arts and museums), to boost knowledge. Our starting point is the idea of nation branding and China. The concept of nation branding has been widely discussed in the past few years in fields such as marketing, international relations and communications studies. It has almost become a catch-all term, incorporating related themes such as country of origin effect, made-in country image, cultural stereotype and place branding. Our examination of the topic, however, is inspired by both theoretical and practiced-based thinking from the humanities. We approach the concept by going beyond its framework of selling a nation and maximising nation brand recognition for potential consumers and tourists, but by focusing on the promotion of national ideals, identities and values, especially on the cultural horizon. We analyse this topic from a globalised visual arts point of view by examining works by Chinese artists exhibited at home and abroad. We argue that a solid understanding of China's global reputation and national brand image must be anchored to the ways in which key visual practices are being used to advertise the country. Our research will address questions such as: How is the growing field of Chinese contemporary arts creating a new style and tone for the nation brand? How are artists creating new possibilities for China to represent itself at global events? How does the political usage of Chinese contemporary art reveal the dilemmas and politics of art diplomacy? More importantly, how does this combination of art, nationalism and state oversight affect China's latest aspirations to excel in creativity and originality in many different fields? We aim, therefore, to gain a critical understanding of the multi-layered tensions at stake: the freedom of creative imagination enjoyed by artists, institutional values and rationalities embraced by curators, the material and political gains required of nation branding, and finally, Chinese government control. Our objective is to survey this precarious terrain and highlight the political, aesthetic and ethical tensions. We seek to produce pivotal and essential knowledge so stakeholders, such as curators, artists and cultural industry professionals, can have a timely road map to help guide them through this maze.

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.