Facilitating International Engagement
& Collaboration in Biofilms
UK-Singapore Partnership on Biofilms
The UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) works on behalf of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to identify and facilitate new research collaborations across the breadth of the UK’s research base. They supported NBIC’s interactions with Singapore researchers – NBIC visited Singapore in February 2018 to participate in a joint workshop with the Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), where complementary areas for strategic R&D collaboration were identified.
A Year On
In February 2019, SIN supported a second visit by NBIC which led to the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with SCELSE and the Singapore National Biofilm Centre (SNBC). The NBIC leadership team and three Industry Partners (Bioquell, Fourth State Medicine and Varicon Aqua) showcased the UK’s global leadership in biofilms and the investment offer in Health and Life Sciences by participating in a biofilms research and industry symposium at the UK-Singapore Investor Club, which SIN organised with the Department for International Trade (DIT).
Finally, NBIC took part in a launch ceremony – ‘When Microbes Mean Business’ – where NBIC signed two MOUs with SCELSE and SNBC, paving the way for a truly academic-industry partnership that will cement the UK and Singapore as global leaders in biofilms research and innovation. These agreements will facilitate joint R&D programmes, sharing of knowledge and expertise, researcher exchanges and trade between the UK and Singapore, strengthening our global position in biofilm research and innovation.
Developing a Global Network
NBIC signed a MOU with the Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE) at Montana State University (US) in October 2018, and are successfully continuing to work together to develop projects and exchanges. Further to this, NBIC have been awarded an International Workshop grant (£10k) to bring the two groups together later in 2019 to identify fundamental challenges in the field of micro-metal interactions.
In continuing to build relationships internationally, NBIC also signed a MOU with Stellenbosch University (South Africa). Going ahead, NBIC will establish collaborative projects and promote academic exchanges. NBIC also have long standing collaborations with the Costerton Biofilm Centre in Copenhagen. NBIC are currently working on formalising a program of research and student exchange.
Our International Partners
We’re developing relationships with key biofilm centres of excellence across the world.
Interested in Working with Us?
If you’re interested in working with us, please contact our CEO, Professor Jo Slater-Jefferies.
Professor Jo Slater-Jefferies
NBIC CEO
Jo joined NBIC in April 2018 and is also a Director and Trustee of the Asthma, Allergy and Inflammation Research (AAIR) charity. She started her scientific career as a Senior Scientist and Quality Manager at Sciona Ltd, a spin-out company combining lifestyle data and genetic analysis, and between 2011 and 2018 she held the position of General Manager for EpiGen, a global research consortium.
Jo holds a BSc Honours in Molecular Biology and an industrial sponsored PhD from the University of Portsmouth. In 2014, Jo received a MBA, and in 2017 became a Chartered Manager at the Chartered Management Institute.