Accelerating innovation with ambitious companies

Author: Professor Richard Luxton, Director of the Institute of Biosensing Technology (IBST)

I'm Professor Richard Luxton. Back in 2008, with my colleague Professor Janice Kiely, we set up the Institute of Biosensing Technology, IBST, for short.

The IBST is the first of its kind in the UK. Here, industry and academia are working together to develop novel biosensing technologies for the healthcare, agriculture and food technology sectors.

We're also applying biological principles to develop novel sensors for environmental, security and engineering applications.

"Research is a passion of mine. Look at the work we’ve done developing magnetic detection technology – for home use, doctors’ surgeries and point-of-care settings. I love working with ambitious companies to accelerate their innovation and bring real change to people."

Professor Richard Luxton, Director of the Institute of Biosensing Technology (IBST)

Professor Richard Luxton Director of the Institute of Biosensing Technology (IBST)

From prototype to point-of-care

In our labs, we design complex biological tests and incorporate those tests into prototype devices using microfluidics and bespoke electronics. We’re a high-tech one-stop shop, if you like, supporting start-up and scale-up companies to develop innovation and tech by working collaboratively with them on all aspects of a product simultaneously.

Personally speaking, I’ve moved from clinical research in the NHS to developing technology here at the University. I have two passions. One’s research. For example, the work we’ve done developing magnetic detection technology – for home use, doctors’ surgeries and point-of-care settings. I also love the interdisciplinary nature of what we do, working with ambitious companies to accelerate their innovation.

A community charged

We’ve got a really dynamic environment here. A fantastically dynamic community. We have electronic engineers, software engineers, microbiologists and biochemists. We’re able to pair the right people with the right companies to develop a particular technology that will change lives for the better.

That’s what it’s all about. Creating real-world applications that will positively impact real lives. Getting to the right solution. Getting the product to market. We’re developing technology to support medics or patients in their homes.

One project we’re working on is to develop a propofol sensor to look at non-gaseous anaesthesia and how well people are sedated in intensive care. We have another project where we’re working with a company whose vision is to 3D-print a heart, so that we can better understand and measure the triggering of heart transplant rejection systems.

Far-reaching impact

For me, the most exciting thing is the fact that our work, the work we do with companies, has a direct impact on the real world. It can help people to stay out of hospital and in their own homes. That has a huge impact – not just on individuals but on our NHS and our economy. And as well as helping our students to learn and grow, we’re helping companies to accelerate, evolve and expand too. We have the best of all worlds here at IBST. 