Research

Research project on cell enzyme

A researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences has been awarded almost £500,000 to study the enzyme that consumes oxygen in cells and how it drives brain signalling.

The £426,597 grant, awarded to Professor Chris Cooper by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, will fund a study on cytochrome c oxidase (CCO).

The enzyme CCO exists in a small structure, called mitochondrion, found within human cells. CCO consumes oxygen, converts it into water; in the process it generates a voltage across the mitochondrion which provides the energy to make the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecule. ATP is the universal energy currency which drives everything from muscle movement, to brain signalling and tissue repair. The aim of the project is to study how CCO is controlled in the body.

Professor Cooper explained: ‘The ultimate aim of this multi-disciplinary project is to develop a dynamic mathematical model that will demonstrate how CCO is controlled in the body. We will be focussing on the brain.’

‘An improved knowledge of CCO is likely to have significance for healthcare and industry, in particular for those manufacturing machines that measure parameters relating to oxygen and energetics in the body.’

The project will involve a combination of in vitro (test tube) experiments and mathematical modelling. Professor Cooper, a biophysicist, will work with a biochemist and mathematical physicist.

Researching rural deprivation

Researchers in the Centre for Environment and Society have been awarded funding from Tendring District Council to study rural deprivation in north east Essex and south Suffolk.

Rachel Hine and Sarah Pilgrim will conduct the study on behalf of the Haven Gateway Partnership Investing in Communities project which aims to improve economic performance, enhance employment opportunities and address social exclusion in deprived, rural communities.

The survey and analysis of rural deprivation will identify those groups that do not have the opportunities to develop skills and careers, progress financially or access education services.

Rachel explained: ‘In rural areas, communities do not always have facilities such as GP surgeries and primary schools on their doorstep as those living in urban areas. Our study will identify the demographics of the isolated areas to determine the economic activity of the population, and the potential economic activity of the population.

‘We will then be able to identify which rural areas are in greatest need of strategic interventions to allow people to achieve a similar level of opportunity as those living in towns and cities.’

Project findings will be published later in the year.

Computer Science links with UltraSoC

A company committed to creating a portfolio of licensable technology comprising software tools and hardware architectures for next-generation electronic systems has gone into partnership with the Department of Computer Science.

UltraSoC Technologies Ltd was founded in 2005 in response to the needs of embedded system developers and semiconductor manufacturers. As part of the new partnership, it has opened an office at the University in addition to its commercial offices in Cambridge and Canterbury.

UltraSoC develops technology for embedded systems such a microchips

Dr Klaus McDonald-Maier, a Reader in Computer Science, is founder of UltraSoc. He said: ‘There is great synergy in the work done within the Department and that required to develop UltraSoC’s ground-breaking technology platform.’

‘The UltraSoC technology supports the development of embedded systems that will reduce cost and increase safety. This capability offers significant commercial advantages will help solve the ‘embedded system challenge’ currently being faced in semiconductor sectors.’

The Company has already won several grants and awards towards the cost of building proof-of-concept demonstrators that will show-case their novel technology.

For further information see www.ultrasoc.com.

Also in the printed June edition of Wyvern:

• Reading your mind
• Award for society and environment book
• Essex centre plays key role in conference
• Royal audience for historian