Research at the Royal will explore new infection tackling tech

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An innovative study has been launched at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital to explore how a new antimicrobial coating can protect the NHS by reducing healthcare associated infections (HAIs).  

HAIs are a risk to patients, visitors and staff, and cover a range of different infections including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile). HAIs result in significant costs to the NHS and increased illness and time in hospital for patients.  

 An estimated 3.5% of those that acquire a HAI die from the infection, according to research published by the British Medical Journal. Infection prevention and control is vital to limiting spread of HAIs and the related problem of antimicrobial resistance. 

 The bacteria, fungi and viruses (microbes) that cause these infections can be transmitted by contact with a contaminated surface. Manual cleaning of surfaces is performed regularly but between cleaning contamination can occur. In addition, the use of environmentally damaging chemicals and how these can be safely reduced is an important consideration for the NHS. 

To lower the risk of HAI by touching contaminated surfaces, a new type of antimicrobial film coating has been developed by the expert vacuum coating solutions specialist Gencoa. The Merseyside-based manufacturer’s coating can be used on a wide variety of healthcare surfaces with the aim of quickly eliminating environmental contamination between cleaning.  

To date, Gencoa’s film technology has been used on surfaces in busy public areas, for example on train station touchscreens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gencoa is now looking to explore applications in healthcare settings.  

 The initial stage of assessing the product’s viability for hospitals was undertaken in partnership with the Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON). Established in 2020, iiCON is a world leading centre for infection innovation and R&D based at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, which works in partnership with Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT). 

As part of iiCON’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) SME support programme, a fully funded study was conducted to verify the potential effectiveness of Gencoa’s antimicrobial coating. The research particularly focused on pathogens for which new antibiotic treatments are required.  

 The results proved that this solution could in principle be applied to a hospital setting and the data was a key part of Gencoa receiving additional funding for a larger study alongside LUHFT, which runs the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.  

Innovate UK awarded a £584,066 funding grant as part of its BioMedical Catalyst Award to a partnership between Gencoa, LSTM and LUHFT to optimise their coating for use in healthcare environments and look for real world data on efficacy and safety in a clinical environment.   

Antimicrobial coatings will be installed within clinical environments including touchscreens and door handles in the new state of the art Royal Liverpool University Hospital, which was opened in October 2022.   

To create the coatings, the Midlands based Diamond Coatings Ltd. will transfer the new technology to production and develop a high-volume roll-to-roll capability for coating adhesive pads in order to protect screens and other surfaces. 

The coatings will be in place for up to 12 months and will be assessed for how they perform under standard NHS Infection Prevention and Control guidance for cleaning. Systematic environmental testing will be performed of coated and uncoated surfaces to look for differences in contamination. Parallel to this, testing will be conducted in a mock ward environment at LSTM to investigate whether changes to clinical cleaning pathways could be safely considered. at

Dermot Monaghan, Managing Director of Gencoa Ltd, said: 

“The project utilises a ‘solid state’ coating applied to a surface by vacuum deposition in order to reduce contagion by rapidly killing microbes present. The coating is highly robust and provides a continuous self-sanitising effect for touch screens and other parts in highly trafficked areas.  

“The academic and grant support combined with the material technology capabilities of industrial partners has been vital to advancing Gencoa’s innovation into the healthcare sector.” 

Dr Adam Roberts of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine led the research at iiCON, he said:

“The ERDF funded study that we conducted within iiCON meant that Gencoa could access our advanced research facilities and the skills of a world-leading team that specialises in infectious diseases in order to prove the antibacterial performance of its new film coating. This was significant, as it helped achieve further funding from Innovate UK and a partnership with LUFHT which will move the research onto the next stage and take the results from our laboratoriesinto the real world. 

“This project has shown that creating links between healthcare, academia and SMEs is a great way to rapidly progress new technologies and it’s a route that we hope to adopt with other businesses to simultaneously help them into the healthcare market while getting much-needed innovations into the NHS as quickly as possible.” 

Dr Stacy Todd, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is the NHS research lead for the project. She said:

“This is a great example of NHS, University and Industry partners working together to develop products which have the real potential for patient benefit. The twin problems of healthcare associated infections and antimicrobial resistance means that we need to think broadly about what interventions can benefit patients, visitors and staff in making healthcare safer. By doing this we can keep offering patients cutting edge treatments, including those for cancer therapy and surgery.” 

Professor Terry Jones, Director for Research and Innovation at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

“Finding new ways to combat HAIs and to reduce the threat from antibacterial resistant microbes is of vital importance. This multi-disciplinary, multi-partner study is also testament to the thriving collaborative approach to research and innovation in Liverpool City Region, bringing together clinical, industrial and academic experts. Undertaking this study in such a new healthcare facility provides a rare opportunity to analyse innovative technology in a real-world, state-of-the-art environment.” 

Jason Eite, Managing Director of Diamond Coatings Ltd., said:

“We look forward to applying our vacuum coating technology and roll coating capability to help minimise the risks posed by HAIs. Combining our manufacturing expertise with the medical and microbiological expertise of the rest of the team has proven to be a highly productive and effective method of creating an innovative new solution for the healthcare sector.”

KQ Liverpool launches schools programme to inspire next generation of innovators

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KQ Liverpool has today launched its Sixth Form into Science schools programme.

The programme will see cohorts of local sixth form students from across Liverpool City Region spend the day in the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) Innovation District, giving them the opportunity to visit a number of the unique facilities and organisations located across the innovation district, which were previously inaccessible.

Delivered in partnership with some of the best institutions and cutting-edge businesses based in KQ Liverpool, the purpose of the programme is to showcase the diverse mix of careers on offer within the innovation sector and to create tangible aspirations for local talent. 

Students will visit the Digital Innovation Facility, Manufacturing Technology Centre, Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions and the Royal College of Physicians at The Spine, giving an insight into daily working life in an innovation district. 

Rachael Patterson, Policy and Marketing Manager at KQ Liverpool, said:

“We’re excited to be launching our school’s programme which we have worked closely with key KQ Liverpool stakeholders to create. We want our innovation district to be a playground for young people’s imagination and we will be opening previously unopened doors to make this happen.

“Being a Better Neighbour to our surrounding communities is a key part of KQ Liverpool’s 2025 Vision and this programme is just one initiative we are delivering to help ensure that opportunities within the innovation economy are opened up to all.”

KQ Liverpool is a rapidly changing part of Liverpool City Centre, propelled in particular by the exponential growth of its knowledge economy. As such, a number of world-leading businesses have been attracted to the innovation district, creating new and unique opportunities for young talent. 

Colin Sinclair, CEO of KQ Liverpool, said:

“In just a few years Paddington Village in KQ Liverpool has risen from the ground, with organisations such as the prestigious Royal College of Physicians and innovative digital bank Cashplus opening up their Northern Headquarters on the site. 

“As the innovation district continues to develop and evolve, it is crucial that local communities benefit from its growth and importantly local students are fully aware of the opportunities available to them right on their doorstep.”

Students will have the opportunity to hear from professionals in a live working environment with the chance to ask questions and gain a better understanding as to the many different routes that can lead to a career in the health and life sciences, tech, digital and creative sectors.

Ian Bullock, CEO at the Royal College of Physicians, said:

“The Spine was designed to be one of the world’s healthiest workspaces for mental and physical wellbeing in the UK and we hope that by welcoming students into our Liverpool home we will be able to inspire the future workforce and get local young people excited about the opportunities available to them.

“Showcasing roles across education, communications, project management, digital marketing, events and finance – to name but a few – we will be demonstrating the diversity of careers on offer at the Royal College of Physicians as part of the programme.”

The programme is initially being piloted with six local schools and colleges, with the pilot being used to gain feedback on the programme from students, teachers, career leads and partner organisations to help scale it up in the future.

If you’re interested in learning more about KQ Liverpool and the Sixth Form into Science schools programme get in touch by emailing: hello@kqliverpool.co.uk

Sciontec promises cycling revolution as Hemisphere gets the green light at Paddington Village

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Liverpool City Council has today approved the planning application for HEMISPHERE, a new 120,000 sq ft, eight-storey, standout innovative workspace development located on Paddington Village.

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LCR wins Government status for vaccine discovery, development and manufacturing

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The Department for International Trade and Growth Platform to showcase the Liverpool City Region’s life sciences expertise at this year’s World Vaccine Congress in Barcelona.

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Merseyside SMEs lead on life science innovation thanks to iiCON support

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A dedicated SME support programme managed by iiCON: infection innovation consortium, has successfully propelled some of Merseyside’s most innovative new life science businesses – stimulating R&D and economic growth in the region.

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US-Based Pierian Biosciences Opens Its First UK Laboratory In Liverpool

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Harrogate International Advisory has successfully welcomed its US client Pierian Biosciences into Liverpool with the opening of Pierian’s first laboratory in the United Kingdom, at Liverpool Science Park.

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Sciontec reveals plans for £2m investment in Sensor City

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Sciontec Developments Limited (Sciontec) has submitted a planning application for a new, eight-storey standout office development to be located on Paddington Village, in the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) Innovation District.

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Elida Beauty to set up Product Development Hub

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Elida Beauty, a Global Unilever Business Unit for Personal Care products, has signed a 10-year commitment for a space within Liverpool Science Park (LSP), which is owned and operated by Sciontec Developments Limited (Sciontec).  

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Winner of the Paddington Village School Design Challenge Announced

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Liverpool City Region student’s design impresses judges thanks to its diverse representation of technology and science.

Launched in late 2021, the Paddington Village School Design Challenge was conceived by KQ Liverpool, dot-art and USP Creative, to engage local secondary school pupils in the Paddington Village development and offer them the chance to be part of the site’s emerging heritage. 

Students were encouraged to get creative by drawing, painting or printing a sculpture design inspired by science and technology, two of the most prominent sectors within the world-leading Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) innovation district. 

Now, a panel of expert judges has named Peyton Boswell from Maghull High School as the winning designer, beating over 100 other students from across Liverpool City Region for the top spot.

Impressed by the variety of content and visual impact of her design, Peyton Boswell’s artwork features an array of dynamic chemistry, biology, space and computer science references.

Explaining the rationale behind her design choices, Peyton said: “I included scientific symbols to show that the Knowledge Quarter will be filled with new science technologies and I think that the bright colours show that it will be a fun and exciting place to work and visit.

“I included an image of the world to show that KQ Liverpool will be world class and I also included a rocket to show that we should all aim high, to reach for the stars!”

Peyton’s winning design will now feature on a new sculpture located at Paddington Village in KQ Liverpool and the student will be credited on a plaque as the designer of the monument. In addition, she will receive a bundle of art supplies and a trophy to acknowledge her achievement, with her school also receiving £500 to put towards art and creative supplies. 

The next phase of the Paddington Village School Design Challenge project will include the commissioning of local artist Brigitte Watkison to transfer the winning design onto the public sculpture.

Rachael Patterson, Competition Judge and Policy and Marketing Manager at KQ Liverpool said: “We were overwhelmed by the level of talent and creativity demonstrated by the young people in our City Region who took part in our competition. 

“There were a number of standout entries however, and we look forward to seeing the winning design transformed onto a sculpture and enjoyed as a piece of art for years to come”. 

In total, over 100 applications were received from Students aged between 11 to 16, who attend educational institutions across the Liverpool City Region, including Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College, Maghull High School, King David High School and Childwall Abbey School.

Five other students; Alexandra Thwaite, Carrie McKevitt, Isabella Orme, Jessica Williams and Toby White, have been named as Highly Commended runners-up, and will join Peyton Boswell at a special celebration to unveil the sculpture later this year.

Also attending the ceremony will be members of the competition’s judging panel, which included representatives from dot-art, KQ Liverpool, Sciontec, USP Creative and Councillor Barbara Murray, who scored entries based on their design skill, vision and interpretation of the brief.

Lucy Byrne, Competition Judge and Founder of dot-art said: “This design challenge is a great example of partnership working to inspire and champion the next generation of creatives. 

“As a social enterprise supporting local visual artists, we are also delighted to be able to offer an artist the opportunity to bring the design to life.”

Emily Cook, Policy and Research Officer at KQ Liverpool added: “With culture playing such a crucial role in the regeneration of Liverpool City Region, it is key that we continue to nurture our cultural offering across KQ Liverpool through KQ Culture initiatives like this. 

“When it comes to public realm and culture, Paddington Village is an exciting blank canvas and a real opportunity to think not only creatively but also sustainably and inclusively.”

Click on the images below to see the students’ entries.

Getting to know – Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village

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We recently caught up with Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village’s General Manager, Howard Lewis, to find out more about the stunning new hotel and what makes it so unique.

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