The Organ-on-a-Chip Technologies Network and Emulate, Inc. are offering network members the opportunity to apply for a Proof of Concept Award to use a brand-new core facility at Queen Mary University of London: the QM+Emulate Organs-on-Chips Centre.

This initiative aims to help academics develop new research projects by providing organ-chips, access to the Emulate platform and support from the Centre scientist. Researchers can apply to use Emulate's platform technology, - The Human Emulation system - to generate preliminary data to support future grant applications and projects using the technology.

Centre director, Martin Knight says:

'The partnership with Emulate Inc and this new proof of concept funding provides a fantastic opportunity for members of the network to try out Emulate's state of the art, versatile organ chip platform supported by a dedicated centre scientist. We are delighted by the enthusiastic response from UK researchers and look forward to supporting exciting new research using the Queen Mary+Emulate Organs-on-chips Centre.'

The total initiative, generously supported by Emulate in association with the UK Organ-on-a-Chip Technologies Network, consists of approximately £100,000 of funding. This will be used to support 18 pump-priming projects, providing access to £120,000 of state-of-the-art organ-chip technology available at the QM+Emulate Organs-on-Chips Centre.

Emulate's platform has been adopted by 10 of the top 25 biopharmaceutical companies, by U.S. governmental agencies and by academic research centres worldwide. This award provides an exciting opportunity for Organ-on-a-Chip Technologies Network members to work with this technology – helping to advance knowledge in human and animal health.

Applications for Proof of Concept projects may develop new chip models or use Emulates current validated organ models which include: Liver, Proximal Tubule Kidney, Lung and Intestine.

Application deadlines: 15 September 2020/1 March 2021/1 September 2021/1 March 2022

Further award information and application forms available here.

The network is part of a major Research Councils UK (RCUK) venture called Technology Touching Life [1] involving joint research council funding, which aims to foster interdisciplinary research into innovative technology in the health and life sciences.

If you are interested to find out more about the network, please visit our website www.organonachip.org.uk

https://www.ukri.org/research/cross-organisational-themes-and-programmes/technology-touching-life/