DTI bankrolls UK research projects

Projects include state-of-the-art DNA databases

The Department of Trade and Industry has announced the 29 projects across the UK to benefit from a £25m fund aiming to find commercial applications for public sector research.

Projects include state-of-the-art DNA databases to fight global crime, oxygen-free sealed picture frames to preserve priceless works of art, and hi-tech tracking of shipping.

The projects, announced today by Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson, have been awarded the cash from the Public Sector Research Exploitation Fund.

The Forensic Science Service, which is developing a commercial DNA database package to allow police and governments to store, search and match forensic DNA profiles, was awarded £450,000 from the fund.

The Sea Mammal Research Unit at St Andrew's University was awarded £381,000 to develop monitoring devices to fit on marine animals such as seals to track shipping, buoys and sea platforms remotely.

A £421,655 award was made to the Tate Gallery to develop sealed picture frames that protect works of art from light damage.

The National Physical Laboratory in Teddington received £430,000 to develop emissions detection and monitoring systems to meet the needs of commercial markets in fields such as security, pharmaceuticals, landfill and nano-manufacturing.
"Without this vital financial support much of the cutting edge research taking place in public sector organisations might never make it out of the lab. The fund helps bright ideas bear fruit and become commercially viable products and services," said Johnson.

"It is essential for the UK economy and our world-leading position in science and innovation that we support the widest commercial development of scientific knowledge and services. This funding round builds on the £25m we have allocated in earlier rounds."

The Public Sector Research Exploitation Fund was set up in 2001 to help public sector organisations, including research council institutes, government laboratories, NHS trusts and major museums and galleries, to market their research.

Universities receive similar government funding through the Higher Education Innovation Fund.