UCL Cytiva Centre of Excellence (COE)

The UCL-Cytiva Centre of Excellence strategic industrial research programme which started in 2017 is due to run to 2029.

The Centre is worth over £7m, with additional support of £1.6m from the EPSRC Prosperity Partnership, to extend activities to Smart Biomanufacturing for Genomic Medicines. 

The COE is dedicated to advancing biomanufacturing through innovative research and cutting-edge technologies. Key areas of focus include:

• Multiscale Imaging: Developing cutting-edge techniques for detailed material visualisation.
• Advanced Filtration: Enhancing bioprocessing with direct flow and tangential flow filtration technologies.
• Genomic Medicine: Pioneering new manufacturing methods for genome editing and advanced therapeutics.
• Process Monitoring: Implementing real-time systems to improve efficiency and maintain consistency in biomanufacturing.
• Cell-Free Synthesis: Innovating cell-free technologies for DNA and RNA synthesis.
• Lipid Nanoparticles: Creating advanced drug delivery systems using lipid nanoparticle formulations.

The research centre was setup to foster innovation, facilitate knowledge transfer, and address critical bioprocessing industrial challenges. The CoE has already yielded significant outcomes for both partners, and the new CoE will continue in its mission in bringing together leading key experts from both organizations. The new activity in "Smart Biomanufacturing for Genomic Medicines," aims to address the challenges of manufacturing revolutionary genomic medicines. These therapies hold the potential to transform medical treatments by delivering genetic molecules directly to disease sites, enabling precise control of protein production within cells and tissues. The partnership will improve patient access to these transformative therapies and establish manufacturing innovation in a high-growth sector that will result in societal and economic impact

Publications

• Optimising and developing a scalable, chemically-defined, serum-free lentiviral vector production process in a fixed-bed bioreactor
  Fiol, Carme Ripoll et al.
  Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development
• Two scale-down tools for the optimization of perfusion bioreactors for the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals
  Lucas, Ciara et al.
  Journal of Advanced Manufacturing and Processing
• Quasi-perfusion studies for intensified lentiviral vector production using a continuous stable producer cell line
  Stibbs, Dale J. et al.
  Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development
• Continuous manufacturing of lentiviral vectors using a stable producer cell line in a fixed-bed bioreactor
  Stibbs, Dale J. et al.
  Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development
• Adeno-Associated Virus 5 Protein Particles Produced by E. coli Cell-Free Protein Synthesis
  Danielle Deuker et al.
  ACS Synthetic Biology 
• Fabrication of electrospun ion exchanger adsorbents with morphologies designed for the separation of proteins and plasmid DNA
  Ovari, Gyorgy et al.
  Journal of Chromatography A
• Power, mixing and flow dynamics of the novel Allegro™ stirred tank reactor
  Author links open overlay panel
  Delbridge, J.N. et al.
  Chemical Engineering Science
• Suspension and flow dynamics of the Allegro™ stirred tank reactor
  Delbridge, J.N. et al.
  Chemical Engineering Research and Design
• X-ray computed tomography of packed bed chromatography columns for three dimensional imaging and analysis
  Johnson, T.F. et al.
  Journal of Chromatography A
• Three dimensional characterisation of chromatography bead internal structure using X-ray computed tomography and focused ion beam microscopy
  Johnson, T.F. et al.
  Journal of Chromatography A
• Using 3D Imaging To Understand Sterilizing-Grade Filtration of Liposomes
  Johnson, T.F. et al.
  Bioprocess International
• Packed bed compression visualisation and flow simulation using an erosion-dilation approach
  Johnson, T.F. et al.
  Journal of Chromatography A
• High-resolution imaging of depth filter structures using X-ray computed tomography
  Johnson, T.F. et al.
  Journal of Materials Science
• Liposome Sterile Filtration Characterization via X-ray Computed Tomography and Confocal Microscopy
  Johnson, T.F. et al.
  MDPI

Find out more

• UCL-Cytiva Centre of Excellence Annual Seminar- Hybrid event 20 February 2025 on LinkedIn
• UCL Cytiva Centre Of Excellence - People
• UCL and Cytiva Centre of Excellence awarded 7-year £4.24m agreement in Biochemical Engineering | UCL Department of Biochemical Engineering - UCL – University College London