LifeArc

The Shared Commitment to Public Involvement aims to raise the standards of health research through stronger and more meaningful engagement with patients and the public. As we join with other partners to mark the third anniversary of this pledge, we have taken the time to reflect on our continuing engagement work. From challenging assumptions to improving the rigour and relevance of research, we recognise the value that involving patients and the public in our work adds. That is why we worked with a patient advisory group to develop our Patient Engagement Framework - an internal resource that equips our teams with practical tools and templates for planning and executing involvement activities. Learn more about the development of this framework and our continued collaboration with patients and the public here: https://lnkd.in/ekkBAKM7

We can't believe it's already been a week since the LifeArc Translational Science Summit on MND and Rare Dementias. Since then, we've taken time to reflect on some of the key takeaways from the day's sessions. Here's a glimpse of what we learned: 🔹 It is critical to recognise, diagnose, and treat dementia as a heterogeneous condition. 🔹 Reducing time-to-diagnosis and developing less invasive diagnostic methods is a priority for both patients and researchers. 🔹 Improving the quality and accessibility of clinical trials is essential. 🔹 Enhancing communication between patients, researchers, and clinicians will accelerate progress. Uniting experts from multiple disciplines to share expertise, perspectives, and insights proved to be an invaluable opportunity for shared learning. As Dr Sam Barrell CBE, said: "We go further, and we move faster when we work together." Whether you attended or not, you can read our latest blog where we've compiled highlights and discussion points from the day: https://lnkd.in/eiVKqX8t Videos of the sessions will be available online soon. #RareNeuro #MND #RareDementias #Neurodegeneration

It's British Science Week - a chance to celebrate and promote the fascinating field we work in by sharing some of the things we love about it! We asked some of our scientists what excites them most about their work. From creating cutting-edge algorithms to help chemists select optimal molecules, to the simple pleasure of seeing their cells grow, our scientists are constantly inspired by the possibilities that the field provides. #BritishScienceWeek

Last week, our Senior Academic Engagement Partner and Fellowship Programme Director, Anji Miller Ph.D CLP RTTP, took our Technology Transfer and Knowledge Transfer Innovation Fellows to AUTM's Annual Meeting in Maryland—the largest gathering for technology transfer professionals. Attendance at this event and the training received there is a key part of the circulum of our fellowship programmes as it provides fellows with an amazing opportunity to accelerate their careers through: 🔹2 formal in-person training sessions on either technology marketing or technology valuation, as well as a half-day negotiation course. 🔹 The opportunity to meet their expert mentors during a dedicated session and mingle during a celebratory dinner. 🔹 Unmatched networking with other technology transfer professionals. 🔹 The chance to enhance and practice technical and transferable skills. Our 2 fellowship programmes are currently open and accepting applications. These fellowships equip life scientists with the skills and network to launch a career in technology transfer. Our programmes have already trained 100+ professionals, many of whom now work in innovation roles across sectors. If you're a life scientist looking to transition into technology transfer, this could be the perfect opportunity for you! Find out more about and apply: https://lnkd.in/ei2yW69U #AUTM2025 #KnowledgeTransfer

Happy International Women's Day! This year's theme, #AccelerateAction, emphasises the need for swift and decisive steps toward gender equality. We are committed to gender equality and are proud of all our amazing female colleagues. We asked some of our female leaders to share their advice for those entering life sciences or aiming for leadership. Here are their top tips! 🔹 Sam Barrell, CEO First, discover what it is you truly love - your passion. Then, research organisations and talk to people in different roles to get a real feel for what they do and what they love about it. Very importantly, conduct research on yourself. Think about your skills and passions and how they can match roles that attract you. When you know where you want to be, go for it. 🔹 Fiona Roberts, Chief People Officer Invest in your own development by taking up any experiences, projects and opportunities to develop different and better skills. Develop your internal and external networks and manage your reputation; most jobs come through people you know, recommendations and sponsorship – never burn your bridges when you leave a place. Finally, ask for opportunities and don't be afraid to be told no. Create your life plan and know what you want to achieve in certain time scales. 🔹 Rebecca Holmes, Scientific Director Look for different opportunities to learn, both within your role and through taking on different roles. Also, look for opportunities to mentor and be mentored; champion and support others, including those in more junior and senior roles. Finally, share and discuss your ideas widely. The best ideas emerge through the creativity of different people. By learning from inspiring women like this, we can empower more women in their career journeys. ✨ #IWD2025

Ahead of International Women's Day tomorrow, we bring you our HeLa cells, the first immortal cell line to be cultured from Henrietta Lacks in 1951. Lacks' cervical cancer cells were a scientific breakthrough but surrounded by much controversy due to the treatment of the black female patient they were taken from without consent and their use; however, a hard battle was successfully fought to give Lacks the recognition she deserved and a voice to her and her family. This image comes from our in-house imaging hub. Credit: Rebecca Girling

🎬That's a wrap on the LifeArc Translational Science Summit on MND and Rare Dementias! Thank you to our incredible speakers and all who attended, we hope you found it as valuable as we did. Here's to shaping the future of neurodegenerative disease research! #RareNeuro #MND #RareDementias #Neurodegeneration

To close off a fantastic day of sessions, Jill Douglas MBE, sports broadcaster and patron of MND charity My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, took to the stage to reflect on Doddie Weir's incredible legacy. Jill shared her insights on the impact of MND charities, the ongoing search for effective treatments and the importance of collaborating with people living with MND to drive progress against this devastating condition. #RareNeuro #MND #RareDementias #Neurodegeneration

"Keep it collaborative, keep it coordinated, and keep communicating."   A special thank you to our expert panel, Lee Millard, David Setters, and Rick Nelms, for sharing their insights and lived experiences of MND.    Chaired by Natasha Ratcliffe, our session “Patient perspectives on MND therapeutic development” focused on whether MND research is meeting patient needs.   Some of the key priorities identified by our panel are: 🔹 Ensuring scientific research is communicated in a way that is accessible for people living with MND 🔹 Ensuring preclinical data is robust and increasing selectivity on which drugs are progressed into later-stage trials   🔹 The importance of continuing to communicate research as it provides hope to people living with the condition  🔹 Giving people with lived experiences a platform to share their perspectives   #RareNeuro #MND #RareDementias #Neurodegeneration

It's great to see all of our attendees at the LifeArc Translational Science Summit on MND and Rare Dementias enjoying some time to connect. After a morning of engaging sessions covering topics such as the challenges in MND and rare dementias, and how fluid biomarkers, data, gene therapies, and venture capital could be utilised to benefit the community, it's no surprise they have a lot to talk about! #RareNeuro #MND #RareDementias #Neurodegeneration