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Partners in Aquatic Biotechnology
Overview
• The ATC is an EU-supported initiative
• It aims to make more accessible to the
commercial sector, the skills and
facilities of the Institute of
Aquaculture
• The ATC brings together several longstanding commercial services, and
helps to nurture new ones
• It provides a central contact point for
commercial enquiries
The ATC Especially Serves:
• Biotechnology,
environment, food &
animal health sector
companies seeking
contract research partners
and analytical facilities
• Public & finance sector
institutions requiring
guidance on aquaculture
& aquatic biotechnology
• Any company requiring
additional resources and
advice to develop products
for the aquaculture
industry worldwide
• Existing aquaculture
enterprises requiring
support with diagnostics,
health management,
environmental assessment
& monitoring etc.
Access to Leading Expertise
Research & Teaching Administration
Reproduction
& Genetics
Aquatic
animal health
Diagnostics
Nutrition
Contract
Research
Academic
activities
Environment
Environmental
Services
Aquaculture Technology Centre Services
Systems
Stirling
Aquaculture
Commercial
activities
Services
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Contract research
Analytical services
Disease diagnostics
Environmental
assessment
• Expert advice
• Supporting market and
sector studies
• Training
Contract research
• The Institute has over 2,500 m2 of
wet laboratory area, split between
6 aquaria
• Aquaria are mostly temperature
controlled, two with full disease
isolation facilities
• These aquaria are complemented
by around twenty specialist
laboratories totalling 800 m2
• Over 200 m2 of GLP accredited
research laboratories
• Excellent analytical equipment
and highly trained staff
External facilities
• The Institute additionally has
three external facilities
available for contract research
– Machrihanish
– Howietoun
– Buckieburn
Machrihanish
• The Marine Environmental
Research Laboratory makes
available:
– More than 100 holding tanks
of various sizes, ranging from
1m to 4m diameter
– Heated and cooled seawater for
temperature-dependent or outof-season studies
– Purpose built facilities for drug
testing and feed trials
– Isolation suite with effluent
disinfection for research on
infectious diseases of marine
organisms
– Heated full-recirculation units
for studies with tropical and
warm-water species
Buckieburn
• The Freshwater Research
Laboratory makes
available:
– Around 100 holding tanks
of various sizes, ranging
from 1m to 5m diameter
housed in three separate
steel buildings
– Purpose built laboratory for
initial processing of
research material
Analytical services
• Analytical services can be provided based
on the following major items of equipment:
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DNA Sequencer
PCR machines
HPLC & GC-MS
Amino Acid Analyser
AA Spectrophotometer
CHN/SO Analyser
Coulter Multisizer
Transmission & scanning electron
microscopes
– Radioisotope facilities
• Plus a full range of standard chemical
analysis for water and feeds etc.
Diagnostic services
• 3 Senior vets available for
on-site advice and labbased diagnostics
• Full access to diagnostic
laboratories, including
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Histology
Bacteriology
Virology
Molecular & immunology
based diagnostics
– Electron microscopy
• On-demand, contract and
postal services available
Environmental services
• Resource assessment
and management
• Impact assessment and
monitoring
• Training
Consultancy
• Primarily carried out through the
“Stirling Aquaculture” arm of the
Institute
• 5 Stirling based staff, 2 overseas
project managers, several part-time
associate consultants and access to
other staff of the Institute of
Aquaculture or University
Department of Marketing
• Regularly carry out sector, market
and feasibility studies, manage
aquaculture start-ups and expansion,
provide expert witnesses or trouble
shooting
Training
• Training placements
are available in most
sections of the
Institute.
• Assistance with
funding may be
available through EU
or local training
schemes
Partnerships
• The Institute is keen to
partner with
commercial
organisations for the
development of new
products and services
• Various facilities exist
to support academic
and commercial
partnerships
BBSRC Related Funding
• BBSRC for instance
have several support
facilities:
– LINK
– Industrial Partnerships
– Small Business
Research Initiative
– Industrial CASE
Scheme
– Industry Fellowships
– Faraday Partnerships
Other support
• EC – CRAFT and Innovation projects under the
Framework RTD programmes
• SEERAD – Agriculture and biological Research
Group
• Scottish Enterprise- Small Company Innovation
Scheme & Expert Help
• Local Council – various assistance schemes
• TCS – funding from DTI and BBSRC
• Funding to support the employment of a graduate on a project that
is central to the needs of the company – jointly supervised by a
University and company supervisor
• Involves 1 or more “Associates” on programmes lasting 2 (or
exceptionally 3 or 4) years
• Companies improve competitiveness by gaining access to
knowledge that helps them to innovate, improve operations and
quality and to expand sales and markets. Companies are expected
to contribute financially to the programme
• University gains insights into business needs and can relate its
research and training to business. Benefits staff and reputation
• The graduate gains through responsible employment, business
related training and other personal development opportunities
The Aquaculture Technology Centre is supported by the European Regional
Development Fund through the East of Scotland European Partnership