New funding secured for next-generation technology training

LSTM has been awarded close to £2.5m from the Office for Students (OfS) to enhance its infrastructure to deliver a new range of training provision, supporting students and health professionals to upskill in digital skills, machine learning, AI, data science and digital health. These skills will be essential for discovering and implementing new diagnostics and treatments for some of the world’s most deadly infectious diseases.

The new training infrastructure will be built alongside cutting-edge research facilities, such as the Liverpool Robotic Infection Research Laboratory – the UK’s first high containment, Category Three Level, AI-powered robotics laboratory, being delivered by LSTM and iiCON.

Professor Giancarlo Biagini, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at LSTM, who leads iiCON’s organoids platform, said: “We are pioneering transformative new technologies in translational research, training and innovation. This new funding will enable us to build new state-of-the-art digital training environments which use AI and machine learning to aid clinical diagnosis and train the next generation of scientists to adopt and integrate AI into their research. These will be critical facilities in providing a skilled regional workforce equipped to meet future health challenges.”

Office for Students funding

LSTM will receive £2.49m from the OfS to deliver:

A state-of-the-art clinical simulation environment for practical training in the treatment of High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCID). This will include UV-based simulation technology and high-resolution displays for image interpretation and AI training.

A digital health innovation lab utilising AI, data science, and diagnostics. The facility will feature a high-performance computing cluster to manage anonymised health datasets.

Digital pathology stations and simulated diagnostics platforms, allowing hands-on learning in genomics, proteomics, and rare and imported pathogens. Connected to the clinical simulation environment, this will support collaborative learning in imaging and diagnostic AI, featuring dedicated links to the Liverpool Robotic Infection Research Laboratory, and will provide further capability for training in AI, robotics, and pathogen diagnostics.

OfS funding

The OfS’ capital funding allocation is designed to help institutions will help institutions to deliver courses that will increase opportunities for students and support national growth, regional economies, and local employers.

Successful bids had to demonstrate how they will address the government’s industrial strategy and priority sectors for growth or meet the needs of local employers and regional economies. The successful bids also had to offer excellent value for money and support environmental sustainability measures as appropriate.

OfS Director of Resources and Finance, Nolan Smith, said: “This year’s funding allocation will help a broad range of universities and colleges to ensure their students can access the facilities and equipment they need to succeed.

“This was a very competitive funding round, and the projects we are supporting will make a tangible difference to current and future students. As well as expanding opportunities for students in strategically important subject areas, these projects will offer a boost to local and regional economies and promote national growth.’

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said: “This government is committed to supporting colleges and universities as engines of opportunity and growth up and down the country.

“This cash boost from government ensures young people are using the most up-to-date tech and facilities, helping them to secure a future in the well-paying, highly-skilled jobs that are crucial for our Plan for Change.

“It will help build towards the Prime Minister’s target of two thirds of young people taking a gold standard apprenticeship or heading to university by the age of 25 – driving prosperity for families in every town and city.”

Life sciences investment

The unique £20m Liverpool Robotic Infection Research Laboratory  is due to open fully in 2027. This £20 million facility is being delivered by iiCON and LSTM, with £10million funding from the Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone to support the next phase of iiCON activity.

Equipped with liquid handling, robotic systems and analytical equipment, the Liverpool Robotic Infection Research Laboratory will provide industry and academic collaborators with the containment and research capabilities to safely tackle high-risk global infectious diseases.

The ambitious new unit is part of the 10-year Liverpool City Region Life Sciences Innovation Zone programme which is expected to attract up to £800m public and private investment and create 8,000 new skilled jobs to the region.

Funded by a £10 million investment from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, alongside funding from Research England’s Expanding Excellence in England E3 fund, and The Wolfson Foundation, the facility will accelerate the preclinical development of new therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics, reinforcing the UK’s global leadership in health innovation.

As well as saving lives, the Liverpool Robotic Infection Research Laboratory is forecast to generate £40m of investment in the first three years – creating well-paid jobs and driving research.