Emerging and Drug-Resistant Infectious Diseases drew participants from across the UK and Europe to explore the challenges and opportunities of drug discovery, vaccines, prophylactics and therapeutics
Among the attendees was Jennifer Halsall, fermentation scientist for Eden Biodesign .
The company is an integrated biopharmaceutical development organisation providing process development.
"It was very useful for me as a scientist to have an idea of other people's perceptions of the links between industry and universities," Halsall said.
"Obviously for this company, collaboration is what we're all about".
Networking was preceded by speeches from key representatives in the field of infectious diseases.
John Beadle, chief medical officer of PowderMed was joined by Kris Zak, senior research scientist at Unipath, with Stephen Fuller of the University of Oxford and John Stanford of University College London providing an academic perspective.
Networking took place among displays of the latest technology developments, reflecting the diverse range of applications required in the treatment and study of infectious diseases.
Researchers from St George's Biomics Centre presented work on the latest in genomics, and protein target discovery, while the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) showed challenge models for the evaluation of HIV-1 vaccines and immunotherapies.
Mike Skinner of Imperial College London presented research on recombinant FP9-T7 polymerase, and the zoology department of Oxford University displayed research on disease control in terms of neutralising mosquitoes and other pest insects.
The event also saw sensor technology firm Smiths Detection represented, with the company's principal biotechnologist Paul Gascoine in attendance.
"I went along to get myself a bit more up-to-date and in terms of biodefence technology," Gascoine said.
"I've already emailed a few people and am investigating some of the technology from the posters with a view to possible collaboration.
"I'm always on the lookout for new technology".
The next life science LTN event will be held on 31 January 2007 on diabetes.
