£20 million to fight virtual crime and treat our ageing ...(trepreneurial environment where ground-b...)

Currently, with around 1 trillion devices with the ability to access the internet, connectivity has never been easier. However, with global connectivity comes global vulnerability in terms privacy, security and trustworthiness of information. Secure information technologies are vital in the 21st Century information age if the relentless developments in computer, communications and network technologies are to continue. "Cyber-attack", including financial and economic attack, is arguably now a very serious national and international issue.

Belfast's new IKC will develop secure solutions to a number of particularly modern problems from protecting mobile phone networks to the creation of secure 'corridors' for the seamless and rapid transit of people, circumventing the need for conventional security at airports

The University of Leeds IKC will focus on healthcare innovation, in particular the emerging field of regenerative therapies. The centre will pioneer physical and biological treatments to help patients deal with a variety of ailments that will affect an active, but ageing population.

Researchers are working on using emerging novel technologies in biological scaffolds, nano-biomaterials and self-assembling peptides to enhance and accelerate the regeneration of tissues by harnessing the power of endogenous stem cells.

Applications for the research are numerous, with clear opportunities in treating cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as aiding those with musculoskeletal disease. The team are also working on a range of longer-lasting hip replacements.