Another successful spin-off has been the creation of a unique gel - hailed as Wondergel by national and international media - and developed and patented by researchers at the University's School of Pharmacy. The unique hydrogel can be used to soak up oil pollution, transport medicines in the body, and even grow new skin cells.

Developed by Dr Donald Eagland and Dr Nicholas Crowther, the gel is expected to make a major environmental, medical and industrial impact in a number of fields including oil.

Together with Dr Stephen Britland, also of the University's School of Pharmacy, the team has now started work on a project to use the gel to grow skin cells that can be used for placing on to the surface of large burns.

The University is continuing to develop spin-off companies and has a number of ongoing projects across the Schools, including life sciences, health studies and engineering, that are pushing back the boundaries of research and applying new innovations commercially.

Looking to the future, the University has signalled its commitment to working at the forefront of knowledge and to developing new and interdisciplinary work across the Schools with the appointment of a new Director of Research. Other spin-off companies such as Blue Dot (telecommunications) are thriving, whilst new research awards, including £700,000 from the EU Fifth Framework programme, are helping to build on programmes of research across the University.