Nestled at the heart of Harwell Campus, Diamond Light Source is more than the UK’s national research facility, it’s a crucible for industrial innovation. At the helm of its industrial partnerships programme is Elizabeth Shotton, who heads up small team championing collaborative problem-solving with impressive results for industries worldwide from biotech and drug discovery to automotive to aerospace.

“My role is to oversee the commercial use of the facility,” Elizabeth explains. “We operate like a mini contract research organisation embedded within Diamond. Our team of 13 scientists—delivers end-to-end solutions for clients who don’t always have the expertise to navigate synchrotron science themselves.

This hands-on approach sets Diamond apart. While most synchrotrons offer facility access, Diamond invests in scientific partnerships with a full-service model. From triaging enquiries to designing experiments, conducting analysis, and delivering detailed reports.

“We’re not just providing photons on a beamline,” Elizabeth says. “We’re solving scientific challenges. Our clients range from academic researchers and start ups to global giants like AstraZeneca and GSK, and the service we provide is tailored to meet their unique needs.

Janssen Research and Development (a pharmaceutical company of Johnson & Johnson) used Diamond’s crystallography beamlines to reveal the structure of SM1B74, a human derived antibody and how it binds to bacterial targets. The partnership helped This is helping to inform the design and optimisation of treatments to over antibiotic-resistant pathogens responsible for a spectrum of health issues from minor skin infections like impetigo and cellulitis to severe, life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia and sepsis.

Supporting start ups on their innovation journey

One area where Diamond is making a significant impact is in supporting start ups. Early-stage companies often face barriers to progress, including limited access to expensive, cutting-edge equipment that can be critical for advancing their research. “For start ups, partnering with Diamond can be transformative,” Elizabeth explains. “We provide them with access to world-class facilities and expertise at a stage in their journey when purchasing such equipment outright might be out of reach. This enables them to accelerate their research and bring their innovations to market faster.”

“One example is where we helped a US start up by delivering their research results within six weeks, from initial enquiry. The company needed to take their results to the board to secure more funding, which is make or break for a small start up. And we were able to accommodate their request and help them secure the funding they needed to scale their work.”

Through these collaborations, start ups gain technical expertise and support but also the confidence of working alongside a trusted scientific institution. “It’s about levelling the playing field so that even the smallest companies can tackle big challenges,” Elizabeth adds.

Building Symbiotic Partnerships

One of Diamond’s key strengths lies in the mutually beneficial relationships it fosters. Industrial clients drive demand for automation, high-throughput capabilities, and computational innovation, which in turn enhances services for academic users. “It’s a symbiotic relationship,” Elizabeth notes. “The needs of industrial users have pushed us to innovate in ways that benefit all of our stakeholders.”

Strategic partnerships have also led to shared infrastructure investments. Johnson Matthey, for instance, chose to install specialised equipment at Diamond rather than at their own site, creating a win-win scenario. “We gain access to that equipment for our user community, and they benefit from proximity to our beamlines and expertise” she explains.

Flexibility, Speed, and Service

Diamond’s industrial programme prides itself on flexibility. The team accommodates projects ranging from one-off experiments to long-term collaborations. “We allocate time throughout the year for industrial science and can schedule projects on a first-come, first-served basis.

This adaptability is critical to retaining clients. “What brings them back is our combination of unique facilities, fast turnaround times, and the quality of our service,” she says. “We’re proud to have clients who’ve worked with us since our first users in 2008.”

The People Factor

Despite its global reach, with a diverse set of clients from the US, Japan, and across Europe, Diamond thrives on personal connections. Proximity fosters collaboration. “For our strongest partnerships, it’s all about the people,” Elizabeth says. “At Harwell there’s lots of places we’re able to meet regularly and brainstorm with our partners over a coffee or lunch, such as DiSH (the campus’ mini box park). We’re just throwing out ideas really at that point or where we might have future projects through commercial routes or studentships. And that’s perfect.”

Whether it’s crafting ground breaking experiments or sharing ideas over coffee, the Industrial Liaison team operates at the cutting edge of science and industry. “Our work doesn’t lead to publications, but it’s deeply rewarding,” Elizabeth reflects. “We’re part of discoveries that push boundaries and solve real-world problems. That’s what makes it exciting.”