Dr Allyson Reed, director of marketing and business development at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, describes how a collabroative approach adds to the enterprise economy of Oxfordshire

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), one of Europe's largest multi-disciplinary research centres, is poised to develop further as a major international focus.

Home to world-leading facilities and expertise and used by scientists from across the UK and globally, it is a window into the world of research and innovation.

The site's facilities are used to probe the nature of materials using high-powered lasers, the world's most intense pulsed neutron source. In the near future, the site will also house a new 500m synchrotron.

Uniquely, these facilities are surrounded by experts in sensors and instrumentation, data management, simulation and networking, systems engineering, space and cryogenics, nanoengineering and radio propagation, to name but a few. These skills are applied to a breathtaking range of research challenges from probing the intimate secrets of matter at sub-atomic levels, to looking into the farthest recesses of deep space, from understanding the internal architecture of materials, including the molecules of life itself, to organising the World Wide Web.

The laboratory works in partnerships to obtain the greatest benefits from these skills, addressing research challenges and exploiting expertise. It already collaborates with more than 200 companies, from start-ups to multinationals, in sectors spanning pharmaceutical and biosciences through to engineering and multimedia.

Traditional patenting and licensing still have roles to play, but RAL pioneers new ways of working, from offering turnkey services to establishing the truly interactive teams that are increasingly needed to release real value. In these days of growing product complexity and increasing competition, the ability to access world-class expertise swiftly, without having to own the infrastructure, offers a significant competitive advantage.

Bookham Technology, a company specialising in integrated optical components, showed how this could work. It started life as the brainchild of founder, Mr Andrew Rickman. An early base at RAL provided access to leading edge microfabrication facilities and experts. This accelerated early work giving the company a flying start. Today, a cluster of on-site companies follow this model, growing with access to facilities and expertise in a lively, international scientific environment. Innovating by applying developments from one area to solving problems in another is also rewarding see new opportunities for novel technology, don't try to reinvent the wheel!

The technology skills being honed today will provide the seeds of future exciting exploitation. Opportunities are immense and highly relevant to Oxfordshire.

RAL challenges conventional thinking and cuts across traditional boundaries to open up opportunities.The enthusiasm of the people in such a stimulating environment will lead to more exciting developments.

Together we can do more is not an idle boast, in putting science to work, it is the springboard to success.