UKRI invests £5.8m to drive growth in engineering biology sector

12 November 2024

Funds allocated to seed corn and proof of concept initiatives through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund.

Engineering biology has the potential to solve some of our biggest global challenges, from developing new vaccines and therapies, to plastic-free packaging and sustainable fuels for transport.

Two new investments through the UKRI Technology Missions Fund that will help to solve these challenges and drive economic growth in the UK's engineering biology sector were announced today by UKRI.

Proof of concept

A £3 million proof of concept programme aims to create new collaborations between academics and industry working in engineering biology.

The programme will be delivered through the SynbiCITE Innovation and Knowledge Centre based at Imperial College London's White City Deep Tech Campus.

The new programme is now open for applications.

Successful applicants will have access to SynbiCITE's state-of-the-art facilities like The London BioFoundry, providing a suite of equipment and training.

Find out more about how to apply on the SynbiCITE website.

Seed corn fund

A separate £2.8 million seed corn fund will support the development and growth of commercial opportunities arising from the previously funded Engineering Biology Mission Hubs and Mission Awards research programmes, which were announced earlier this year.

The seed corn fund aims to drive the commercialisation of engineering biology discoveries and the creation of new engineering biology ventures through support for activities such as:

• scaling of technologies or products with commercial potential
• developing self-sustaining business models
• investor and end-user engagement and market discovery
• enterprise and entrepreneurship training

Enormous potential

Science Minister Lord Vallance said:

Engineering biology is a technology with transformative potential for our health, the economy and national resilience.

From the development of new medicines to creating sustainable fuels, it could significantly help us in our missions to improve healthcare, grow our economy and become a green energy superpower.

To seize these opportunities, the Government must work closely with our researchers, academics and businesses.

This funding will be a welcome boost to innovators who are working to get their engineering biology breakthroughs out of the lab, and onto the marketplace.

It is also a key part of how we are delivering the National Vision for Engineering Biology.

Critical for UK strength and opportunity

Dr Kedar Pandya, UKRI Technology Missions Fund Senior Responsible Owner and Executive Director of Cross-Council Programmes at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council said:

Engineering biology is one of the technologies critical for UK strength and opportunity.

It has the enormous potential to address global challenges and is predicted to add billions of dollars to the global economy over the next decade.

Our latest investment through the UKRI Technology Missions Fund will provide support for researchers to seize the economic potential of this transformative technology to drive growth and bring wider societal benefits to the UK.

From concept to commercialisation

Dr Amanda Collis, UKRI Technology Mission Director for Engineering Biology and Executive Director, Research Strategy and Programmes at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council said:

UKRI is investing £5.8 million to drive the translation of engineering biology from concept through to commercialisation.

Engineering biology has a huge range of real-world applications, from producing new medicines to developing disease-resistant crops, and on through to environmental remediation and enabling more sustainable manufacturing processes.

This investment will help to deliver new engineering biology ventures, products, and services across a multitude of commercial sectors, helping to stimulate economic growth.

World class research facilities

Professor Richard Kitney, Chair of BioMedical Systems Engineering at Imperial College London and Co-Founder and Co-Director of SynbiCITE, said:

Engineering biology is the new frontier in manufacturing, job creation and solving global challenges in health and the environment. The UK has had extraordinary success in incubating synthetic biology startups, with companies like Multus Media, Colorifix and LabGenius growing from our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The UKRI funding will allow us to provide support and world class research facilities to more companies through the SynbiCITE Extended Proof of Concept Programme. At our White City Deep Tech Campus, part of the WestTech Corridor, Imperial offers engineers, scientists and business expertise through SynbiCITE (incorporating the London Biofoundry), the UK's national synthetic biology industry and engineering biology industrial accelerator.

Accelerating translation to solutions

Professor Frederic Coulon, Professor of Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology at Cranfield University said:

We are thrilled to receive the TMF Seed Corn investment, which will enable the EBIC Hub to advance innovative engineering biology and environmental biotechnologies toward commercialisation.

This funding will facilitate key activities, including the development of sustainable business models, prototype testing, and scale-up for technologies like advanced biosensors, metal mining engineered bacteria and engineered biofilm solutions for water and waste management.

Additionally, the award will provide crucial commercialisation training and mentorship for Early Career Researchers, equipping them with the skills to navigate market challenges.

Ultimately, this investment will accelerate the translation our innovations into impactful, market-ready solutions.