New tools and services to support businesses in synthetic biology
Businesses are being invited to develop standard tools and services that will help grow the emerging industry of synthetic biology. Up to £3.8 million is being made available by the Technology Strategy Board, together with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Welsh Government.
Synthetic biology applies engineering tools and approaches to biological cells, biochemical pathways and whole organisms. Potential applications include new ways of making high-value materials such as: fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals; renewable energy sources; processes for detecting and addressing environmental contamination; and increased agricultural productivity.
For example, a project between the John Innes Centre and antibiotic discovery firm Demuris is using synthetic biology to enhance the effectiveness of a novel antibiotic to combat hospital-acquired infections.
UK Science Minister David Willetts said:
“As one of the eight great technologies, synthetic biology has the potential to create exciting products, such as new antibiotics, helping to boost growth and keeping the UK ahead in the global race. Establishing new tools and services for the development of synthetic biology will significantly increase the rate of commercialisation in this emerging sector.”
While research in synthetic biology is moving fast, expanding this to commercial scale will take some time. This competition will help speed up the process of commercialisation through the development of standard tools and services. In particular, the funding support is designed to encourage projects that achieve greater efficiency in synthetic biology production methods.
Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, commented:
“UK businesses have a leading place in the global synthetic biology community. Developing standards tools and processes for this rapidly developing technology will help this sector move towards full commercialisation.”
The projected global market for this technology is in the region of $10 billion by 2016.
