30.01.14
£40m for new synthetic biology centres
Three new synthetic biology centres are to be established in Bristol, Nottingham and through a Cambridge/Norwich partnership, the government has announced.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) will provide £30m investment over five years, with another £10m from government.
The centres will boost the UK’s research capacity and drive the development of new technology, applying engineering principles to biology to make new biological parts, devices and systems. This could help improve our knowledge of DNA sequencing as well as developing new medicines.
Science minister David Willetts, said: “Synthetic biology is one of the most promising areas of modern science, which is why we have identified it as one of the eight great British technologies of the future. Synthetic biology has the potential to drive economic growth but still remains relatively untapped and these new centres will ensure that the UK is at the forefront when it comes to commercialising these new technologies.”
Professor Jackie Hunter, BBSRC chief executive, said: “Our continued substantial investment in synthetic biology highlights the potential of this important area of science. We must find new solutions to the major global challenges that we face today and these research centres will seek more sustainable ways of producing important industrial materials, food and fuels, while advancing diagnostics and medicines.”
Professor David Delpy, EPSRC chief executive, said: “Synthetic biology is a very rapidly moving field, bringing together the basic physical sciences with engineering innovation and applying these in the life sciences. It has enormous potential to help us tackle many of the big issues facing the world as well as resulting in new industries. These new centres are building on a solid foundation of investment from both Research Councils that has drawn together skills and knowledge from across all scientific and engineering disciples.”
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