Win-Win Investments: Synthetic Biology
for growth and innovation
Dr Andy Boyce
Strategy and Policy Manager
Image 1 – Tomato seedling iStockphoto/Thinkstock, Image 2 – Fermenter iStockphoto/Thinkstock 2011, Image 3 – Wheat Hermerara/Getty Images, Image 4 –DNAConfig Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Thinkstock,
Image 5 – Jersey Cow iStockphoto/Thinkstock, Image 6 – Scientist Comstock / Thinkstock
Agenda
• What do we mean by Synthetic Biology?
• UK interest in Synthetic Biology
• UK strategy for Synthetic Biology:
– Research, International, Public dialog
– Innovation and Industry
What do we mean by ‘Synthetic Biology’?
The UK views Synthetic Biology as an emerging multidisciplinary
field with strong potential for impact on innovation and global
grand challenges
BBSRC defines Synthetic Biology thus:
“Synthetic biology aims to design and engineer novel biologically
based parts, devices and systems, as well as redesign existing
natural biological systems for useful purposes.”
It incorporates the principles of engineering e.g. modularity,
abstraction and orthogonality into classical biotechnology.
What is the Scope of Synthetic Biology
Regulatory
Circuits
Minimal
Genomes
Protocells
Synthetic
Biology
Metabolic
Engineering
DNA Synthesis /
Next Generation
Sequencing
Systems
Engineering
Orthogonal
Biosystems
Bionanoscience
Systems Biology
/ Modelling
Computational
Design
Other
areas....
UK public organisations interested in SynBio
Research Councils
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
• Medical Research Council
• Economic and Social Research Council
Learned Societies
• The Royal Society
• The Royal Academy of Engineering
Government Departments
• Department of Business, Innovation and Skills
– Technology Strategy Board
• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (MoD)
• Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
UK Synthetic Biology strategy
Building a multidisciplinary
research community
Funding world class
synthetic biology research
International stakeholder
engagement – US, EU, China
UK Synthetic
Biology Strategy
Ethical, legal and societal
issues and public dialogue
Industrial partnership,
growing new businesses
Boosting research capacity
in synthetic biology
Postgraduate training
and fellowships
UK Synthetic Biology strategy
Building a multidisciplinary
research community
Funding world class
synthetic biology research
International stakeholder
engagement – US, EU, China
UK Synthetic
Biology Strategy
Ethical, legal and societal
issues and public dialogue
Industrial partnership,
growing new businesses
Boosting research capacity
in synthetic biology
Postgraduate training
and fellowships
Funding world class science and boosting capacity
Responsive mode funding
• Priority for BBSRC and EPSRC
• Initiative funding from MRC and ESRC
BBSRC strategic Longer Larger (LoLa) grants
• £4m investment in ‘click chemistry’ for DNA ligation
• Synthetic Biology for ‘white biotech’ priority
EPSRC Science and Innovation awards
• £4m investment in Imperial Colleague London
• £5m investment in platform technologies for SynBio
UK Synthetic Biology strategy
Building a multidisciplinary
research community
Funding world class
synthetic biology research
International stakeholder
engagement – EU, US, China
UK Synthetic
Biology Strategy
Ethical, legal and societal
issues and public dialogue
Industrial partnership,
growing new businesses
Boosting research capacity
in synthetic biology
Postgraduate training
and fellowships
UK - International Synthetic Biology links
The US
China
Policy links
ERA-NET in Synthetic Biology (ERASynBio) Partners
Funding links
ESF EuroSYNBIO grants with UK partners
Centres involved in UK - EU FP7 funded projects
UK Synthetic Biology strategy
Building a multidisciplinary
research community
Funding world class
synthetic biology research
International stakeholder
engagement – US, EU, China
UK Synthetic
Biology Strategy
Ethical, legal and societal
issues and public dialogue
Industrial partnership,
growing new businesses
Boosting research capacity
in synthetic biology
Postgraduate training
and fellowships
Ethical, legal and societal issues and public dialogue
Ethics and public dialog
• Bioscience for Society SynBio subpanel (2007)
• Social and Ethical Challenges (2008)
• Synthetic Biology Dialog (2010)
– 41 stakeholders: industry, religious groups,
NGOs, regulators, researchers and others
– 160 members of the public
– Conditional support for Synthetic Biology
Regulation
• Stakeholders scenario planning (2008)
UK Synthetic Biology strategy
Building a multidisciplinary
research community
Funding world class
synthetic biology research
International stakeholder
engagement – US, EU, China
UK Synthetic
Biology Strategy
Ethical, legal and societal
issues and public dialogue
Industrial partnership,
growing new businesses
Boosting research capacity
in synthetic biology
Postgraduate training
and fellowships
Applications for Synthetic Biology
Medicine
Energy
Environment
Chemicals
Industry
biotherapeutics
Hydrogen
generating
microbes
Pollution
detectors
Improved
production of
fine/bulk
chemicals
antibiotics
2nd generation
biofuels
bioremediation
Engineered
microbes for
fibre production
vaccines
Artificial
photosynthesis
Artificial fibres
Gene therapy/
drug delivery
Tissue
engineering
diagnostics
Early industrial applications
for Synthetic Biology
National
Security
Biological
weapons
sensors
Agriculture
Food additives
Nanotech
Molecular
switches
Biological
nanomachines
Economic potential for Synthetic Biology
• The global market for synthetic biology has been
estimated to exceed $10bn in 2016
– Growth rate of 45% per year
– The US has around 70 products nearing market
• TSB have identified Synthetic Biology as the emerging
technology most important for the UK
– The UK is aiming for a £1bn market within 10 years
How do we bridge the gap between excellent science in
our institutions and industry?
Build an overarching network
TSB have developed a
Special Interest Group (SIG)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Building the community
Networking
Facilitating collaboration
Supporting initiatives
Knowledge exchange
Connecting across sectors
and disciplines
Funding a Feasibility Competition (now open)
Advancing the industrial
applications of Synthetic Biology
• Funding of up to £6.5m from TSB,
BBSRC and EPSRC
• £375k to demonstrate innovative
industrial applications of SynBio
• De-risk R&D for UK industry
• Accelerate technology development
• Generate a critical mass
• Support collaboration and KE
BBSRC web links:
• The Synthetic Biology dialog:
www.bbsrc.ac.uk/society/dialogue/activities/synthetic-biology/findingsrecommendations.aspx
• Synthetic biology: social and ethical challenges:
www.bbsrc.ac.uk/organisation/policies/reviews/scientific-areas/0806synthetic-biology.aspx
BBSRC Synthetic Biology Contacts:
• Dr Amanda Collis: amanda.collis@bbsrc.ac.uk
• Dr Andy Boyce: andy.boyce@bbsrc.ac.uk
• Dr Mark Roberts: mark.roberts2@bbsrc.ac.uk