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 Win-Win Investments: Synthetic Biology for growth and innovation Dr Andy Boyce Strategy and Policy Manager

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 SyntheticBiologySyntheticBiology Bionano- science Orthogonal Biosystems Protocells Regulatory Circuits Systems Engineering Systems Biology / Modelling Computational Design DNA Synthesis / Next Generation Sequencing Minimal Genomes Metabolic Engineering Other areas.... 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

Building a multidisciplinary research community Funding world class synthetic biology research Boosting research capacity in synthetic biology Postgraduate training and fellowships Industrial partnership, growing new businesses Ethical, legal and societal issues and public dialogue International stakeholder engagement – US, EU, China UK Synthetic Biology strategy UK Synthetic Biology Strategy

Building a multidisciplinary research community Funding world class synthetic biology research Boosting research capacity in synthetic biology Postgraduate training and fellowships Industrial partnership, growing new businesses Ethical, legal and societal issues and public dialogue International stakeholder engagement – US, EU, China UK Synthetic Biology strategy UK Synthetic Biology Strategy

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

Building a multidisciplinary research community Funding world class synthetic biology research Boosting research capacity in synthetic biology Postgraduate training and fellowships Industrial partnership, growing new businesses Ethical, legal and societal issues and public dialogue International stakeholder engagement – EU, US, China UK Synthetic Biology strategy UK Synthetic Biology Strategy

UK - International Synthetic Biology links ERA-NET in Synthetic Biology (ERASynBio) Partners ESF EuroSYNBIO grants with UK partners Centres involved in UK - EU FP7 funded projects Funding links Policy links China The US

Building a multidisciplinary research community Funding world class synthetic biology research Boosting research capacity in synthetic biology Postgraduate training and fellowships Industrial partnership, growing new businesses Ethical, legal and societal issues and public dialogue International stakeholder engagement – US, EU, China UK Synthetic Biology strategy UK Synthetic Biology Strategy

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)

Building a multidisciplinary research community Funding world class synthetic biology research Boosting research capacity in synthetic biology Postgraduate training and fellowships Industrial partnership, growing new businesses Ethical, legal and societal issues and public dialogue International stakeholder engagement – US, EU, China UK Synthetic Biology strategy UK Synthetic Biology Strategy

Applications for Synthetic Biology Medicine biotherapeuticsantibioticsvaccines Gene therapy/ drug delivery Tissue engineering diagnostics Energy Hydrogen generating microbes 2 nd generation biofuels Artificial photosynthesis Environment Pollution detectors bioremediation Chemicals Industry Improved production of fine/bulk chemicals Engineered microbes for fibre production Artificial fibres National Security Biological weapons sensors Agriculture Food additives Nanotech Molecular switches Biological nanomachines Early industrial applications for Synthetic Biology

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: recommendations.aspx Synthetic biology: social and ethical challenges: synthetic-biology.aspx BBSRC Synthetic Biology Contacts: Dr Amanda Collis: Dr Andy Boyce: Dr Mark Roberts: