Synthetic biology

The groups in this research theme are developing the foundational tools for synthetic biology and using these to generate innovative biological applications for cutting-edge research, healthcare and industry. The scientific research goals are to establish an engineering framework for the design and optimisation of new synthetic biology parts, devices and systems, and in tandem apply synthetic biology to develop a wide range of novel biotechnologies. Along with our research and development of synthetic biology, we also integrate our science with emerging ethical, legal and societal issues to responsibly mature this powerful new technology.

For more information on our MRes in Systems and Synthetic Biology course, please click here.

 The Department also hosts the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in BioDesign Engineering, which aims to train the next generation of leaders at the interface of biology, engineering, physical and data sciences. The CDT has an integrative training programme that covers experimentation, automation, coding, data science and entrepreneurship applied to the design, realisation and optimisation of novel biological systems for diverse applications.

 The CDT is led by Imperial College London with the University of Manchester and University College London as partners. All students undertake the MRes in Systems and Synthetic Biology at Imperial College in their first year, with an extended project at the lead-supervisor institution, followed by a 3 year PhD registration in that host institution. 

For more information on the CDT in BioDesign Engineering, please click here.

Institutes, centres and initiatives

This Research Theme is associated to the following institutes, centres and initiatives:

• Artificial Intelligence Network
• The Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology
  
• The Centre for Advanced Therapeutics at Imperial College London
• Centre for Integrative Systems Biology and Bioinformatics
• Malaria Network

Academic staff in this area