In this section

Research

Biological systems - including the simplest cells - exhibit a broad range of functions to thrive in their environment. Research in the Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology is focused on the possibility of engineering the underlying biochemical processes to solve many of the challenges facing society, from healthcare to sustainable energy. In particular, we model, analyse, design and build biological and biochemical systems in living cells and/or in cell extracts, both exploring and enhancing the engineering potential of biology.

As part of our research we develop novel methods to accelerate the celebrated Design-Build-Test-Learn synthetic biology cycle. As such research in the Centre for Synthetic Biology highly multi- and interdisciplinary covering computational modelling and machine learning approaches; automated platform development and genetic circuit engineering ; multi-cellular and multi-organismal interactions, including gene drive and genome engineering; metabolic engineering; in vitro/cell-free synthetic biology; engineered phages and directed evolution; and biomimetics, biomaterials and biological engineering.

Publications

Citation

BibTex format

@article{Clarke:2016:10.1016/j.synbio.2016.09.003,
author = {Clarke, LJ and Kitney, RI},
doi = {10.1016/j.synbio.2016.09.003},
journal = {Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology},
pages = {243--257},
title = {Synthetic biology in the UK – An outline of plans and progress},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.synbio.2016.09.003},
volume = {1},
year = {2016}
}

Download

RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Synthetic biology is capable of delivering new solutions to key challenges spanning the bioeconomy, both nationally and internationally. Recognising this significant potential and the associated need to facilitate its translation and commercialisation the UK government commissioned the production of a national Synthetic Biology Roadmap in 2011, and subsequently provided crucial support to assist its implementation.Critical infrastructural investments have been made, and important strides made towards the development of an effectively connected community of practitioners and interest groups. A number of Synthetic Biology Research Centres, DNA Synthesis Foundries, a Centre for Doctoral Training, and an Innovation Knowledge Centre have been established, creating a nationally distributed and integrated network of complementary facilities and expertise.The UK Synthetic Biology Leadership Council published a UK Synthetic Biology Strategic Plan in 2016, increasing focus on the processes of translation and commercialisation. Over 50 start-ups, SMEs and larger companies are actively engaged in synthetic biology in the UK, and inward investments are starting to flow.Together these initiatives provide an important foundation for stimulating innovation, actively contributing to international research and development partnerships, and helping deliver useful benefits from synthetic biology in response to local and global needs and challenges.
AU  - Clarke,LJ
AU  - Kitney,RI
DO  - 10.1016/j.synbio.2016.09.003
EP  - 257
PY  - 2016///
SN  - 2405-805X
SP  - 243
TI  - Synthetic biology in the UK – An outline of plans and progress
T2  - Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.synbio.2016.09.003
UR  - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/43688
VL  - 1
ER  -

Download