Collaborative development of new synthetic biology tools
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Biological Sciences
Abstract
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| Description | This travel award allowed a team of synthetic biologists at the University of Edinburgh, led by Dr Louise Horsfall, to explore ideas for collaborative research with academics in China. Materials and techniques were shared, and academics, PDRAs and PhD students exchanged visits. The relationships formed have resulted in the academics involved collaborating in journal editorships, conference speaker invitations, society board memberships and in the submission of collaborative research proposals. To date no funding has been secured to grow this research collaboration further. However, the team remain in regular contact and will continue to look for research opportunities. |
| Exploitation Route | We will continue to develop our research ideas and submit proposals for collaborative projects |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | Coordinated a University response to the Convention on Biological Diversity |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Public consultation on the preliminary opinion on Synthetic Biology |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/emerging/docs/scenihr_o_044.pdf |
| Description | SSAC report on SB: opportunities for Scotland |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | http://www.scottishscience.org.uk/article/opportunities-scotland-synthetic-biology-ssac-report-publi... |
| Description | BBSRC: SPARKING IMPACT AWARD |
| Amount | £19,651 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | SI.1 2013-0103 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2014 |
| End | 08/2014 |
| Description | Newton Fund - China-UK Research & Innovation Bridges |
| Organisation | Beijing University of Chemical Technology |
| Country | China |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Unsuccessful application to the Newton Fund - China-UK Research & Innovation Bridges with UK company Epona to Innovate_UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Unsuccessful application to the Newton Fund - China-UK Research & Innovation Bridges with Chinese company Sinosteel Tiancheng Corp |
| Impact | Unsuccessful application to the Newton Fund - China-UK Research & Innovation Bridges This application included industrial partners in the field of Engineering Alternative funding sources are being sought. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Bang Goes the Borders activities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Organised and demonstrated research-related activities for Bang Goes the Borders event in Melrose, Scottish Borders. We discussed our research and its impact with both school pupils and their families. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Highlighting Synthetic Biology at the Edinburgh International Science Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Highlighting Synthetic Biology at a stand within the Museum while a room-sized balloon sculpture was being created and linking its creation to synthetic biology principles provoked many discussions and drew a lot of attention from visitors. Asked to participate in the festival and highlight synthetic biology again the following year |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Interview for Research Professional |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Interview described importance of internal collaboration and directed readers to schemes which fund travel, subsistence etc. I was interviewed again by Research Professional for my views on other matters My interview was read an noted by colleagues who asked me follow up questions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.researchprofessional.com/0/rr/funding/insight/2013/11/Winning-proposal-a-partnership-with... |
| Description | Invited speaker to 'Curious Minds' lecture series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Presented my research in an accessible way to the Perthshire Society of Natural Science. A regional learned society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Synthetic biology debate panellist |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited synthetic biology debate panellist at the Linnean Society of London, hosted by the London Evolutionary Research Network. This was a public debate, organised by a learned society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | UN Biodiversity Conference 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The Royal Society, the African Academy of Sciences and the Wellcome Trust organised an event on synthetic biology at the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. This event informed conference delegates about synthetic biology as they debate how these technologies should be regulated. The Convention on Biological Diversity's (CBD) has been in discussions on synthetic biology since the 2016 Conference of Parties (COP) and there was another effort at this year's COP to agree proposals that would serve as a moratorium on gene drive research and possibly have wider implications for synthetic biology. This event at COP was to provide delegates with an opportunity to hear about synthetic biology research and governance in a range of countries and contexts. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |