BrisEngBio: From Synthetic to Engineering Biology at Bristol

Lead Research Organisation: University of Bristol
Department Name: Chemistry

Abstract

Synthetic biology can be defined as the application of physical and engineering principles to the design or redesign of biological components and systems. The aim is to learn how to manipulate biological molecules and systems to generate new synthetic biological functions and devices. This advances fundamental science, and it presents routes to tackle pressing challenges spanning medicine, food security, and the environment. Indeed, even in the early days of synthetic biology, there was always the aspiration that synthetic biology would open doors to new biotechnologies to transform lives.

Over the past ten years, through a programme called Synthetic Biology for Growth, the UK Research Councils (now collectively called UKRI) were world-leading in defining what synthetic biology is and establishing it as mainstream scientific activity in UK universities and research institutes. This has been extremely successful and there are now several UKRI-funded centres of excellence around the UK. One of these is at the University of Bristol and is called BrisSynBio. This centre conducts fundamental synthetic-biology research, helps train the next generation of synthetic biologists, and performs outreach and public-engagement activities. BrisSynBio has also led directly to the incorporation of several new biotechnology companies.

The UKRI is now building on this platform through a new initiative called the National Engineering Biology Programme (NEBP). The aim of this is to realise the full potential of synthetic biology by promoting and supporting the application of this science to kick-start a new and transformative biotechnology sector. The NEBP poses several themes in research and innovation to address current societal challenges in biomedicine, clean growth, food systems, and the environment. Based on the success and firm foundation of BrisSynBio, we propose a new Bristol Centre for Engineering Biology, BrisEngBio, to address the aspirations and challenges of the NEBP.

BrisEngBio will bring together 55 biological & physical scientists, computational experts & theoreticians, and engineers from 11 Schools and 4 Faculties across the University of Bristol. Together, these researchers will work in multidisciplinary teams to tackle pressing scientific and technology problems that will impact several of the above grand societal challenges. These include: designing new protein molecules to diagnose and then repair problems associated with diseases in living cells; harnessing newly discovered strains of bacteria from deep-sea sponges to produce a new generation of antibiotics; developing different ways of delivering biologically active compounds and medicines into living organisms; and understanding how microbes might be incorporated into composite materials to install new physical properties with impacts across a wide range of manufacturing processes.

Much of the work that underpins these projects is fundamental science. However, there is also considerable potential to use results from this work to solve real-world problems through the so-called "translation of basic science". To enable this and to best ensure that BrisEngBio's science is brought to market, we will employ a dedicated Innovation Manager who is an expert in synthetic biology and biotechnology. As well as working with BrisEngBio researchers, they will help to protect intellectual property through patents or licensing deals, liaise with local and national industry to foster collaborations and partnerships, and, when appropriate, advise on spinning out new biotech companies into Bristol's growing and vibrant bioeconomy. To support this, we plan to work with a local company called Science Creates, which provides incubator space for new biotechnology companies, training activities for early career researchers and future bio-entrepreneurs, and, when needed, access to the investors required to fund biotechnology ventures beyond the initial publicly funded research.

Technical Summary

BrisEngBio is organised into 4 Research Strands that cover key and strong interdisciplinary interfaces between the life & physical sciences and engineering at Bristol. These are in: Biomolecular design and assembly in cells; Development and delivery of bioactive molecules; Synthetic cells & organs, and cell-based therapeutics; and Engineering living & sustainable composite interfaces. These will be supported by a Cross-cutting Enabler in Data-driven design, advanced computing & modelling across scales. A second Underpinning Enabler in Innovation, translation, and partnerships will coordinate and deliver BrisEngBio's translational agenda. Leads of these Strands and Enablers have been appointed to give the best complementary expertise and to ensure equality, diversity, and inclusion across BrisEngBio.

To support research and translation, we request support for 12 1-year PDRAs. 4 will be appointed immediately to the Exemplar projects associated with each Strand. The remaining 8 will be appointed in fair and open competition to interdisciplinary and commercially focused projects that emerge from BrisEngBio Sandpits held in Year 1.

The management and governance of BrisEngBio will be as follows: Woolfson (who led BrisSynBio) will lead BrisEngBio. With succession planning in mind, he will be assisted by fellows Marucci and Gorochowski from Engineering Mathematics and Biological Sciences, respectively, as Co-Is. These 3 will be joined on the Management Committee (MC) by Sedgley as BrisEngBio's experienced Scientific Manager. In turn, they will be joined by a lead from each of the 4 Strands and 2 Enablers to form the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC). In addition, the MC, the Innovation Manager and representatives from our industrial partners will form an Innovation Committee (IC) to organise training and translational activities. Oversight will be provided by an independent and international Scientific Advisory Board of eminent scientists and industrialists.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description Key findings will be protcted.
Exploitation Route Outputs from BrisEngBio proof of concept projects are being taken forward by a combination of discovery research development and commercialisation routes.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Environment

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology

 
Description Through BrisEngBio we have supported 12 proof of concept engineeering biology awards, and provided tailored and intensive innovation training to the post doctoral researchers working on these projects. All 12 projects have all been through a light touch market evaluation assessment, and supported in taking on board the findings from this process. 5 of the projects have been selected for further support and development. 1 PDRA has gone on to successfuly complete the UKRI-Science Creates Engineering BIology Accelerator, and has encorporated Neo-Fossil (2023). As of Q1 2024 BrisEngBio we anticipate additional pre-commercial and commercial outputs from this award.
First Year Of Impact 2023
Sector Environment
 
Description DSIT Engineering Biology Consultation
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-vision-for-engineering-biology/national-vision-f...
 
Description Best of the West: HLS Accelerator
Amount £496,443 (GBP)
Funding ID 10076253 
Organisation Innovate UK 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2023 
End 12/2023
 
Description CYanoBacteria Engineering For Restoring Environments (CYBER)
Amount £1,329,722 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/Y007638/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2024 
End 01/2026
 
Description EEBio: Efficient Engineering And Control Of Predictable And Reliable Biosystems
Amount £8,941,000 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/Y014073/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2024 
End 12/2029
 
Description Engineering Biology Centre for Doctoral Training
Amount £8,974,478 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/Y034791/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2024 
End 08/2032
 
Description Haemotoxic and cytotoxic snake venom metalloproteinases - production, enzymatic specificity, snakebite treatment, and biomedical use
Amount £1,304,514 (GBP)
Funding ID BB/Y007581/1 
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2024 
End 01/2026
 
Description Innovative Future Vaccine Manufacturing and Research Hub 2.0
Amount £9,998,374 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/Y530529/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2023 
End 03/2028
 
Description Unlocking Free Fatty Acid Receptor 1 (FFAR1): Allosteric Modulation and Extracellular Ligand Binding for Long COVID Therapies
Amount £220,908 (GBP)
Organisation Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country Global
Start 09/2024 
End 09/2027
 
Description BrisEngBio Oracle for Research 
Organisation Oracle Corporation
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Recognition of the Oracle Cloud computing infrasructure's contributon to accelerating engineering biology research and innovation.
Collaborator Contribution Provision of Oracle Cloud compute and technical expertise.
Impact None yet
Start Year 2022
 
Company Name Neo-Fossil Ltd 
Description  
Year Established 2023 
Impact None yet
 
Description Speaker at Somerscience Festival 2023 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Dek Woolfson spoke to a mixed audience of about 20+ people in Bruton Church on May 1, 2023 as part of the Somerscience Festival. It was a short time to allow lots of time for questions, discussion, and engagement.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://somerscience.co.uk/