SynbiCITE 2.0

Synthetic biology is a new and exciting research field that brings together biological scientists and engineers with the aim of developing new ways to build and alter biological systems and cells.

Biological cells can perform a vast array of activities driven by instructions, which are encoded by DNA. This DNA makes up the cells genome, which act as a blueprint for different types of cells and is composed of four complementary chemical building blocks called nucleotides (G, C, A and T) linked together in a sequence. The beauty of DNA is that these building blocks pair up specifically (G-C and A-T) thus the DNA template can be easily copied and replicated. The instructions encoded in DNA are translated specifically into an array of large molecules called proteins which act as the engines of the cell performing all the necessary functions for cells to live divide and grow e.g. the conversion of food sources like sugar into energy. Over the last 20 years advances in our ability to 'read' DNA has rapidly improved so that today DNA can be read rapidly, accurately and inexpensively. The DNA sequences are the basic instruction set for a particular cell to instruct it to produce specific entities, such as proteins. Advances in the chemical synthesis of DNA have resulted in the increasing ability to 'write' DNA. Synthetic Biology/Engineering Biology provides an engineering framework that allows researchers to design and write synthetic DNA tailored to specific applications - such that the synthetic DNA sequences can be placed in cells to perform specific human defined functions. The basic technology, that can be applied across a range of applications, is called platform or foundational technology. Application areas include: health, bioenergy, crops and soil, fine and bulk chemicals, bio remediation, biosensors and biomaterials.

UK centre for the industrial translation of synthetic biology (SynbiCITE) are supported start-ups and SMEs in the field, as well as working on projects with a range of multinational companies. SynbiCITE
provides support in three principal ways: (a) by providing and channelling scientific and technical expertise; (b) acting as a conduit for funding - particularly private sector funding; and (c) providing business education. These are seen as key components in the industrial translation of the science base. The practical implementation of the strategy is via three hubs of activity within SynbiCITE:

- The BioDesign and Applications Hub - supports design, and supports and manages proof of concept and development projects
- The Business and Outreach Hub - supports and manages an Investor Consortium and an industrial club, as well as providing business education and training through a four-day MBA and a business growth accelerator.
- The Facilities Hub - provides facilities and expertise in support of companies, including expertise in data analysis and learning, design automation protocol developments and more general projects and company support.

The U.K.'s National Industrial Translation Centre for Synthetic Biology (SynbiCITE) started in October 2013. At the time, the industrial translation of synthetic biology was at a very early stage. Since then, there have been many reports highlighting the importance of the field to future economic development. Recently, there have been a number of important additional UK documents identifying the economic impact of the field; namely, BioDesign for the Bio Economy, the Industrial Strategy Green Paper and the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy). The SynbiCITE 2.0 Application reflects these and other documents, together with the experience gained in developing SynbiCITE through to the present. A number of important areas have been identified and addressed, based on the following needs: to accelerate industrialisation and commercialisation; to maximise the capability of a responsible innovation pipeline; build an expert workforce; develop a supportive business environment; and build value from national and international partnerships. Whilst a number of these areas have been addressed in SynbiCITE to date, the strategy for SynbiCITE 2.0 is more sharply focused to achieve even greater impact. One reason for this is the creation of six new synthetic biology research centres in the UK since 2013. SynbiCITE 2.0 will support the growth of the UK synthetic biology industry in three principal ways: (a) by providing and channelling scientific and technical expertise; (b) by acting as a conduit for funding - particularly private sector funding; and (c) providing business education.
A key component in for the strategy for SynbiCITE 2.0 is to work closely with three of the SBRCs; namely, those in Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester. Through this partnership, SynbiCITE 2.0 will interact with and impact industry in general and local SMEs, as well as other academic institutions throughout the UK. This will be achieved by extending and refining the work of the three SynbiCITE hubs. Their impact will be as follows:
(a) The BioDesign and Applications Hub - through assisting companies with bio design; the funding of proof of concept and development projects.
(b) The Business and Outreach Hub - through the establishment of an Investor Consortium and an industry club; and through business education and training (including the 4-Day MBA and the Lean LaunchPad/BioStart Programme). Under SynbiCITE 2.0, in addition to running these courses at the SynbiCITE headquarters at Imperial College, the courses to be run regularly in Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester.
(c) The Facilities Hub. The facilities hub, as it stands today, represents a major change both in the way that we undertake synthetic biology and how it is developing internationally. The key difference, compared to even three years ago, is the development of DNA foundries. These are a major additional element in our ability to support companies to achieve greater industrial impact.
More General Engagement
(a) Policy and International Development. In addition to the Government's Leadership Council for Synthetic Biology, the SBLC (Kitney is a member). Freemont and Kitney are both Fellows of the US Engineering Biology Research Consortium (the main US body in engineering biology - comprising all the major universities and companies in the field). The Directors of the SBRCs in Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester have complimentary contacts and networks both nationally and internationally.
(b) Public Engagement. Effective public engagement is essential in synthetic biology and its industrial translation. We will use the outreach providers at Imperial College, Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester - and also the professional public institutes with which we are associated. Members of the Management Team and the Directors of the three partner SBRCs give numerous presentations, both nationally and internationally (e.g. at international conferences, business conferences public lectures and science fairs).