The University of Sheffield is one of eight universities to have been awarded funding to build multidisciplinary capacity in the emerging field of synthetic biology.
With the funds, awarded by by the The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and three other UK Research Councils, the University will help develop the tools and language required for synthetic biology research to position the UK as a
n international leader in the field.
Synthetic biology is a new emerging field of science which applies engineering principles to biology. The main concept behind synthetic biology is to design and construct new parts and devices, using biological knowledge, to make new biological systems with features not found in nature. The area also looks at re-designing or re-engineering existing biological systems for more useful purposes.
Research into this field is anticipated to yield significant advances in tissue engineering, stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine, as well as the creation of systems to generate power and new approaches to cleaning up dangerous waste.
The Sheffield research network will look at the production of cellular glue as an exemplar of the emerging scientific, ethical, legal and social questions in the field of synthetic biology, bringing together an interdisciplinary team of international researchers from engineering, life sciences, ethics, law, sociology and biosecurity.
Professor Phillip Wright, from the University's Department of Chemical and Process Engineering and one of the researchers involved in the synthetic biology network, said:
"The network of researchers will contribute to new technologies derived from breakthroughs in the field, from areas as diverse as developing cheap anti-malarial drugs for 3rd world countries to non-greenhouse producing biofuels such as hydrogen."
Ian Pearson, Minister for Science and Innovation, said:
"Synthetic biology is an exciting new, currently evolving field at the interface of bioscience and engineering. The design and construction of new biological parts, devices and systems and the re-design of existing natural biological systems for useful purposes has many potential applications in medicine, bio-energy and novel materials.
"By developing this emerging science, the UK will continue to keep its leading edge and increase its international competitiveness for the future. This initiative is aimed at raising UK profile and capability in this area to put the country at the forefront of the field."
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