Engineering biology

14 January 2025 09:30 - 17:00 Online Free Watch online
Register now
Engineering biology

Exploring what is needed to realise the full potential of the UK's engineering biology sector.

Engineering biology refers to the use of specialist tools and technologies to produce biology-derived processes and products, which are often more sustainably produced than their existing counterparts. Engineering biology is one of five critical technologies identified by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) as areas where the UK is in an excellent position to lead the world. 

However, as this field continues to rapidly advance, it is vital that we are able to translate and apply ground-breaking research into commercial settings through innovation that is trustworthy and responsible.

This conference will explore the translation journey of new technology from the laboratory to the market, how responsible innovation can be facilitated, what is needed to improve UK infrastructure as well as what funding mechanisms could be employed to realise the full potential of these innovations.

Transforming our future conferences

This conference forms part of the Royal Society's industry-focused Transforming our future series. These unique meetings feature cutting-edge science and bring together experts from industry, academia and government to explore and address key scientific and technical challenges of the coming decade.

Organisers

  • Dr Damian Kelly

    Dr Damian Kelly

    Damian holds a BSc in Chemistry, MSc in Surface Science & Catalysis and a PhD in Tribology from the University of Cambridge. Upon graduation Damian joined the Croda Graduate Development Programme in 2001. Over the past 16 years Damian has held several positions across different Croda markets, divisions and functions including Personal Care Sales Manager for Latin America, Performance Technologies Business Development Manager for North America and Life Sciences Vice President for Europe with both Technical and Commercial responsibility. Damian is presently Head of Global Research & Development for all Croda sectors, based at Croda’s manufacturing site in Widnes, Cheshire. Damian is also the technical lead for Croda’s Technology Investment Group which is responsible for the acquisition and licensing of new technologies that match the needs of all Croda’s end markets.

  • Professor Anne Osbourn

    Professor Anne Osbourn

  • Dr David Tew

    Dr David Tew

Schedule

09:30-09:40 Welcome and opening remarks
Sir David Baulcombe

Sir David Baulcombe

Cambridge University

Professor Martin Dawson FRS

Professor Martin Dawson FRS

University of Strathclyde

09:40-10:05 Opening keynote

In terrestrial life, DNA is copied to messenger RNA, and the 64 triplet codons in messenger RNAs are decoded – in the process of translation – to synthesize proteins. Cellular protein translation provides the ultimate paradigm for the synthesis of long polymers of defined sequence and composition, but is commonly limited to polymerizing the 20 canonical amino acids. I will describe our progress towards the encoded synthesis of non-canonical biopolymers. These advances may form a basis for new classes of genetically encoded polymeric materials and medicines. To realize our goals we are re-imagining some of the most conserved features of the cell; we have created new ribosomes, new aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pairs, and organisms with entirely synthetic genomes in which we have re-written the genetic code.

Professor Jason Chin

Professor Jason Chin

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Chair

Dr David Tew

Dr David Tew

GSK

10:05-10:10 Introduction to Session 1
Dr David Tew

Dr David Tew

GSK

10:10-10:25 Early discovery research
Dr Nicola Patron

Dr Nicola Patron

University of Cambridge

10:25-10:40 Spinout story
Christopher Hunter

Christopher Hunter

Colorifix

10:40-10:55 The role of IP in real-world impact
Dr Sara Holland

Dr Sara Holland

Potter Clarkson LLP

10:55-11:05 Q&A

Chair

Professor Anne Osbourn

Professor Anne Osbourn

John Innes Centre

11:35-11:40 Introduction to Session 2
Professor Anne Osbourn

Professor Anne Osbourn

John Innes Centre

11:40-11:55 SAW Trust
Dr Jenni Rant

Dr Jenni Rant

SAW Trust / John Innes Centre

11:55-12:10 Creating responsible innovation
Professor Joyce Tait

Professor Joyce Tait

University of Edinburgh

12:10-12:25 Ethics and governance of innovation
Professor Sarah Cunningham-Burley

Professor Sarah Cunningham-Burley

Nuffield Council on Bioethics & University of Edinburgh

12:25-12:35 Q&A

Chair

Dr Damian Kelly

Dr Damian Kelly

Croda

13:35-13:40 Introduction to Session 3
Dr Damian Kelly

Dr Damian Kelly

Croda

13:40-13:55 Industrialising biology for chemicals biomanufacturing
Professor Nigel S. Scrutton

Professor Nigel S. Scrutton

University of Manchester

13:55-14:10 Perspective from startup
Zoe Woods

Zoe Woods

Change Bio

14:10-14:25 Perspective from the health industry
Ted Chapman

Ted Chapman

Retired, Previously Director Biotechnology Development GSK

14:25-14:40 Perspective from the agriculture industry
Dr Robert Harris

Dr Robert Harris

Syngenta

14:40-14:55 Q&A

Chair

Dr Christopher Kaminker

Dr Christopher Kaminker

BlackRock Investment Institute (BII)

15:25-15:35 Introduction to panel
Dr Christopher Kaminker

Dr Christopher Kaminker

BlackRock Investment Institute (BII)

15:35-16:35 Panellists
Professor Paul Freemont

Professor Paul Freemont

Imperial College London

Dr Jason Mellad

Dr Jason Mellad

Start Codon

Dr Mark Renshaw

Dr Mark Renshaw

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Dr Fabrizio Ticchiarelli-Marjot

Dr Fabrizio Ticchiarelli-Marjot

ARIA

Dr Rowan McKibbin

Dr Rowan McKibbin

BBSRC

16:35-16:45 Reflections
Professor Dame Angela McLean

Professor Dame Angela McLean

University of Oxford

16:45-16:50 Closing remarks
Dr Damian Kelly

Dr Damian Kelly

Croda