Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex BioSystems
We carry out ground-breaking research at the interface of computing science and complex biological systems.
Interdisciplinary expertise
The Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex BioSystems (ICOS) research group is the premier computational biology group within Newcastle University’s Computer Science department. We are the only group with both microbiology and nanotechnology wet labs and an intelligent biofoundry.
Our mission is to carry out ground-breaking research at the interface of computing science and complex biological systems. We create the next generation of algorithms which provide innovative solutions to problems arising in natural complex systems (such as biology, chemistry and physics) as well as synthetic systems (such as biological or software engineering and healthcare).
ICOS acts as an interdisciplinary collaboration hub. Our Portabolomics Programme Grant involves six different groups and the three faculties in Newcastle University.
In addition to state-of-the-art synthetic biology, our members conduct internationally leading research on neuroinformatics, bioinformatics and connectomics. We are part of a global network of leading collaboration institutions. These include universities, companies and research laboratories, such as:
- BBN-Raytheon
- Boston University
- Utah University
- Kobe University
- NUS
- Procter & Gamble
- Prozomix
- GSK
- CERN
- ECLT
- Weizmann Institute
- Tel Aviv University
- Granada University
- Centro Nacional de Biotechnologia
- SRC
- Huawei
- Sixfold Bio
- Nanovery
- CPI
- PROIMI
The excellence of the ICOS environment has helped to generate outputs in high quality and highly interdisciplinary areas that range from:
- stem cells and tissue engineering
- computer-driven neurological interventions
- synthetic biology biotechnology
- bio-medical informatics
- DNA/RNA nanotechnology
Translational activity and the establishment of spinouts has also been a strong point of ICOS activity.
For example, the establishment of a software-as-a-service venture, Workli, which enables seamless teamwork via user-friendly collaboration pipelines and professional deep-work coaching.
There is also an established successful collaboration with Prozomix Ltd. to develop metagenome mining software helping to facilitate dramatic growth of the company.
The Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL) standard has established an industrial consortium with ten company members internationally.
Because of this, ICOS's RAs and PhD students have participated in incubator and accelerator programmes such as:
- ICURE
- SETsquared
- Health Innovation
- Entrepreneur First
Several RAs have also started their own companies in nano-biotech, making digital pathology available in developing countries, and AI for the creative industries.
The ICOS 5-year strategic goal is to further cement a worldwide technological lead in computer-aided biology and computer-aided nanotechnology.
A key objective is further investing in our automation facilities. By combining our strengths in automation and computational intelligence and reasoning, we plan to position ICOS as an international strength in bioengineering automation.
A second key objective is to build on the successful applied and impactful activities of the REF2021 period, accelerating translational and spinout activity to exploit the science produced by the group. We’re building on this experience and, with the help of Newcastle University’s business development unit, converting internationally leading research outputs into commercial opportunities.
