Centre for Industrial Biotechnology
Sustainably harnessing the power of natural processes.
Why industrial biotechnology?
The natural world and societies face unprecedented challenges, especially in areas such as:
- food security
- energy
- materials
- water
- green manufacturing
- chemical building blocks
- emerging threats to health
Many solutions to these challenges are bio-based and harness the power of natural products and processes.
Our work
We bring together expertise, knowledge and facilities, across the University. In the Centre for Industrial Biotechnology, we work in areas including:
- AI
- genome sequencing and synthesis
- cell-free systems
- sustainable development
- industrial enzymes
- precision agriculture
- protein design
- engineering
Partnering with industry
We work with national and international industry partners, large and small including:
- Procter and Gamble
- Astra Zenica
- Prozomix
- Centre for Process Innovation
- DSTL
- Fera Science
- Northumbrian Water
These partnerships link our research to real-life challenges faced by people every day across the globe.
Education and opportunities
We are passionate about training the next generation of industrial biotechnologists. Our MSc and MRes programmes provide inspiration, knowledge, hands-on training and contact with industry partners. Our students leave with skills essential to the world of work.
Our Doctoral training centres provide opportunities to study for a PhD within a supportive collaborative environment. PhD students often get the opportunity to work with industrial partners.
The Designer Biology '25 meeting
We're excited to announce the Designer Biology ’25 meeting, the 5th edition of this event. The meeting is co-organized by the EFB Bioengineering and Bioprocessing Division and the EFB Biobased Materials Division. The conference will take place from 29-31 July 2025 at Newcastle University’s Helix campus.
The meeting brings together young and established scientists working in the fields of:
- bioengineering
- synthetic biology
- biomaterials