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.
Nucleic Acids Innovation Network
Over £900,000 in funding has been secured to fund a new Nucleic Acids Innovation Network led by academics from the University of Portsmouth, together with colleagues from the University of Edinburgh, Newcastle University, the University of Sheffield, University of Strathclyde, and University of York
Currently, scientists working on new technologies and methods maximising the power of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA are often working in isolation or small, disparate groups. But now, a wide-ranging co-operative network is being created with a £650,000 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) grant and further funding support of £267,000 from industry partners.
This new UK-wide network will bring together researchers working on some of the most exciting and fast-moving areas of DNA and RNA science to establish a nationwide cross-disciplinary community of scientists, engineers and innovators who will work together to solve problems, develop new applications and meet emerging needs in society. By working collectively in this way, the network aims to speed up innovation and get new DNA and RNA-based ideas out of the laboratory and into real-world use. That could mean faster treatments, more sustainable technology, and better tools to tackle global challenges.
Whether it is more effective medicines and treatments, smarter ways to grow food, clever measures to clean up the environment, or the development of higher performance computers, academics agree that so much more could be achieved more quickly by bringing together multiple scientific disciplines such as chemical biology, molecular biology and biophysics, bioengineering, and computational biology.
Anastasia Callaghan, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at the University of Portsmouth, said: “For some considerable time, we have recognised that there is a clear need to create a proactive network that fosters collaboration across isolated areas of research if we are to truly and effectively unlock innovation. Despite the UK’s strong leadership in nucleic acid research, significant barriers to cross-disciplinary collaboration exist. There are no current professional bodies, societies or networks regularly bringing disciplines working on nucleic acids together.
Dr Thomas Howard, from Newcastle University’s School of Natural and Environmental Sciences said ‘We are committed to building a truly collaborative culture”, said “This network offers an exciting opportunity to connect disciplines, share expertise, and create an inclusive space where ideas can flourish. By working together across traditional boundaries, we can accelerate innovation and ensure that knowledge and skills are shared widely for the benefit of all. We are especially keen to contribute to a network that prioritises openness, training, and knowledge exchange—creating opportunities for early-career researchers and students to engage with experts from multiple fields. This is about building capacity as much as delivering innovation.’
Scientists, engineers and academics who are keen to find out more and register their interest in being a member of the Nucleic Acids Innovation Network can do so via the Innovation Across Nucleic Acids UK Linkedin page.