Commercial challenges, cutting edge solutions

Industrial biotechnology (IB) harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and bio-based products in numerous industry sectors such as chemicals, food and drink, materials and energy.

The University of Edinburgh has world-class research capabilities in biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, geosciences, informatics, mathematics and physics and works with commercial partners to deliver innovative IB solutions. Together we are:

Conducting cutting-edge research in IB

Creating novel technologies for IB

Applying these technologies commercially in partnership with industry

Enhancing the growth of existing companies and powering the creation of new spin-outs

Delivering advanced multidisciplinary training in IB

For businesses, IB expertise at Edinburgh can provide environmental benefits, promote resource conservation, deliver innovative new products, improve performance and reduce costs. Some examples of our research strengths and its impact are highlighted opposite. Contact us to find out more about our innovative research and how it can benefit your business.

Key areas of research

Production of chemicals from sustainable sources

Alternative feedstocks for high value chemical manufacture e.g. lignocellulose

Mining extremophiles for novel enzymes and biomolecules

Bioremediation

Plants & microorganisms as factories for product synthesis

Biosynthesis of high value plant natural products

Identification of plant cell wall polymers and novel cell wall enzymes

Viral vectors and plant systems for production of proteins and bio-therapeutics

Engineering organisms through synthetic and systems approaches

Computational modelling tools to design biological pathways and circuits

Robust methods for automated assembly of large DNA molecules

Designing and building biosensors for detection of contaminants

Synthetic genomics

Biocatalysis using improved enzymesDr Dominic Campopiano has been working with global pharma Dr Reddy’s Laboratories. Using evolution and selection techniques, he has improved the activity of a key enzyme enabling the company to produce a range of chiral intermediates.

Sustainable materialsProfessor Stephen Fry has been working with SME CelluComp to characterise their biocomposite materials. This has enabled the company to modify their production processes and produce tailor-made material for different applications.

Circular EconomyDr Louise Horsfall is collaborating with Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, to produce copper nanoparticles from distillery waste streams. In addition to environmental benefits, this work will conserve resources and reduce operating costs.

IBioIC Exemplar projectProfessor Gary Loake is working with GSK, in a project funded by IBioIC to develop a sustainable biological process that replaces synthetic chemical routes to esterification. Esterification is a key technology enabling purification of fine chemicals from aqueous environments. This research can lead to cleaner, greener routes to antibiotic production.

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Social, ethical & economic impacts of advanced IB technologies

Responsible research and innovation

Value chain analysis

(Re)Integration of innovation and industrial policy

Stakeholder engagement and public acceptability

For more information contact:

Dr Lorraine KerrCommercial Relations Executive

Phone: +44(0)131 651 9070Mobile: +44(0)7833 444 961

Lorraine.Kerr@ed.ac.uk

Edinburgh Research and Innovation Ltd is the University of Edinburgh’s research and commercialisation office. We engage with and support industry in a variety of ways:

• Technology licensing

• Consultancy

• Collaborative Research

• Studentships

• Strategic alliances

• Access to facilities/services

High throughput screening and analytical tools

On-bead screening platforms for biomolecule identification and characterisation

Dynamic covalent chemistry for generation of unique combinatorial libraries

Novel Mass Spectrometry methods for analysing proteins and biomolecules

Advanced sequencing and bioinformatics

Mining extremophiles Professor Charles Cockell studies microorganisms living in extreme environments. In collaboration with Cleveland Potash Ltd, he has identified microbes involved in soil and coastal erosion that are similar to those found in South African gold mines. Further characterisation of these could lead to the identification of new bacterial methods for mining economically important minerals from increasingly low-grade ores.

Synthetic genome assembly and responsible innovationDr Chris French is engineering novel biological systems using modular ‘parts’ and standardised assembly methods. In collaboration with SME Genabler, they have developed and optimised a large DNA assembly technology. Prof Joyce Tait is providing tailored advice to Genabler regarding current and future projects and developing a corporate culture strategy for responsible innovation.