Critical technologies

The 21st century is proving to be one of the most exciting and prolific periods of innovation in biosciences and healthcare. Advances across biology, technology, engineering and data science are converging to help create new, potentially life-changing solutions for individuals and societies across the globe.

BIA has identified areas of strategic importance in this new and exciting age of science. Choose an area to learn more, read case studies and see how R&D is already making an impact on people's lives.

UK biotech companies are at the forefront of these innovative, converging disciplines. These companies are a key part of our membership. As the trade association for innovative life science companies in the UK, we provide a home for these groups through our Advisory Committees, working groups and networks.

Deep Biotech

The BIA has coined a new term ‘Deep Biotech’ to describe the application of modern biotechnologies to humanity's most profound challenges beyond health, including climate change, pollution and food security.

Engineering Biology

Engineering biology (also called ‘synthetic biology’), is industrialising DNA sequencing, manufacture and editing, making all of it cheaper and more accessible – rather like Microsoft Word did for text-editing.

TechBio

Biotech companies are using cutting-edge techniques from data-driven tech to transform drug discovery and patient care. We call this interface of biology and technology “techbio".

Genomics

The sequencing of the Human Genome at the start of the 21st century uncovered the series of letters – chemical codes – that make up our genetic material. That was an important step. But learning how to interpret and, in some cases modify, that genetic code is even more significant.

mRNA

mRNA is a molecule that carries instructions from DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are made. Proteins are the building blocks of life and are responsible for a wide range of functions, including cell structure, metabolism, and signalling.