What is Engineering Biology?
These advances have already transformed our world. The next revolution promises to do so again. It combines engineering, biology and programming to create tools, processes, products and organisms that are greener, cleaner, more efficient and more effective than ever before.
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. A new generation of software and systems are being built to support such work, within ‘wet-dry’ laboratories that contain both test tubes and computers.
The areas of application for engineering biology are vast, spanning healthcare, agriculture, energy, and various industries. This means engineering biology as an enabling technology is influenced by multiple government policies, strategies, legislations and regulations, and shapes these in turn.
The UK has never been afraid to forge ahead in emerging science but also offers a strong and supportive policy and regulatory landscape for responsible innovation. In 2021, engineering biology was listed by the Government as one of the seven key technology families of UK strength and opportunity.
*This brochure was produced by the UK's Department for International Trade in association with the BioIndustry Association (BIA).
Engineering Biology Advisory Committee (EBAC)
The Engineering Biology Advisory Committee (EBAC) is the voice for companies practising engineering biology in the UK across many sectors and industries, comprising a body of experts to support commercialisation and inform UK policy and regulation. The committee provides expert advice to Government and the BIA, working in close collaboration with other stakeholders.
The aim is to use engineering biology to make a significant contribution towards sustainable growth in the bioeconomy.
EBAC Priorities
- Connect the wider engineering biology community across the UK to support companies in their key challenges, and connect to the IBLF, IBioIC & Microbiome KTN, engineering biology CDTs and UKRI mission hubs.
- Grow the engineering biology membership within the BIA (incl. BIA Deep Biotech group).
- Connect and showcase UK companies internationally at conferences and events.
- Increase BIA’s engineering biology networking and events activity, including a platform to connect & share news.
- Leverage the wider support and resources available within the BIA to create a supportive ecosystem for translation.
- Promote and campaign for engineering biology members’ technologies through case studies and via social media, on a regular basis.
- As a body of experts, provide advice to policymakers and government consultations on relevant areas.
- Engage key government bodies and regulators through the Engineering Biology Regulators Network (EBRN), the Engineering Biology Steering Group, and the Biosecurity Leadership Council (BLC).