Synthetic & engineering biology: a joint opportunity for the UK and Switzerland
The Synthetic & Engineering Biology British-Swiss Summit, held in May 2024 and formally opened by H.E. Markus Leitner, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United Kingdom, brought together over 25 representatives from academia, industry, and government bodies from the UK and Switzerland.
Through roundtable discussions, the summit aimed to explore challenges and solutions affecting the development and uptake of synthetic & engineering biology technologies for climate and the environment, with a focus on scaling synthetic & engineering biology for environmental sustainability, and enhancing public awareness and acceptance of these technologies.
The event was part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the UK and Switzerland in “deep science” and “deep tech,” as per the Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2022. Scaling synthetic & engineering biology to address climate change and environmental sustainability faces significant barriers such as high costs, regulatory challenges, and limited biomanufacturing capacity. Discussions emphasised the need for efficient, low-cost systems to mainstream these technologies.
Scaling up is essential but expensive, and significant investment and skilled personnel are required to develop new biomanufacturing processes and facilities.
A predictable regulatory environment is crucial for the success of synthetic & engineering biology, but current regulations often lag behind technological advancements, creating barriers for new products.
Developing a skilled workforce is essential to support the growth of synthetic & engineering biology industries, and collaborations between educational institutions and industry need to be encouraged to align training with market needs.
The summit identified a gap in public awareness and the need for better engagement strategies. Public perception and acceptance of synthetic & engineering biology are critical for its successful deployment, and there is a necessity for ongoing education and effective communication strategies to demystify synthetic & engineering biology and its benefits.
Given the climate crisis, there is an urgent need to accelerate the commercialisation of synthetic & engineering biology technologies at sufficiently large scale, as traditional sectoral evolution will not meet this urgency.
The summit underscored the importance of international collaboration and the need for innovative approaches to scale synthetic & engineering biology technologies, enhance public engagement, and develop supportive regulatory and training frameworks.
