果冻影院

The Engineering Biology Mission Hubs and Awards, announced by the UKRI as a 拢100m investment, aim to harness cutting-edge engineering biology research from across the UK to address global challenges from health to the environment.

The six hubs, two of which feature 果冻影院 academics, will receive up to 拢12 million each from the UKRI Technology Missions Fund and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). 听

Mission Hub: Preventing plastic pollution with engineering biology 听

This Mission Hub aims to tackle the urgent environmental challenge of plastic pollution and create new ways for听the sustainable deconstruction of synthetic plastics as the UK transitions towards a circular plastics economy.听

The hub will be led by Professor Andrew Pickford (University of Portsmouth), with support from scientists from seven leading UK institutions, including听果冻影院 co-investigators: Professor Helen Hailes (果冻影院 Chemistry), Dr Jack Jeffries听(果冻影院 Biochemical Engineering), Professor Mark Miodownik (果冻影院 Mechanical Engineering), Professor Paola Lettieri (果冻影院 Chemical Engineering), Dr Andrea Paulillo (果冻影院 Chemical Engineering), Dr Brooks Paige (果冻影院 Centre for Artificial Intelligence), Professor Christine Orengo (果冻影院 Biosciences).听 听

Over the next five years, the Mission Hub will develop impactful engineering biology platforms that will enhance the performance of enzymes and microbes for the deconstruction of a wide range of plastics. 听

Building on previous research from the the project will also develop innovative and environmentally friendly ways to create high-value products from waste.听

Mission Hub: Engineering biology hub for environmental processing and recovery of metals; from contaminated land to industrial biotechnology in a circular economy (The ELEMENTAL project)听听

This mission hub aims to address the growing need for critical minerals, such as cobalt, lithium and indium, in clean energy technologies and to promote a circular economy whereby these earth elements can be recycled.听 听听

The hub will be led by Professor Martin Warren (University of Kent), with support from academics including Dr Brenda Parker (果冻影院听Biochemical Engineering), Professor Julia Stegemann (果冻影院 Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering)听and Professor Joanne Santini (果冻影院 Biosciences). 听

The cross-institutional ELEMENTAL project aims to establish an open knowledge hub that will collaborate with ongoing projects related to mineral extraction, urban mining, industrial waste, and nuclear waste by leveraging engineering biology tools and approaches.听 听

The project will also explore the potential of phytomining, where certain plants naturally accumulate metals and rare earth elements from the soil.听 听

Alongside the hubs, a series of Mission Awards will fund projects for two years and receive a share of 拢30 million in funding.听 听

Mission Award: A powerful directed evolution tool for exploitation of chloropast engineering biology.听听

Professor Saul Purton (果冻影院 Biosciences) will lead this Mission Award that will explore the exploitation of chloroplasts 鈥� the energy-producing sites of photosynthesis in plant and algae cells 鈥� in engineering biology research supporting clean growth. 听

Professor听Geraint Rees听(果冻影院听Vice-Provost, Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) said:

鈥�鈥淐ross-disciplinary collaboration is vital to addressing the global challenges we face and the Engineering Biology projects show the impact science can have when听academic and industrial partners come together. I would like to offer my congratulations to the exemplary 果冻影院 researchers who have received funding, and look forward to seeing the results of their innovative research.鈥澨�

Dr Kedar Pandya, UKRI听Executive Director, Cross-Council Programmes at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council听said:

鈥� 鈥溾�淓ngineering Biology is one of the critical technologies for the UK strength and opportunity identified in the Innovation Strategy.听It has the potential to change many aspects of our lives, from how we grow our food, to developing new medical treatments, and on through to clean growth that will develop more environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes and supply chains, as well improved diagnosis of, and cures for, environmental issues.鈥澨�

Links

• Professor Paola Lettieri's academic profile
• Professor Christine Orengo's academic profile
• Dr Andrea Paulillo's academic profile
• 果冻影院 Faculty of Engineering Sciences
• 果冻影院 Faculty of Life Sciences
• 果冻影院 Faculty of Mathematical & Physical Sciences

Media contact

Sophie Hunter

E: sophie.hunter@ucl.ac.uk