Further information The UK-Japan collaborations Engineering biology for discovery research and cross-cutting technologies In this bilateral partnership, BBSRC and JST are addressing pioneering questions that push the boundaries of engineering biology by investing in five new research projects. Each project is supported by up to £1 million funding over three years, matched with a total commitment from JST of 1.17 billion Japanese yen (JPY). The projects aim to revolutionise industries such as healthcare, biomanufacturing and agriculture. The five projects receiving funding are: Data-driven multiscale engineering of cell fate decisions Led by Professors Richard Bayliss (University of Leeds) and Mariko Okada…
Author: UKRI
The highlighted projects cover the full spectrum of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) activities, from arts and humanities to engineering and astrophysics, from universities and businesses of all sizes, across the UK and beyond. They demonstrate the power of research and innovation to improve lives and livelihoods and to capture the public imagination. UKRI Chief Executive Ottoline Leyser said: These twelve examples show the power of UKRI’s investment to improve lives and livelihoods across the UK and beyond. From the world’s first malaria vaccination programme, to discovering long-lost shipwrecks and detecting deadly cancers in less invasive ways, they show how…
To reach government net zero ambitions by 2050 and clean power by 2030 we need to increase the pace of Great Britain’s energy network decarbonisation. These nine round four discovery projects are taking the first steps on their journey to accelerate the delivery of net zero energy networks. Grid transition The shift towards more renewable generation and low carbon technologies is driving connection applications. As these already large queues grow further, the need for efficient solutions becomes critical. FastTrack will provide an artificial intelligence (AI) solution that aims to simulate the impact of small and large-scale connection requests. This will…
The new Medical Research Council Centres of Research Excellence (MRC CoRE) will receive up to £50 million each over 14 years. The centres will build on the huge progress made in genomics, allowing the genetic basis of many diseases and processes to be identified. Advances in genome editing and other gene therapies have also made it possible to develop treatments for previously incurable conditions. The centres will take different approaches to translating the advances in genomics into therapies to treat many diseases, such as: heart disease neurodegenerative conditions like Huntington’s disease genetic causes of blindness many rare genetic diseases that…
The report draws on the Innovation State of the Nation Survey, a major new initiative from Innovate UK. The survey aims to provide the most up-to-date and comprehensive look at what life is really like for innovating businesses on an annual basis. Drawing on data provided from over 2,000 UK businesses, the new State of Innovation 2024 report provides a detailed and timely view of businesses’ innovation activities, their: priorities challenges plans for the year ahead Headline results Innovation is a strong driver of growth Despite the recent economic challenges, innovation continues to be a strong driver of growth. Businesses…
Until recently, human vaccine development has typically taken 10 to 15 years. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines like the Vaxzevria vaccine produced by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca were developed and licensed within a single year. This remarkable achievement was made possible through: the sharing of pre-existing knowledge platform delivery technologies active, positive collaboration between researchers and regulators Rapid human vaccine development map The process map includes a rapid human vaccine development (RHVD) case study created using the COVID-19 vaccine as an exemplar. It will build on this experience and use the lessons learned to: help researchers boost…
The network’s first scanner to become operational was officially unveiled at St Thomas’ Hospital by Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, and Health Secretary, Wes Streeting. Another machine will be installed in Scotland in the coming months. These next-generation scanners are more sensitive and faster than existing machines. They will also feed UK-wide data into the new National PET Imaging Platform (NPIP) to improve diagnosis and aid researchers’ understanding of diseases to support the development of new medicines. Pioneering research Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning is a non-invasive imaging technique that can detect diseases earlier, saving lives. These whole-body scanners…
Engineering biology has the potential to solve some of our biggest global challenges, from developing new vaccines and therapies, to plastic-free packaging and sustainable fuels for transport. Two new investments through the UKRI Technology Missions Fund that will help to solve these challenges and drive economic growth in the UK’s engineering biology sector were announced today by UKRI. Proof of concept A £3 million proof of concept programme aims to create new collaborations between academics and industry working in engineering biology. The programme will be delivered through the SynbiCITE Innovation and Knowledge Centre based at Imperial College London’s White City…
The UK’s efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 have been significantly boosted thanks to a £14.5 million investment by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and government partners. This latest funding marks phase two of the Transforming Land Use for Net Zero, Nature and People programme (LUNZ). It supports five ambitious research projects that aim to revolutionise agricultural practices, land use change and soil health in the pursuit of a more sustainable future. The LUNZ research projects The five projects receiving funding are: The ‘to zero fifty’ greenhouse gas accounting living lab Led by Professor Julie Ingram at the…
This initiative aims to strengthen ties between the UK and Canadian food sectors, fostering innovation as both countries intensify efforts toward achieving net zero and creating more sustainable food supply chains. A key focus of the partnership between Innovate UK and PIC is driving innovation in the plant-based protein sector. Overcoming global challenges As the world’s population grows, integrating alternative protein sources alongside traditional agriculture is crucial in addressing global challenges like food security, sustainability and public health. Plant-based proteins provide a promising solution. As well as supporting products that offer a more sustainable and resilient approach, they typically have…