Exploring Synthetic and Systems Biology at the University of Edinburgh

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 692-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Fletcher ◽  
Susan Rosser ◽  
Alistair Elfick
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Systems Biology ◽  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Common Interest ◽  
Industrial Biotechnology ◽  
Physical Sciences ◽  
University Of Edinburgh ◽  
The University ◽  
Research Councils

The Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology ('SynthSys') was originally established in 2007 as the Centre for Integrative Systems Biology, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Today, SynthSys embraces an extensive multidisciplinary community of more than 200 researchers from across the University with a common interest in synthetic and systems biology. Our research is broad and deep, addressing a diversity of scientific questions, with wide ranging impact. We bring together the power of synthetic biology and systems approaches to focus on three core thematic areas: industrial biotechnology, agriculture and the environment, and medicine and healthcare. In October 2015, we opened a newly refurbished building as a physical hub for our new U.K. Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology funded by the BBSRC/EPSRC/MRC as part of the U.K. Research Councils' Synthetic Biology for Growth programme.

scholarly journals Developing a graduate training program in Synthetic Biology: SynBioCDT

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Idil Cazimoglu ◽  
Alexander P S Darlington ◽  
Aurelija Grigonyte ◽  
Charlotte E G Hoskin ◽  
Juntai Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Career Development ◽  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Graduate Training ◽  
Physical Sciences ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Post Graduate Training ◽  
Graduate Training Program ◽  
Research Councils

Abstract This article presents the experience of a team of students and academics in developing a post-graduate training program in the new field of Synthetic Biology. Our Centre for Doctoral Training in Synthetic Biology (SynBioCDT) is an initiative funded by the United Kingdom’s Research Councils of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPSRC), and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences (BBSRC). SynBioCDT is a collaboration between the Universities of Oxford, Bristol and Warwick, and has been successfully running since 2014, training 78 students in this field. In this work, we discuss the organization of the taught, research and career development training. We also address the challenges faced when offering an interdisciplinary program. The article concludes with future directions to continue the development of the SynBioCDT.

scholarly journals BrisSynBio: a BBSRC/EPSRC-funded Synthetic Biology Research Centre

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 689-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen R. Sedgley ◽  
Paul R. Race ◽  
Derek N. Woolfson
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Physical Sciences ◽  
Research Framework ◽  
Responsible Research ◽  
Biology Research

BrisSynBio is the Bristol-based Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)/Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)-funded Synthetic Biology Research Centre. It is one of six such Centres in the U.K. BrisSynBio's emphasis is on rational and predictive bimolecular modelling, design and engineering in the context of synthetic biology. It trains the next generation of synthetic biologists in these approaches, to facilitate translation of fundamental synthetic biology research to industry and the clinic, and to do this within an innovative and responsible research framework.

scholarly journals SBRC-Nottingham: sustainable routes to platform chemicals from C1 waste gases

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 684-686
Author(s):  
Alan Burbidge ◽  
Nigel P. Minton
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Cupriavidus Necator ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Physical Sciences ◽  
Platform Chemicals ◽  
Biology Research ◽  
Made In

Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC)-Nottingham (www.sbrc-nottingham.ac.uk) was one of the first three U.K. university-based SBRCs to be funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the recommendations made in the U.K.'s Synthetic Biology Roadmap. It was established in 2014 and builds on the pioneering work of the Clostridia Research Group (CRG) who have previously developed a range of gene tools for the modification of clostridial genomes. The SBRC is primarily focussed on the conversion of single carbon waste gases into platform chemicals with a particular emphasis on the use of the aerobic chassis Cupriavidus necator.

Biochemical contacts and collaborations between China and the U.K. since 1911

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 1313-1322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy G. Dodson
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Royal Society ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Physical Sciences ◽  
Joint Activities ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
And Function ◽  
Research Councils

Scientific contact lies at the heart of research and that between China and the U.K. is an important example of how it can come about. In 1911, when the Biochemical Society began, U.K. science was developing fast with profound discoveries in physics (the Rutherford atomic model) and biochemistry (the discovery of vitamins). In China, however, there was great social and political instability and a revolution. Since then, the turbulence of two world wars and a variety of deep global political tensions meant that the contacts between China and U.K. did not reflect the prodigious growth of biochemistry. There was, however, one particular and remarkable contact, that made by Joseph Needham, an outstanding biochemist. He visited China between 1943 and 1946, contacting many Chinese universities that were severely dislocated by war. Showing remarkable diplomatic abilities, Needham managed to arrange delivery of research and teaching equipment. His activities helped the universities to carry out their functions under near-impossible conditions and reminded them that they had friends abroad. Most remarkably, Joseph Needham developed an extraordinary grasp of Chinese culture, science and history and he opened the West to the extent and importance of Chinese science. Formal scientific and intellectual contacts between the scientific academic bodies in China and U.K., notably the Chinese Academy of Science and the Royal Society, resumed after British recognition of the Chinese Communist government in 1950. The delegations included outstanding scientists in biochemistry and related disciplines. Research activities, such as that concerning influenza, were soon established, whereas institutions, such as the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust, acted a little later to support research. The outcomes have been long-term collaborations in such areas as insulin structure and function. There are now numerous joint activities in biochemistry and biomedicine supported by the MRC (Medical Research Council), BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council), NERC (Natural Environment Research Council), EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) and UKRC (UK Research Councils). The present contacts and the associated research are very considerable and growing. It is clear that biochemistry in both countries has much to offer each other, and there is every reason to believe that these contacts will continue to expand in the future.

scholarly journals Professional Internships for PhD Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-45
Author(s):  
Christopher Penny
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Academic Work ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Tenure Track ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Tenure Track Faculty ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Research Councils

According to NIH statistics, only 8% of people that begin a biology PhD in the USA become tenure-track faculty members. Anecdotally, this number can vary between 1 and 10%, depending on the institution and field. For those young scientists who want a career within academia, these statistics can be both daunting and depressing. For those who can't wait to leave, or for those who choose to leave with perhaps less enthusiasm, there is a world of opportunities in a diverse range of sectors. However, many non-academic jobs require experience or skills that are difficult to obtain or apply while studying for a PhD. Recently, the research councils within the UK, and in particular the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), have made some large investments to provide PhD students with additional skills and experience beyond their academic work.

Implications of the use of GNSS and WGS84 for Marine Navigation

2000 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-423
Author(s):  
Terry Moore ◽  
Mark Dumville ◽  
Wu Chen
Keyword(s):  
Financial Support ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Physical Sciences ◽  
Collaborative Project ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Marine Navigation

For the last two years a large collaborative project has been taking place at the University of Nottingham to investigate novel strategies for the implementation of GNSS within all phases of marine navigation in UK waters. The project, which was recently completed, was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The project also received financial support from a prestigious team of collaborators that included the UK Ministry of Defence Hydrographic Office, Trinity House Lighthouse Service, Northern Lighthouse Board, Commissioners for Irish Lights and the Port of London Authority. The first phase of this project was reported in the Journal in May 1999 (Ashkenazi et al., 1999); this paper presents an update of the progress of the project over the last year.

scholarly journals The way forward?: The growth of systems biology

2007 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 24-26
Author(s):  
Clare Sansom
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Systems Biology ◽  
Computer Analysis ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Biological Problem ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Way

Systems biology is certainly fashionable. In the UK, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has put forward the majority of an investment of well over £70 million to set up six university-based ‘centres of integrative systems biology’. Other countries are making similar investments. A few years ago, however, as with ‘bioinformatics’ a decade or so earlier, it seemed that there were almost as many definitions of systems biology as there were practitioners. It is not too much of an exaggeration to say that almost any computer analysis of a biological problem might have been badged in that way.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document