Accelerating innovation using Engineering Biology
We’re using engineering biology to tackle global challenges
CPI’s state-of-the-art facilities and expertise can support engineering biology projects across a broad range of industries, including agriculture and food technology, chemicals and materials manufacturing, energy, health technology and pharmaceuticals.
The importance of this rapidly evolving field was underlined by the 2023 UK Government’s strategic national vision for engineering biology, which highlighted CPI as the UK’s flagship facility that can help innovators develop, scale and commercialise their engineering biology products and processes.
Engineering biology opportunities
Engineering biology applies the principles of engineering to biological systems, helping to develop bio-based solutions for both existing and new products and processes with greater speed, efficiency and sustainability. This approach can be used across multiple areas to help address some of the most complex health, food security, supply chain and climate challenges complex health and environmental challenges we face.
Our knowledge of RNA can be harnessed to create vaccines that can be updated rapidly as viruses mutate. Bacteria, yeast, and fungi can become living cell factories, designed and built to make new proteins for a range of uses, including medicines, food ingredients, and a range of sustainable chemicals and materials.
We can develop new fertilisers and pesticides using biological processes, convert CO2 or methane into protein for animal feed and foods using bioreactors to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture whilst sustainably feeding a growing global population.
There is no limit to the applications of engineering biology.
Our engineering biology capabilities
To ensure the best outcome for new engineering biology products, we follow the design-build-test-learn (DBTL) principles of interactive and iterative improvement. We optimise these processes by applying digital systems and technologies that inform the next cycle and cut the costs of wet lab experimentation.
The expertise and specialist equipment we can provide for engineering biology projects include
-
Strain and bioprocess development and optimisation
-
Modelling and simulation
-
Process engineering design
-
Bioreactor design
-
Downstream processing
-
Formulation
-
Product validation
-
Pilot and demonstration scale production facilities
-
Commercial application testing and verification
Our pilot and demonstration-scale facilities range from 1 millilitre to 10,000 litres and include state-of-the-art gas fermentation capabilities that can work with hydrogen and C1 gases, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane. Gas fermentation provides routes to sustainable production of proteins, as well as sustainable key intermediates for the plastic and petrochemical industries.
Design, build and test your engineering biology solutions at CPI so you can optimise, scale up and de-risk your projects ready for manufacturing.
Our track record of innovation
Our deep expertise in engineering biology includes design and process optimisation and validation for scale-up and providing key downstream steps and product formulation for multiple project partners, ranging from start-ups and SMEs to larger corporates and academic institutions.
CPI and the University of Oxford partner to deliver sustainable catalysts to the fine chemicals industry
Innovation insights
Read what our experts have to say about engineering biology.
How CPI is using engineering biology to help the UK tackle global challenges. Advanced medicines, sustainable food production and manufacturing are all made possible through engineering biology. How is CPI harnessing its potential?
For more information
Let’s innovate together
To find out more about how we can work together, please enter your details below.