UK – The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced a £3 million (US$3.7m) seed corn fund aimed at advancing the development and commercialization of engineering biology innovations.
This funding will help accelerate the journey from discovery to market for breakthroughs in engineering biology that have emerged from the previously established engineering biology mission hubs.
The fund is designed to scale technologies with commercial potential, foster the development of sustainable business models, and facilitate engagement with investors and end-users.
Additionally, it will support market discovery and provide enterprise and entrepreneurship training.
This strategic investment highlights the growing potential of engineering biology to tackle critical global challenges, such as developing plastic-free packaging and creating sustainable fuels.
The University of Portsmouth’s Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI) will receive a share of this funding to support its ongoing work.
The CEI is leading the Preventing Plastic Pollution with Engineering Biology (P3EB) Mission Hub, which is focused on converting end-of-life plastic waste into valuable resources using advanced enzyme technology.
The goal of the P3EB Mission Hub is to revolutionize plastic waste management by adding value to it, thus encouraging its collection and reuse.
This approach aims to significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the natural environment.
Dr. Victoria Bemmer, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Portsmouth, said, “We are thrilled to receive a share of the seed corn funding, which will be used to support activities that stimulate commercial impact from research across the mission hub.
“This includes a series of smaller projects exploring the technical feasibility and market viability of discoveries from the P3EB Mission Hub’s work.
“Additionally, the funding will provide an exciting opportunity to develop training events and workshops in commercialization and innovation for all hub members, from early-career researchers to established academics.”
Professor Andy Pickford, Director of the P3EB Mission Hub and Lead Principal Investigator at CEI, commented, “This seed corn funding will support early-stage innovation, enabling researchers to deliver environmental and societal impacts from their transformative biotechnological solutions. It will also help drive the transition towards a circular plastics economy.”
Last year, UKRI invested £6 million in funding to support five new three-year projects promoting a sustainable plastics system.
These projects aim to reduce the significant environmental impact of plastics, extend their useful lifespan, and enhance their value.
Out of the total funding, approximately £5 million will be delivered by UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and £1 million by its Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
Be the first to leave a comment