Edinburgh Genome FoundryA BBSRC-funded, fully automated platform to design and assemble DNA up to chromosome length.

www.genomefoundry.org

Edinburgh GenomicsA range of high-throughput gene sequencing technologies supported by bioinformatics expertise.

https://genomics.ed.ac.uk

Phenotyping FacilitiesSpecialist resources for measuring multiple parameters of cell physiology including proteomics, metabolomics and fluxomics.

www.synthsys.ed.ac.uk

Plant Science FacilitiesOffers tissue culture, biological containment, controlled growth environments and plant stem cell cultures.

Innogen InstituteResearch and consultancy around the ethical, legal and social implications of emerging technologies including synthetic biology.

http://innogen.org.uk

UK Biochar Research CentreProvides advice and expertise on biochar production and its application in resource management and sustainable energy.

www.biochar.ac.uk

Centre for Science at Extreme ConditionsGenerates and exploits new ideas and discoveries in the field of extreme conditions science including novel actives and enzymes from extremophiles.

www.csec.ed.ac.uk/csec

This publication can be made available in alternative formats on request. The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.Photography by Peter Tuffy Photography and Paul Dodds www.pauldodds.com

Designed by Graphic Design Services, LTW, ISG, The University of Edinburgh www.ed.ac.uk/is/graphic-design

For more information contact:

Dr Lorraine KerrCommercial Relations Executive

Phone: +44(0)131 651 9070Mobile: +44(0)7833 444 961

Lorraine.Kerr@ed.ac.uk

Edinburgh Research and Innovation Ltd is the University of Edinburgh’s research and commercialisation office. We engage with and support industry in a variety of ways:

• Technology licensing

• Consultancy

• Collaborative Research

• Studentships

• Strategic alliances

• Access to facilities/services

Core Capabilities and Facilities

Building the Bioeconomy

Industrial biotechnology uses enzymes and micro-organisms to make biobased products in sectors such as chemicals, food and feed, detergents, paper and pulp, textiles and bioenergy (such as biofuels or biogas).

The University of Edinburgh is providing businesses with the necessary expertise to deliver the environmental benefits, resource conservation, innovative new products, enhanced performance and reduced costs promised by industrial biotechnology.

Case Studies

Unilever plcA multinational consumer goods company is working with the University of Edinburgh and the John Innes Centre to produce plant derived triterpenoidal or steroidal surfactants, saponins, in yeast for commercial exploitation at the required scale, structure specificity and cost. Unilever will use these products for home and personal care applications.Academic expertise: Prof. Susan Rosser

Cellucomp LtdA material science company at the forefront of developing high-tech products from sustainable sources is working with the University of Edinburgh to characterise their biocomposite materials. This has enabled Cellucomp to modify their production processes and produce tailor-made materials for different applications.Academic expertise: Prof. Stephen Fry

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories LtdA multinational pharmaceutical company is working the University of Edinburgh to improve the activity of a key enzyme using evolution and selection techniques. This has enabled Dr Reddy’s Laboratories to produce a range of chiral intermediates.Academic expertise: Prof. Dominic Campopiano

Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies LtdA world leading Contract Manufacturing Organisation for the biopharmaceutical industry is working with the University of Edinburgh to improve industrial processes for biologic drug production in E. coli. By preventing premature release of valuable products, yields are increased and production costs decreased.Academic expertise: Dr. Teuta Pilizota

Cleveland Potash LtdA world leader in specialty minerals is working with the University of Edinburgh to identify microbes involved in soil and costal erosion that are similar to those found in South African gold mines. This could lead to the identification of new bacterial methods for mining economically important minerals from increasingly low-grade ores.Academic expertise: Prof. Charles Cockell

Diageo plcA global leader in beverage alcohol is working with the University of Edinburgh to produce copper nanoparticles from distillery by-products using bacteria. In addition to environmental benefits, this work will conserve resources and reduce operating costs.Academic expertise: Dr. Louise Horsfall

Novel Feedstocks Alternative feedstocks for high value

chemical manufacture, e.g. lignocellulose.

Optimised biosynthesis of high-value plant natural products, e.g. using plant stem cells.

Identification of plant cell wall polymers and novel cell wall enzymes.

Novel viral vectors and plant systems for production of proteins and biologics.

Downstream Processing Biosensors for in-situ monitoring

of downstream processing.

Single-cell analysis of cellular behaviour during processing.

Novel technologies to optimise product separation.

Biocatalysis Mining extremophiles

for novel enzymes.

Molecular evolution and selection to improve enzyme function.

Optimised Chassis Organisms Optimised chassis organisms (e.g. CHO, yeast).

Safe harbour landing pads for stable plasmid insertion.

Yeast Fab library of synthetic yeast parts.

Robust methods for automated assembly of large DNA molecules.

Computational modelling tools to design biological pathways and circuits.

Sustainability Bioremediation using

biotechnology.

Reclamation of rare metals using engineered bacteria.

Together we are:

Conducting cutting-edge research in industrial biotechnology

Creating novel technologies that can accelerate business growth

Applying these technologies commercially in partnership with industry

Enhancing the growth of existing companies and powering the creation of new spin-outs

Delivering advanced multidisciplinary training