Economy Minister Dr has launched a major new
report highlighting how engineering biology can drive economic
growth, improved health outcomes and environmental benefits for
Northern Ireland.
Engineering Biology in Northern Ireland: A Strategic
Roadmapping Study is the first integrated framework for
developing the region's engineering biology capability, focused
on using biological processes to deliver innovation across
health, food and industry.
Minister Archibald said: “Engineering biology has the potential
to transform how we approach healthcare, food production,
manufacturing and our environment. From diagnostics and precision
medicine to agri-food innovation and the circular bioeconomy, its
applications span some of the north's most important industries.
This roadmap gives us the evidence-based foundation to consider
how best to act on that potential."
The report was commissioned by Matrix, the Northern Ireland
Science Industry Panel. It provides a clear, evidence-based
pathway, positioning Northern Ireland in one of the world's
fastest-growing technology sectors.
There are six priority areas of opportunity identified in the
report: Diagnostics and Biosensors; Food Security and Resilience;
Large-Scale Capabilities and Industrial Biotechnology; Circular
Bioeconomy; Agri-Tech Innovation; and One Health. The
report calls for coordinated action across government, industry
and academia while highlighting Northern Ireland's
internationally competitive strengths in diagnostics, precision
medicine, agri-food and advanced manufacturing.
Professor Sam Turner, Chair of the study,
commented: "Northern Ireland has genuine, internationally
competitive strengths in engineering biology, particularly in
diagnostics, health and agri-food. What has been missing is not
scientific excellence, but coordination, scale-up capability and
long-term strategic commitment. This roadmap provides a clear,
evidence-based pathway so that Northern Ireland can help shape
the future of engineering biology rather than simply adopting the
solutions that have been developed elsewhere."
Professor Helen McCarthy, Chief Scientific and Technology Adviser
and Matrix Ex Officio said: “Engineering Biology is a critical
technology that will drive future economic growth through
innovation. In essence, it fuses biological knowledge with
chemical, engineering and manufacturing processes to produce new
medicines, agricultural products, sustainable fuels and advanced
materials, all of which are underpinned by greener, more
energy-efficient systems. This MATRIX report is very timely, in
the context of the UK Industrial Strategy, and critically, it not
only showcases the key strengths in the NI ecosystem but, more
importantly, it highlights what is required to accelerate
innovation in this field for maximal impact.”
The report's key recommendations include establishing a
cross-departmental engineering biology coordination body to
develop a proactive regulatory strategy that maximises the
advantages of the Windsor Framework; a comprehensive skills and
workforce strategy spanning doctoral training through to
technician-level apprenticeships; and a sustained public
engagement programme to communicate the practical benefits of
engineering biology to the public and policymakers.
The full report, Engineering Biology in Northern Ireland: A
Strategic Roadmapping Study, is available at: matrixni.org/documents/engineering-biology-research-in-northern-ireland/
Notes to Editors:
- The report was commissioned by Matrix, the Northern Ireland
Science Industry Panel, on behalf of the Department for the
Economy, and delivered by IfM Engage at the University of
Cambridge.
- The global bioeconomy is projected to generate up to $4
trillion per year by 2030 –2040, and the design, scaling and
commercialisation of biology-derived products and services has
been identified by the UK Government as one of five critical
technologies for national competitiveness.
