Tools and Technologies

Libraries of synthetic transcription factors

YeastFab portfolio of promoters and terminators

Gene circuits for sophisticated biosignal processing

Secure locking systems for gene constructs

Safe landing pads using recombinase technologies

Plant stem cell technologies

Genetic counting and memory devices

Engineering novel chassis systems

Core Facilities

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

www.genomefoundry.org

Phenotyping FacilitiesThe Kinetic Parameter Facility (KPF) specialises in contract work and consultancy for synthetic and systems biology research.

http://kpf.bio.ed.ac.uk

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

https://genomics.ed.ac.uk

Plant FacilitiesWe have facilities for plant tissue culture, containment and controlled growth environments with extensive greenhouses for plant research.

Innogen InstituteResearch and consultancy around the ethical, legal and social implications of emerging technologies with a particular interest in synthetic biology. The Director, Professor Joyce Tait, sits on the UK Synthetic Biology Leadership Council.

http://innogen.org.uk

For more information contact:

Dr Lorraine KerrCommercial Relations ExecutivePhone: +44(0)131 651 9070Mobile: +44(0)7833 444 961Lorraine.Kerr@ed.ac.uk

SynthSys: Centre for Synthetic & Systems Biologywww.synthsys.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

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

Biology by Design

Synthetic biology uses engineering principles to design, build and test biological systems to generate new and useful attributes. We are carrying out innovative research to ensure that synthetic biology delivers transformative solutions for affordable and effective healthcare, food security, the production of novel materials and greener sources of energy.

The University of Edinburgh is a leader in synthetic and systems biology, and has actively brought together world-class capabilities in biology, chemistry, engineering, medicine, informatics, mathematics, physics and social sciences to address the key challenges in this exciting area of technology. Synthetic biology will continue to be a core area of investment and growth for the future.

We are:

Creating novel tools and technologies to enable synthetic biology applications

Offering consultancy and access to state-of-the-art facilities and services

Implementing gold standards in responsible research and innovation in synthetic biology

Collaborating with industry to implement the transformative power of synthetic biology

Enhancing the growth of existing companies and generating new business opportunities

Delivering advanced cross-disciplinary training in relevant specialities

Applications

GSK plc, a global pharmaceutical company, is collaborating with the University of Edinburgh to create a new sustainable manufacturing process by developing novel routes for the biological production of a key antibiotic related molecule. This will produce cleaner and greener routes to antibiotics production for GSK.Academic expertise: Professors Gary Loake and Dominic Campopiano

Ingenza Ltd, a leading industrial biotechnology company is working with the University of Edinburgh to develop a CRISPR-Cas9 genome modification system in industrial yeast strains. This will generate yeast lines with enhanced value for a range of industrial applications.Academic expertise: Professor Susan Rosser

Synpromics Ltd, a pioneering synthetic biology company, together with researchers from Edinburgh are developing screening technologies using automation and next generation sequencing. This enables Synpromics to rapidly identify optimal synthetic promoters for their customers.Academic expertise: Dr Karim Gharbi

Synthetic morphology – a new paradigmThe University of Edinburgh is using pioneering synthetic biological techniques to program mammalian cells to generate designed patterns and forms, driven by artificial genetic modules. Coined ‘synthetic morphology’, it has potential application in drug discovery.Academic expertise: Professor Jamie Davies

Autodesk Inc, a world leading design software company is collaborating with the Edinburgh Genome Foundry (EGF) to develop innovative software for large scale DNA design and synthesis. This enables Autodesk to explore this new market, validate their new design software for the biology domain and speed up the product development cycle.Academic expertise: Dr Patrick Cai

Design and BuildWe are home to the Edinburgh Genome Foundry, a BBSRC-funded national facility that carries out the design and assembly

of DNA up to chromosome size.

We offer:

• Bespoke software for CAD and CAM

• Expertise in automation techniques

• A test bed for prototyping robotic systems

TestWe have a wide variety of

technology platforms that can be used to explore the phenotype of synthetically

modified cells including:

• Novel mass spectrometry techniques

• Next-generation and long-read gene sequencing

• OperaTM confocal high-content screening imaging

• LEAPTM automated live-cell analysis and processing

• Microfluidics platforms

• Novel microscopy methods including single-cell analysis

LearnWe have a long-established track

record of excellence in systems biology and offer extensive expertise in modelling

and in the development of standards.

We can offer:

• Computational modelling tools

• Design and development of novel chassis systems

• Creating standards in synthetic biology