Linda Bedenik
Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager, BioIndustry Association (BIA)
Advancements like CRISPR gene editing, big data and AI analysis, genomics breakthroughs and DNA sequencing industrialisation are driving major changes in biotechnology.
The rise of modern industrial biotechnologies enabling us to engineer biology is leading us down a path of truly disruptive biological innovation that can tackle many of the UK’s and global sustainability threats if widely implemented.
Deep Biotech creating sustainable UK bioeconomy
The BioIndustry Association (BIA) has named this frontier of science — and the innovative companies leading it — Deep Biotech. Our brand-new report, ‘Deep Biotech: Disruptive innovation for global sustainability’ highlights how Deep Biotech is key to creating a sustainable UK bioeconomy and making the UK a science superpower that benefits all.
We are already witnessing the rise of this biorevolution. UK startups optimise algae to transform CO2 into biofuels, use soil to grow sustainable packaging, grow meat in bioreactors, not on valuable land, and craft enzymes that eat plastic.
Deep Biotech is key to creating a sustainable
UK bioeconomy and making the UK a
science superpower that benefits all.
Biomaterials: creating better materials
The fashion industry is estimated to be causing 10% of global carbon emissions. Polyester, largely derived from petroleum, dominates 54% of the global market due to the competitively low price of fossil fuels. Novel biomaterials have the potential to reduce our reliance on animal and petrochemical-derived materials in the future.
Advances in the development of biomaterials can replace some synthetic, petrochemical-derived fibres and prevent the pollution of water through microfibre shedding more generally. Globally, 16% and 35% of microplastics released into our environment are from the laundering of synthetic textiles, which can end up in the food chain and, ultimately, the human body. Once released, they are difficult to remove from the environment.
Seizing the Deep Biotech opportunity
While the impact-driven nature of Deep Biotech is easy to grasp, its interdisciplinarity will require understanding and support across government. Elections are looming, and the task for our incoming government will be to seize the opportunity and realise biotech’s potential across our entire economy and society. With the UK’s track record of success in health biotech, we are well-placed to ignite the biorevolution — from the medicines we take to the food we consume and the clothes we wear.
