Biological Instrumentation and Tools

Biological research requires highly specialised equipment and tools that often need to be customised to a specific environment, organism or experimental setup. Engineering expertise is often essential in implementing biological research, including in the areas of synthetic and engineering biology. Engineering of tools such as microscopes, sensors, robotics, experimental hardware and software is key to achieving the full potential of engineering biology.

Cambridge has a well-established background in the development of new microscopy techniques, and in recent years has gained strong expertise in the area of low-cost DIY hardware and remote sensing. Automation of biological research and development of software and computing tools for biology are also key areas of interest for many Cambridge researchers. Promoting the development of new instruments and tools, especially low-cost open source solutions for engineering biology, is a core area of work for the IRC.