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Flouresence microscopy image of a cancer cell surrounded by killer T cells, illustrating how CAR-T therapies work. Image courtesy of the NIH Image library.

Engineering Cancer Therapeutics

22 July 2024

Can we apply engineering biology principles to improve cancer treatments? From innovative CAR-T therapies, to new tools for drug discovery and potential new treatments. Learn more about the University of Cambridge researchers exploring precision medicines for cancer.

Exploring the Interdisciplinary Landscape of Cancer Research

18 July 2024

Prof. Laura Machesky researches how cancer cells interact with their environment. This is an essential part of understanding and combating cancer metastasis. Find out how engineering biology and interdisciplinary work have contributed to her research.

Bright turquoise background with text reading ‘A Biochemical Society Scientific Meeting. Synthetic Biology UK 2024. 27–28 November 2024. Hinxton Hall, Cambridgeshire, UK.’ On the left is an illustration of DNA editing.

Registration for SynBio UK 2024 now open!

11 June 2024

The University of Cambridge and the Biochemical Society are pleased to be co-hosting this year’s Synthetic Biology UK conference. This year's conference will unite the synthetic and engineering biology communities with sessions including Synthetic Cells, Protein Design & Engineering, Future Food, Therapeutics, AI & Machine Learning, Control Systems, and Responsible Innovation.

Microscopy image of seeds germinating with roots pseudo-coloured to indicate germination time

Open Technologies Highlight: SeedGerm

10 June 2024

Thinking about how to speed up and reduce errors in seed phenotyping, Prof Ji Zhou and his colleagues at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) have develeoped SeedGerm. This is an imaging tool that combines cost-effective hardware and open source software to improve the efficiency of seed germination analysis. This process is important in a wide range of crop science research.

Calling all Postdocs and PhDs! Join the Engineering Biology ECR Committee

8 May 2024

The EngBio IRC is searching for enthusiastic Postdoc, PhD student and support staff volunteers to join the Early Career Researcher Committee, and help shape the future of engineering biology research in Cambridge.

Photo of 3D printed disks with the word 'Autohaem' on them. The disks are bright red and look like blood cells.

Open Technologies Highlight: Autohaem

8 May 2024

Autohaem was developed by Dr Samuel McDermott as a low-cost open-source solution for preparing blood smear samples. The project aims to improve automation of sample preparation in low-resource environments using the OpenFlexure microscope.

Microscopy image - credit Fernan Federici with text "EngBio IRC Strategic Events"

Call for Workshops and Discussions Exploring Engineering Biology

17 April 2024

Applications are now open for the EngBio IRC's Strategic Events Call. We are looking for workshops and discussions exploring engineering biology applications, tools, intersections with other emerging technologies and collaborative grant applications. Applications are welcome from IRC faculty members.

House of Lords Exploring Potential of Engineering Biology

11 April 2024

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee is launching an inquiry to explore the scope, applications, current landscape and ethical implications of engineering biology. The committee is inviting written contributions until Tuesday 7 May 2024.

Close up photo of the liverwort marchantia polymorpha. Image credit Jim Haseloff

Open Technologies Highlight: OpenPlant Kit

10 April 2024

Dr Eftychios Frangedakis and his colleagues in the Dept. Plant Sciences have developed the OpenPlant Kit, a series of resources and techniques that simplifies genetic engineering in plants. These tools can be used for applications such as crop development and bioproduction in plants.

Photo of Dr Lalitha Sundaram next to a green background with the UKRI and HM Government logos and white text reading 'Building a Secure and Resilient World'

Building a Secure and Resilient World

12 March 2024

Congratulations to Dr Lalitha Sundaram (CSER), who has been appointed to the UK’s Biological Security Leadership Council and has received a UKRI Policy Fellowship to explore the changing landscape of life sciences.

Engineering Cancer Therapeutics

Exploring the Interdisciplinary Landscape of Cancer Research

Registration for SynBio UK 2024 now open!

Open Technologies Highlight: SeedGerm

Calling all Postdocs and PhDs! Join the Engineering Biology ECR Committee

Open Technologies Highlight: Autohaem

Call for Workshops and Discussions Exploring Engineering Biology

House of Lords Exploring Potential of Engineering Biology

Open Technologies Highlight: OpenPlant Kit

Building a Secure and Resilient World

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