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For people, place, prosperity and planet, we deliver impact with measurement science

Biometrology

Engineering biology

Metrology to support innovation and commercialisation

Delivering the engineering biology revolution

Engineering biology (EngBio) has the potential to revolutionise how we diagnose, manage and treat disease, how we feed a growing population and how we interact with the planet in a more sustainable way. It has the potential to turn waste into valuable feedstocks and to reimagine the way we provide both key supply chain inputs and end use products and services

To harness the potential of EngBio, we need the ability to efficiently synthesise DNA at scale, and leverage cellular and biological processes to create innovative products and services. The rapid pace of development and the need to bring together biology, engineering and data science presents new challenges for metrology but the measurement science tools, standards and guidance developed by NPL will help address these challenges.

 

A UK reference Biofoundry to support EngBio innovators

NPL has established a UK Reference Biofoundry to provide a resource that supports UK companies and research organisations by providing the measurement infrastructure needed to advance EngBio driven technologies.

The reference Biofoundry will directly complement the work of the UK’s existing academic and commercial Biofoundry network by focusing on the development of foundational tools, reference calibrants, measurement methods and standards that allow effective characterisation of scaled down EngBio technologies.

The focus of our work is to support the efficient and reliable translation and scale up of early stage innovation, regardless of the end application – from therapeutics and diagnostics to sustainable materials and biomanufacturing.

Learn more about Biofoundry

Case study

Enhancing 3D Bio-Processor Technologies for Synthetic Biology

Article

Case study

Optimising viral vaccine development

Article

Supporting investment and growth in UK engineering biology companies

Our world-leading measurement science is bringing EngBio solutions to life through collaboration to support early stage innovators and those scaling-up their manufacture. Our expertise and facilities are also helping EngBio entrepreneurs to demonstrate the value of their products and processes and unlock the investment which is crucial to growth and commercialisation strategies. If you would like to learn more about our activities or discuss how we can help your company to innovate and scale - get in touch with our team.

 

Emerging technologies

NPL drives science and innovation collaboration across industry, academia, and government, focusing on the emerging technologies. Our leading role in the National Quantum Programme, National Timing Centre Programme, Engineering Biology Reference Biofoundry and AI Standards Hub reinforces the UK's aim to be a science superpower by 2030.

As a national laboratory, we build confidence in new technologies, shaping the nation's readiness through standards, skills, and investment.

Emerging technologies

Contact us

Our research and measurement solutions support innovation and product development. We work with companies to deliver business advantage and commercial success.
Contact our Customer Services team on +44 20 8943 7070