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Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has unveiled a raft of new announcements to drive innovation in science that includes £100 million for biotech frms across the UK to help pioneer new technologies. It will also help prepare for pandemics, innovative farming, and protection against foods.
The cash will be given to six new ‘Engineering Biology Mission Hubs’ and 22 ‘Mission Award’ projects across the country, according to a statement from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It will look to build on Engineering Biology’s enormous potential to address global challenges, drive economic growth, and increase national resilience, the statement added.
The announcement comes as the government doubles down on its commitment to support growth and innovation in science by slashing research red tape – unshackling scientists so they can spend more time in the lab creating new vaccines rather than flling out unnecessary forms. Among the package of announcements to drive further momentum behind the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s work including £21 million for the world-leading Biobank.
The UK Biobank has been given the cash injection for a new robotic freezer, which will be used to store 20 million samples of biological data. This will further support research that is being used to treat diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s.
The measures will build on the record £19.4 billion invested in research and this year alone, the highest level this country has ever seen, and the nearly three quarter of a million jobs the sector has created in the last decade (a 41 per cent increase), the ofcial release said.
Statistics show that every £1 Innovate UK alone invests in grants for business innovation returns over £3.60 in direct business beneft, with a total economic return valued at over £6.20, it added.
Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation – the national funding agency investing in science and research in the country
