UKRI Awards £27 Million to Accelerate Biotech Innovation Across the UK
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced a £27 million investment to support 31 pioneering biotechnology projects, marking a major boost for the UK’s bioscience and life sciences sector.
The funding, provided through the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) under its ALERT scheme, is designed to equip bioscience researchers with cutting-edge infrastructure and technology to drive transformative discoveries. Projects span a wide array of innovative applications, from advanced imaging tools that examine cell behaviour to mobile platforms tracking carbon movement across UK farmland.
Driving world-class bioscience and innovation
“This funding strengthens the UK’s bioscience capabilities by investing in advanced research infrastructure,” said Dr Amanda Collis, Executive Director for Research Strategy and Programmes at BBSRC.
“We are supporting world-class facilities that drive discovery and innovation, deliver real-world impacts, and have the potential to transform lives.”
The projects funded include:
- Wearable brain-imaging platform (University of Birmingham): A device capable of monitoring neural activity across the lifespan, from infancy to older age, unlocking insights into brain development and neurological health.
- Regenerative biology facility (University of Edinburgh): A dedicated centre to study axolotls’ unique regenerative abilities, with the aim of advancing treatments for injuries and degenerative diseases.
- Mobile carbon flux platform (Lancaster University): Technology to track how carbon moves through UK farmland, providing vital data for improving soil health, sustainable agriculture, and land-use policies.
Strengthening the UK’s life sciences ecosystem
The ALERT scheme is part of BBSRC’s long-term strategy to equip UK researchers with the infrastructure and toolsneeded to remain at the forefront of global bioscience. By enabling access to state-of-the-art equipment and fostering cross-institutional collaboration, the programme ensures that UK researchers can tackle pressing scientific challenges and translate breakthroughs into tangible benefits for society.
“This initiative underlines the UK Government’s commitment to biotech innovation and research excellence,” added Dr Collis. “By supporting cutting-edge projects across universities, we are helping the UK maintain its position as a global leader in life sciences research and bioscience technology.”
With this latest round of funding, the UK continues to demonstrate its commitment to advanced biotechnology, research innovation, and sustainable scientific infrastructure, paving the way for discoveries that could shape medicine, agriculture, and environmental solutions for years to come.
