At a recent Parliamentary Friends of Science event in Canberra, synthetic biology took centre stage as a transformative force ready to reshape industries and tackle global challenges. Held at Parliament House, this gathering attracted scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders who explored the immense potential of synthetic biology. Discussions centred on how this emerging field can drive advancements in bio-manufacturing, medical innovation, and sustainable environmental practices, with Australia positioned to lead due to its deep expertise in biological systems and environmental, medical and agricultural science.
Key presentations from notable Federal Parliamentarians, including Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Industry and Science Hon Ed Husic MP, framed the central role of synthetic biology in driving Australia’s growing bioeconomy. An expert panel discussion highlighted the role of synthetic biology in addressing critical issues such as climate change, agricultural productivity, and public health. Attendees were introduced to cutting-edge developments that promise to deliver bio-based solutions with wide-ranging impacts across industries.
As part of the Department of Education’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), Bioplatforms Australia is investing $55M in the development of world-class synthetic biology resources that support research, foster industry collaboration, and accelerate innovation.
Key investments include synthetic biology nodes that are powering Australia’s rise as a global leader in the field. Among these is The Australian Genome Foundry, led by Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen at Macquarie University. The Genome Foundry is at the forefront of synthetic biology, providing automated high-throughput capabilities for designing, building, and testing synthetic biological systems at scale. Complementing this is IDEA Bio, led by Professor Esteban Marcellin at the University of Queensland. IDEA Bio is a hub for advanced bio-manufacturing and metabolic engineering, driving innovations in industrial biotechnology.
Currently, Bioplatforms Australia is also investing in the development of new synthetic biology nodes focused on plant synthetic biology. These emerging nodes will support research into engineering plants for enhanced traits, such as increased resilience to environmental stress, higher yields, and improved sustainability in agriculture.
Through these investments and an integrated research ecosystem, this investment will accelerate the transition of synthetic biology innovations from the lab to real-world applications. Ultimately, this will generate new industries and jobs and provide sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.