DNA Production Facility Begins Operation

The Edinburgh Genome Foundry has large-scale robotic processes to design, build and test large sections of DNA, the building blocks of life.

Researchers at the facility, in the University's School of Biological Sciences, are seeking to create and modify long strands of DNA that can be used to equip cells or organisms with new or improved functions.

Research potential

Its products could lead to advances such as programming stem cells for use in personalised medicines, developing bacteria that can detect disease in the gut, or altering the DNA of biofuel crops to enable a higher yield.

Researchers at the Foundry will design and manufacture genetic material on an unprecedented scale. They will be able to design and build large, complex pieces of DNA code quickly at relatively low cost.

Key organisms

The facility will support an international project to synthesis the entire genome of yeast, which is a model organism for research into living systems.

An international team of researchers, led by scientists from Edinburgh, has already created the first chromosome of synthetic yeast.

Flagship facility

The Foundry is primarily funded by the Research Councils UK’s ‘Synthetic biology for Growth’ Programme.

The opening of the Foundry is being held alongside a networking event with a focus on automation and robotics in synthetic biology.

The meeting is organised by industry association SynBioBeta, hosted by the University, and attended by entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers.  

“The UK is home to the discovery of the DNA double-helix, a ground-breaking moment in modern science. An even greater understanding of DNA and the ability to construct and modify it will lead to untold scientific discoveries that could save millions of lives around the world. Through the investment by the Government, the Edinburgh Genome Foundry will ensure the UK leads the way in pioneering these new medicines.” – Jo Johnson, Science Minister 

“We are excited to be opening the Edinburgh Genome Foundry, which will allow us to construct DNA on a large scale and will support synthetic biology in the UK. This will help us both interrogate how cells and organisms operate and realise the many economically important applications of synthetic biology.” – Prof.  Susan Rosser, Co-Director of Edinburgh Genome Foundry and Chair in Synthetic Biology  

The Edinburgh Genome Foundry, as the UK’s largest integrated national facility for automated DNA synthesis assembly, will play a key role in ushering in major developments in the field.  – Prof. Patrick Cai, Co-Director of Edinburgh Genome Foundry