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UCL East hosts ASEAN-UK Regional Training and Workshop on Engineering Biology
26 March 2025
UCL recently hosted the third day of the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) mission to the UK on Engineering Biology
This strategic opportunity aimed to align regulatory frameworks, technical standards, and innovation pathways between the UK and one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions.
The workshop featured sessions on reimagining engineering biology for impact in global vaccine preparedness, plastic pollution, sustainable future fuels, built environment, and the future of Machine learning and Artificial intelligence in sustainable Bioprocess and Manufacturing. The workshop was enriched with presentations from VaxHub Global and VaxHub Sustainable colleagues including Dr Stefanie Frank from UCL and the UKRI P3EB Plastics Pollution Mission Hub from Portsmouth University. A key panel discussion co-chaired by UCL Policy Impact Unit’s Anca Tacu and Luis Lacerda explored key policy enablers for commercialisation and innovation of engineering biology applications. It brought together expert panellists including Professor Paul Dalby (UCL), Prof Catherine Green (University of Oxford), Dana Heldt (Innovate UK Business Connect), Thomas Hornigold (House of Lords Science and Technology Committee) and Jack Weaver (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Training and skills were high on the agenda with Prof Gary Lye sharing information on the InnovateUK funded UK Medicines Manufacturing Skills Centre of Excellence RESILIENCE. In addition to developing hands-on training courses for industry, RESILIENCE is also making other interventions in the skills pipeline to attract more young people into the sector and to mentor future industry leaders. The delegation discussed how the RESILIENCE model might apply to Engineering Biology and workforce development in ASEAN countries.
Representatives from Centre for Process Innovation, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, BBSRC and Start-up companies were also present to support partnerships in accelerating engineering biology innovations to benefit our communities.
A report will soon follow, sharing more insights on learning and opportunities. Please contact the UCL Department of Biochemical Engineering if you want to hear more or get involved.
Prof Lye said, "One novel feature of the RESILIENCE programme is the development of Virtual Reality (VR) approaches to standardise training delivery and improve learning. With our partners at Birmingham, Heriot Watt and Teesside universities we have shown VR training approaches reduce the time and cost associated with learning new hands-on skills and improves student engagement.".