The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has opened its pioneering UK Reference Biofoundry. Launched earlier this month by the UK Science Minister, Lord Vallance, the world-class facility is a commitment to advancing engineering biology through rigorous metrology, standards development and high-throughput automation.
The new biofoundry is designed to bridge the gap between groundbreaking science and scalable, investable solutions in critical sectors including healthcare, food security and sustainable manufacturing.
The NPL Reference Biofoundry is the first metrology-focused biofoundry of its kind. It combines synthetic and analytical capabilities in a single location, offering breadth in DNA synthesis, protein design, cell engineering and bioprocess scale-up.
“Engineering biology is a transformative technology with the potential to revolutionise healthcare, food security, and sustainable manufacturing,” Lord Vallance said, “These are key sectors which underpin our economy. The NPL Reference Biofoundry will give UK innovators the tools they need to turn breakthrough science into scalable, investable solutions – helping us lead the world in this vital field.”
“This facility is a game-changer,” said Dr Peter Thompson CBE, the NPL’s chief executive officer, “It is built on our expertise as the UK’s National Metrology Institute and brings together multidisciplinary science, AI integration, and expertise in standards development to make biological systems more predictable and scalable. That predictability is key to unlocking investment and delivering real-world impact.