2024 ASPIRE-BBSRC Joint Call
Biotechnology
Research Field: Engineering Biology
- Title
- Data-driven multiscale engineering of cell fate decisions
- Support Period
- FY 2024 - FY 2027 (December 2024 - March 2028)
- Japan-side PI
- OKADA Mariko, Professor, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University
- UK-side PI
- Richard Bayliss, Professor, Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds
- Research Outline
- A cell ensures its survival and proliferation by sensing and responding to environmental cues through a series of intracellular signals that modify its internal functions. However, most of our understanding of intracellular cell signalling has been gleaned from reductionist approaches which trace processes of isolated individual pathways. These approaches fail to encapsulate a complete understanding of complex cellular regulation that includes multiple signalling pathways, transcription/translation and heterogeneous responses. Understanding of the cell fate regulation requires adopting a holistic approach to understanding the intricate communication networks of cell fate.
In this proposal we aim to deepen our understanding of pathways through engineering of cells. The engineering process will involve data-driven modelling of cell fate pathways, transcription and translational regulation, and the design and implementation of synthetic components and circuits. This will be achieved through the collective efforts of an international consortium of experts in cell, computational and synthetic biology. We will provide bespoke research training across the international collaboration network to foster the next generation of interdisciplinary scientists and research leaders in biological engineering.
- Title
- A bioengineering platform for creating agriculturally-applicable sentinel plants
- Support Period
- FY 2024 - FY 2027 (December 2024 - March 2028)
- Japan-side PI
- Fyodor Kondrashov, Professor, Evolutionary and Synthetic Biology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
- UK-side PI
- Karen Sarkisyan, Group Leader, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London
- Research Outline
- Bioengineered plants may revolutionize existing agricultural practices and help to prevent food shortages becoming a global problem. One promising technology is the use of luminescent crops that can detect pest damage in real time. Our interdisciplinary team of Japanese and British scientists aims to develop reporter plants that can be used at the farm and in the lab. To achieve this, we will combine complementary expertise in machine learning, molecular engineering, and plant science. Specifically, we will develop tobacco and Arabidopsis with new luminescent reporters that detect plant hormones released by plants in response to pests and pathogens, as well as rice and soybean that can detect crop damage in real time in actual farms. It is expected that these developments will make it possible to monitor pest damage in real time by detecting plant luminescence with a drone. We also aim to further expand our international network by holding international conferences that bring together researchers from Japan and abroad.
- Title
- Orthogonal phages from non-linear sequence topologies: towards an artificial phage-host system
- Support Period
- FY 2024 - FY 2027 (December 2024 - March 2028)
- Japan-side PI
- SUGA Hiroaki, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo
- UK-side PI
- Max Ryadnov, Professor, National Physical Laboratory
- Research Outline
- While advances are being made in engineering bacterial viruses and bacteriophages for applications as diverse as antibacterial therapy and the treatment of alcoholic liver disease, many of these efforts rely on existing biological systems. However, a phage-like system or its host have not yet developed due to its high challenges. In this study, researchers from the University of Tokyo and the UK's National Physical Laboratory have formed an international partnership to create artificial phages synthesized from a novel idea and explore the basis of their replication hosts. Unlike existing biological phages and viruses, we have designed artificial phages that are assembled from short nonlinear amino acid sequences and used them as innovative tools for biodesign, gene reprogramming, and protocells to expand the chemical space. We aim to construct an artificial phage and non-virus capsid host system that interact with host cells as an organism orthogonal to resident organisms, which exemplifies the emergence of artificial life from the human body.
We will also further develop our international network, focusing on long-term travel from Japan to the UK.
- Title
- Engineering sustained function in SYNthetic cells through enERGY generation, storage and transformation (Japan-UK SYNERGY)
- Support Period
- FY 2024 - FY 2029 (December 2024 - March 2030)
- Japan-side PI
- TAKINOUE Masahiro, Professor, Department of Computer Science, Institute of Science Tokyo
- UK-side PI
- Oscar Ces, Chair of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London
- Research Outline
- Artificial cell technology is expected to achieve a revolution in healthcare, bio-manufacturing, and environmental restoration. However, since artificial cells have problems with energy generation, conversion, and storage, sustaining their functions for long periods is difficult, making practical application difficult. In this Japan-UK SYNERGY project, top research teams from Institute of Science Tokyo, Imperial College London, and University of Cambridge will come together to develop functional modules for energy and logistics, by which artificial cells i) produce ATP from substrates, ii) store ATP in molecular batteries, and iii) convert heat and magnetic forces into ATP. The long-lasting functionality of artificial cells using the modules will enable their applications in the real world. Furthermore, through extensive exchanges including mutual research visits and international research meetings, we will create opportunities for international talent mobility and circulation through the development of artificial cell technology as well as the cultivation of young human resources.
As a permanent international research hub, the Japan-UK SYNERGY will contribute to the UK and Japan playing a leading international role in the coming artificial cell revolution.
- Title
- Japan-UK collaboration for artificial photosynthetic cell systems
- Support Period
- FY 2024 - FY 2027 (December 2024 - March 2028)
- Japan-side PI
- NOJI Hiroyuki, Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
- UK-side PI
- Huang Wei, Professor, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford
- Research Outline
- This research aims to develop an artificial photosynthesis platform by hybridizing synthetic microorganisms and electrochemical devices, while also fostering young talent who will become the next generation of leaders through research activities. To realize the artificial photosynthesis platform, we will establish a cross-disciplinary Japan-UK cooperative system by bringing together top researchers not only from engineering biology and biophysics, but also from fields such as electrochemistry, nanomaterials chemistry, microfluidics, and information technology. This initiative will establish foundational technologies for the production of valuable materials using light energy, contributing to the realization of a sustainable bioeconomy.
In addition, through unique workshops and collaborations with industry, this project aims to form strategic international networks. By providing numerous opportunities for young researchers to participate in cross-border interdisciplinary research, we will nurture the next generation of leading researchers who possess not only cutting-edge technical skills but also effective communication abilities.
Note: Information such as affiliation and position is as of November 2024.