OpenPlant - major boost for synthetic biology

Inspired by the way open source data has stimulated innovation in computing, a new UK centre will create a climate of openness in synthetic biology, helping young researchers and entrepreneurs develop and share new tools and libraries of plant DNA. By creating DNA resources and tools that are free to use, OpenPlant will foster the kind of innovation seen at the emergence of other new technologies such as microelectronics and computer software - Dr Nicola Patron Plant scientists at Cambridge and Norwich have been awarded £12 million funding for a new UK synthetic biology centre - OpenPlant. OpenPlant is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and the John Innes Centre on Norwich Research Park. The funding will be shared equally between the two institutions. It is one of three new UK centres for synthetic biology announced today by science minister David Willetts. Over the next five years the three centres will receive more than £40 million in funding from the BBSRC and EPSRC. Sitting at the boundary between sciences, synthetic biology uses engineering principles - including standardisation and modularisation - to make new biological parts and systems.