BBSRC Impact Showcase 2025
30th Anniversary Special
For three decades, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has supported and enabled cutting-edge bioscience research and innovation that has helped improve lives and livelihoods for people around the world.
From genome sequencing to Dolly the sheep (the first mammalian adult clone), and from revolutionary new wheat lines to tackling antimicrobial resistance, groundbreaking discoveries in biology have wide-ranging and long-term impacts.
In the coming years, advances in bioscience and biotechnology discovery have the potential to contribute ‘bio-based’ solutions to some of the biggest problems facing society, from food and nutrition security, climate change to infectious disease and an ageing population.
Discovery and innovation in the biosciences are also key to the UK’s ability to compete in multi-billion-pound industries, such as agri-food and pharmaceuticals, and to seize opportunities for UK leadership in emerging sectors including bio-based advanced manufacturing and the transformative potential of engineering biology.
BBSRC’s investments help bioscience deliver these world-class outputs, outcomes and impacts to society and the economy. Bioscience is inherently interdisciplinary – breakthrough discoveries often occur at the interfaces with other disciplines. BBSRC also supports a wide range of funded activities in collaboration with other research councils and Innovate UK across UKRI.
This showcase celebrates our 30-year milestone; a three-decade journey driven by commitment, collaboration and innovation. It shows how bioscience continues to make fundamental conceptual advances, underpin and drive change, bringing benefits and positive impacts to the economy, society, our own health and the health of the environment.
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith
BBSRC Executive Chair
Welcome message by Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith
Welcome message by Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith
BBSRC@30 – driving breakthroughs in bioscience
BBSRC’s major initiatives have helped drive bioscience advances across the decades. Groundbreaking discoveries don’t just happen overnight. In fact, they take years of commitment and dedication from researchers, supported by crucial, long-term investment. Over the years, BBSRC’s sustained investments have helped drive these and many other breakthroughs in bioscience.
One of the ways that BBSRC provides leadership and direction in bioscience is by shaping initiatives – opportunities targeted towards specific scientific challenges, developing research capability, promoting innovation and fostering collaboration.
Over the past 30 years BBSRC has supported over 300 initiatives spanning the breadth of our scientific remit. Working with the research community and wider stakeholders, including other research funders, nationally and internationally, initiatives have catalysed and convened bioscience advances.
Their targeted nature means initiatives reflect the priorities and strategy of BBSRC at a particular point in time. The following timeline provides a snapshot of some of our major initiative investments through the decades together with some of our key realised impacts.
BBSRC@30 timeline
BBSRC’s major initiatives have helped drive bioscience advances across the decades.
The 1990s: Laying foundations and responding to priorities
Building bioinformatics capabilities
BBSRC’s earliest initiative investment was in bioinformatics in 1994. Jointly funded with EPSRC, it was designed to incorporate leading-edge information technology into the study of biological systems.
Dolly the sheep is born
In 1997, The Roslin Institute – a world-leader in animal bioscience – made scientific history with the announcement of the birth of Dolly the Sheep: the first clone of an adult mammal. Find out more about Roslin’s farm animal genetics and genomics work.
Understanding the building blocks of life
New centres of excellence helped put the UK at the forefront of foundational bioscience. Four Interdisciplinary Research Centres focused on genome research, protein research, biochemical engineering and neuroscience. Advances in structural biology research, facilitated through the formation of five Structural Biology Centres, expanded our understanding of the building blocks of life, including DNA and proteins.
Paving the way for the genomics revolution
Major investments in gene function led to transformative research into plant, animal and microbial model systems. Read more about how our fundamental research in plant genomics has helped pave the way for the development of improved crop varieties that will support population needs in an increasingly changing climate.
Responding to the BSE outbreak
BBSRC played a critical role in the UK response to the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) outbreak, funding initiatives to develop understanding of the brain disease.
New sequencing technologies
A BBSRC grant funded the development of sequencing by synthesis technologies. Illumina sequencing would go on to transform genomics, making whole genome sequencing faster and cheaper.
The 2000s: The ’omics era begins, regenerative biology and translational science
Developing bioinformatics capacity
Building on earlier BBSRC funding, several major investments supported growth in bioinformatics. The so-called ’omics era saw the publication of the first complete genomes and rapid developments in proteomic capabilities.
Revolutionising regenerative biology
Following the first isolation of human embryonic stem cells in the late 1990s, BBSRC invested extensively in this revolutionary technology. The Stem Cell Science and Engineering initiative, for example, helped put the UK at the forefront of stem cell research and harness its potential for human health.
Creating resilience in agriculture
Sustained investments in plant and crop science supported sustainable agriculture and international development, while several initiatives tackled livestock diseases, including swine and avian influenza.
From research to real world
BBSRC’s flagship initiative Follow-On Fund was launched to help translate research into practical applications. Research Clubs were formed to create knowledge transfer networks between academia and industry.
The 2010s: Food security, securing national capabilities and the circular economy
Improving food security
With a growing appreciation of the interconnectivity between environmental, animal, and human health, BBSRC joined the Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease initiative. Initiatives included helping to prevent livestock disease outbreaks and improving global food security through crop genetics.
Equipping researchers
The Advanced Life Sciences Research Technology (ALERT) initiative was launched to ensure researchers have access to the cutting-edge equipment required for the continued expansion of bioscience.
Supporting national capabilities
The launch of major centres developed capabilities in emerging and important research areas, including synthetic biology. The National Biofilms Innovation Centre, for example, is tackling the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.
Biology for a circular economy
In recognition of biology’s potential to support a circular economy, the Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy and Agri-tech and Industrial Biotechnology Catalysts (with Innovate UK) were created to strengthen academic industry collaboration in the biosciences.
The 2020s: Pandemic response, bioscience in transformative collaborations, the era of engineering biology
BBSRC played a vital role in the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating urgent research into the biology of the virus, as well as tackling the global emergency.
Addressing global health challenges
Major investments are helping to address global health challenges, such as the One Health Approaches to Vector-Borne Diseases initiative to tackle infections such as malaria, and the Diet and Health Open Innovation Research Club (OIRC), which aims to improve diet in the UK. Antimicrobial resistance remains a priority too.
Transformative collaborations in bioscience
The newly launched Prosperity Partnerships build on the success of the earlier Research Clubs, successfully directing £30 million of private money into research ranging from sustainable agriculture to pipelines for drug and antimicrobial discovery.
Putting the UK at the forefront of engineering biology
The dynamic and revolutionary sector of Engineering Biology – one of the UK Government’s five critical technologies – offers huge potential for society and the economy. BBSRC is funding research that harnesses discoveries in nature’s biological pathways and processes, and engineers them into new applications and products.
Celebrating the people behind the bioscience
People are the driving force behind every scientific breakthrough. Attracting, retaining and developing a highly skilled, diverse, mobile bioscience workforce is essential for the health and vibrancy of UK biosciences. An open and positive research and innovation culture enables everyone to thrive.
Empowering the next generation of researchers
BBSRC has funded 14,000 notional studentships over the past 30 years. Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS) is a programme for PhD students funded by BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnerships and Doctoral Landscape awards. The three-month placements give students the opportunity to explore future career paths and gain experiences that help them achieve their employment aspirations.
A recent independent evaluation of PIPS completed by the Careers Research & Advisory Centre indicated that students value the skills gained during their placement and the chance to broaden career choices after their studies.
Partnerships, collaboration and knowledge exchange
BBSRC’s commitment to collaboration and knowledge exchange has fostered a vibrant bioscience ecosystem, bringing together researchers, industry partners and policymakers to address global grand challenges and add value to our investments.
Collaborative R&D
BBSRC catalyses, promotes and invests in innovation through support for collaborative research and development (CR&D). This enables businesses to collaborate with bioscience research partners across the UK and invest in different ways to deliver economic and societal benefit.
Support is provided through business partnering programmes, such as LINK, IPA and Prosperity Partnerships, which are responsive to challenges set by businesses. National strategic innovation programmes bring businesses and other partners together pre-competitively to invest and work with the bioscience research base. Such public-private shared investment partnerships supported over 1,800 awards and delivered a 7:1 return for every pound invested by BBSRC.
Commercialisation and translation
BBSRC CR&D work is complemented by support for commercialisation of bioscience research, such as its translational funding programmes, namely the Follow-on Fund and Impact Acceleration Accounts.
A recent evaluation of BBSRC’s translational funding programmes highlighted the effectiveness of these programmes in supporting bioscience innovation, enabling BBSRC researchers to translate their fundamental research ideas into practice. Between 2004 and 2021, BBSRC has invested around £61m in translational funding with a Gross Value Added (GVA) of £652 million over a 10-year period.
The Follow-on Fund (FoF) is central to BBSRC’s vision for a vibrant bioscience ecosystem. Over 20 years, the Follow-on Fund has invested in more than 500 projects. It enables researchers to advance previous BBSRC investments and deliver outcomes such as products, services, spin-outs and licensable Intellectual Property that benefit the UK and international markets. Awards are designed to develop intellectual assets with the potential to unlock a commercial opportunity. Nearly half of the FoF research teams surveyed in the translation evaluation reported a commercial outcome from their work, such as a spin-out or a licensing deal, with a further 30% indicating progress towards commercialisation in the future.
Spin-outs play a crucial role in delivering impact, driving economic growth and creating jobs. An independent report on the economic impact of BBSRC attributable spin-outs demonstrated the significance of BBSRC funding in driving economic value through the UK spin-out community.
The cohort of spin-outs, spanning a wide range of market sectors, contributes an estimated real net GVA of over £5 billion, which is predicted to grow to an estimated £7 billion on a 20-year projection. Since its inception, BBSRC has supported the creation of more than 450 spin-outs employing over 8,000 people. Read more about these spinouts in some of the articles featured in this showcase.
Key figures from recent economic reports of BBSRC translational funding and BBSRC attributable spin-outs.
Key figures from recent economic reports of BBSRC translational funding and BBSRC attributable spin-outs.
International collaboration
Partnerships outside the UK are essential for strengthening and maintaining the vibrancy of the UK bioscience research base. Through international partnerships, researchers can collaborate with the best scientists overseas, work across nations to tackle global challenges and ensure that there is impact from our bioscience research, skills and innovation for public good.
BBSRC works with a range of funding agencies and organisations located both in the UK and overseas to ensure that the UK is a partner of choice for bioscience research and innovation. We have funded 1,197 international grants and enabled collaboration with over 130 countries through research grants, networks, initiatives, and infrastructure programmes.
International collaborations have amplified BBSRC’s investments, achieving global impacts beyond national efforts alone. Building these mutually beneficial partnerships has ensured UK bioscience addresses international research priorities and cutting-edge technologies, such as:
- using the bioeconomy to confront global challenges
- tackling infectious diseases
- climate-proofing plants
- addressing antimicrobial resistance
- developing international partnerships in engineering biology, and leveraging international expertise and data resources on AI
BBSRC funding has fuelled international collaboration with UK researchers.
BBSRC funding has fuelled international collaboration with UK researchers.
Driving bioscience research across the UK regions
BBSRC investments in bioscience infrastructures and specialist institutes are driving the growth of bioscience across the UK. These facilities foster collaboration, connect local communities, and secure regional partners and private investment to create shared prosperity.
A map detailing UKRI campuses, the BBSRC institutes, and the BBSRC ‘footprint’ at Sci-Tech Daresbury (through BioBIC)
A map detailing UKRI campuses, the BBSRC institutes, and the BBSRC ‘footprint’ at Sci-Tech Daresbury (through BioBIC)
Infrastructure underpinning the success of UK bioscience
Access to cutting-edge infrastructure is a fundamental enabler for the research and innovation ecosystem. BBSRC investments have established both regional innovation clusters and critical national capabilities. Infrastructures range from national facilities offering globally unique capabilities through to the instruments and services operated by local facilities across the nation. They include:
- Strategically supported institutes
These institutes provide national capabilities, world-leading expertise and leadership, acting as a nucleus for national and international collaboration. Their research programmes and facilities underpin key sectors of the UK economy and help generate wealth and job creation across a broad range of industry sectors. - Research and innovation campuses
These BBSRC and Science and Technology Facilities Council campuses build ecosystems centred around areas of research and innovation excellence. The campuses offer unique environments where companies can access and collaborate with specialist facilities and research expertise, thereby fostering early-stage innovation, attracting private investment, and accelerating excellent research into tangible social and economic benefits. - Digital research infrastructure
Over the last few decades, rapid improvements in the availability, sensitivity and throughput of technology used in research, coupled with advances in computer science and AI, have resulted in a huge increase in the volume and complexity of bioscience data generated. Researchers require ever more effective ways to track, store, process, use and re-use this information, helping them to maximise the benefits and impacts from their work.
Babraham Research Campus: Life science hub hits £3.15 billion high
25 years ago, the Babraham Institute (BI) launched the Babraham BioIncubator to support early-stage life science companies. It has now evolved into the Babraham Research Campus (BRC).
“Our Campus provides a dynamic environment where cutting-edge academic and commercial research plus entrepreneurial spirit come together to advance discoveries that improve health outcomes, benefit society, and contribute to economic development in the UK.” – Derek Jones, CEO of BRC.
The BRC is the result of a partnership between BBSRC, BI and Babraham Research Campus Ltd (BRCL), the latter of which manages the campus. It has fostered an ecosystem and infrastructure for institute-industry collaboration, startups, and investment.
The BRC was launched to support early-stage life science companies. Credit: The Babraham Institute
The BRC was launched to support early-stage life science companies. Credit: The Babraham Institute
Transformative technologies
BBSRC is a front runner in supporting the development of transformative technologies that empower researchers to push the boundaries of scientific discovery. From sequencing and genomics to engineering biology and artificial intelligence (AI), these technologies have revolutionised bioscience, opening up new possibilities for addressing global challenges.
Engineering biology
Engineering biology, an evolution of synthetic biology, holds the potential to solve major global challenges and employs nature to help achieve this. Impacts are wide ranging with applications across agriculture, health, and manufacturing, while supporting a cleaner environment for our future. Read more in the Engineering Biology Showcase.
The field has seen significant growth in harnessing nature's solutions to yield impactful outcomes with substantial economic and social benefits. Economically, the potential market value continues to grow and is currently estimated at an 8.7 times return on initial UKRI investment.
The Earlham Biofoundry, a BBSRC-supported National Bioscience Research Infrastructure, provides automated platforms and liquid-handling robots for the rapid design, construction and testing of biological systems. This image shows Hamilton MicroLab Star PLUS. Credit: Earlham Institute.
The Earlham Biofoundry, a BBSRC-supported National Bioscience Research Infrastructure, provides automated platforms and liquid-handling robots for the rapid design, construction and testing of biological systems. This image shows Hamilton MicroLab Star PLUS. Credit: Earlham Institute.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having a transformative impact on bioscience research and innovation. BBSRC funding is supporting these advances, whether it involves developing new AI approaches, finding effective ways to harness AI in answering biological questions, or supporting emerging needs in AI skills and infrastructure. As AI applications continue to progress, it is also crucial to ensure responsible AI development and adoption within the bioscience research and innovation community.
Key bioeconomy sectors such as agriculture, life sciences and biotechnology are increasingly developing and using AI tools and stand to benefit substantially. For example, the global market in AI for agriculture is projected to grow annually by 23% to 2028.
The success of AlphaFoldDB exemplifies the types of progress that can be achieved. AlphafoldDB has released over 200 million protein structure predictions that are freely available to the global scientific community and has over two million users in 190 countries.
BBSRC’s strategy is to further explore and embed the transformative potential of AI across bioscience research and innovation, using data-driven approaches to address societal challenges and support the bioeconomy.
Sustainable agriculture and food
BBSRC has sown the seeds for a more sustainable future through strategic investments in agriculture and food research. From boosting crop yields and resilience to enhancing nutritional value and promoting more sustainable practices, our commitment to this vital area has borne fruit for people, plants and planet.
Revolutionising Wheat
For over two decades, BBSRC has been at the forefront of wheat research, helping to safeguard one of the world’s most vital crops and strengthen global food security.
BBSRC’s strategic leadership and sustained long-term investment, through key flagship programmes, has been transformative. A celebration of these achievements is set out in the Revolutionising Wheat Showcase.
Bioscience for an integrated understanding of health
BBSRC’s investments in health research have led to breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, the development of new treatments, vaccines and disease prevention.
Improving health and wellbeing in people and animals
In the coming years, rapid advances in bioscience discovery and innovation will be essential for driving the changes needed to maintain the health and wellbeing of people and animals. For example, a deep understanding of biological systems will be central to addressing the challenges of increasing healthy life expectancy. BBSRC investments are driving advances and innovations to improve animal and human health across the whole life course.
Find out more about BBSRC’s work in vaccines, antimicrobial resistance, gut health and the safety of feed products.
Advanced manufacturing and clean growth
BBSRC’s support for bio-based processes and products is driving the transition to a low-carbon bioeconomy. By developing novel sustainable alternatives, processes and products, these innovations are transforming industries and promoting environmental sustainability.
BBSRC investments in industrial biotechnology are creating sustainable innovations across a wide range of sectors, including materials, manufacturing, food, agriculture and energy.
Curiosity-driven research
BBSRC’s funding for curiosity-driven research has led to groundbreaking discoveries that have expanded our understanding of the natural world. These vital advances are shaping the future of bioscience and paving the way for new solutions to global challenges.
Understanding the rules of life
Advancing our fundamental understanding of living systems is at the heart of bioscience research and innovation. Given the great complexity and diversity of life, this is a significant scientific challenge, but promoting creative, curiosity-driven research plays a vital role in addressing the fundamental questions in biology.
Groundbreaking discoveries in biology, from the structure of DNA to the processes by which cells divide and replicate, have had wide-ranging and long-term impacts to our lives. BBSRC invests in this curiosity-driven research, uncovering new knowledge across all of bioscience to improve life now and in the future.
About BBSRC
As the UK’s major public funder of world-leading bioscience research and innovation, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council's (BBSRC) vision is to advance the frontiers of biology and drive towards a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future.
Some of the institutions key to meeting this vision are BBSRC’s strategic partnerships with universities, of which there are 15. Also mission critical are the 8 specialist bioscience research institutes that BBSRC strategically funds:
- Babraham Institute
- Earlham Institute
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS)
- John Innes Centre
- The Pirbright Institute
- Quadram Institute
- The Roslin Institute
- Rothamsted Research
Find out more about BBSRC’s work and strategic priorities by reading our Strategic Delivery Plan 2022-2025.
Contact us
Impact narratives and case studies provide an important evidence base to support the case for continued investment in world-class bioscience.
Get in touch with us to discuss BBSRC’s research outcomes and impacts or to tell us about your own:
Emma Lambourne, Senior Manager, Impact Evidence
emma.lambourne@bbsrc.ukri.org
Rosie Ford, Manager, Impact Evidence
rosie.ford@bbsrc.ukri.org
Dr Beverley Thomas, Associate Director, Evidence and Evaluation
beverley.thomas@bbsrc.ukri.org
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
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