Exploiting nature’s building blocks to create a new generation of bioinspired technologies

RESEARCH VISION

We take inspiration from biological systems to create a new generation of bioinspired technologies. Using biomolecular machines, exploiting synthetic molecular componentry, emulating cellular architectural motifs, and developing underpinning frontier technologies, we are able to engineer micro-devices on cellular length scales. Our ambition is to construct artificial cells — entities that mimic the architectures, processes, and behaviours of biological cells —  from scratch.

MISSION

We aim to create an internationally leading research laboratory that constantly pushes boundaries and explores new horizons in the chemical sciences and beyond. Whether the science is blue-skies or applied, our long-term aim is for it to have an impact.

VALUES

We believe that science is an open, collaborative, and fun enterprise, and we run the group with this in mind. Our guiding vision is that everyone has their voice heard and feels valued.

ETHOS

We aim to create an inclusive, diverse, and vibrant environment where people feel stimulated, respected, and supported. We recognise that people have their own strengths, and we aim to play to these. Great science is a bottom-up endeavour, and we encourage team members to embrace a spirit of exploration in their research. We aim to give our team members the tools, training, resources and confidence to be able to express their scientific curiosity

STRIVING FOR IMPACT

We are exploring the use of bioinspired machines in drug delivery, vaccines, biosensing, diagnostics, synthetic cell therapies, drug discovery and pharmacokinetic screens. We use synthetic cells as models to help us unravel the rules of life: understanding biology by building a new biology. Blurring the boundaries between living and non-living matter allows us to engineer microsystems that generate their own energy, self-repair, make decisions, communicate and respond to their environment. Achieving this paves the way for applications relating to the most pressing societal and industrial challenges.