Vinnova grants for projects in synthetic biology and quantum technology
Anthony Forster, Maria Tenje and Peter Lindblad are three of the UU researchers who have received Vinnova funding for projects in synthetic biology. Photo: Ida Stigzelius
Five projects at the Faculty of Science and Technology have been awarded grants in the Vinnova call "Emerging technology solutions in quantum technology and synthetic biology 2024". Four of the UU projects are in synthetic biology, which accounts for 44 per cent of the call's funding for SynBio projects in the country.
The purpose of Vinnova's initiative is to finance research-intensive innovation projects in the fields of synthetic biology and quantum technology. In addition to reaching a proof of concept for a technology solution, the projects should also be in an early technical phase.
Synthetic biology is an emerging field of research and innovation in the bioeconomy. It draws on advanced research in biology, chemistry, computer science and engineering in order to design and build complex biological systems with functions that do not exist in nature. In this call, Vinnova invited applications within themes such as DNA synthesis, DNA sequencing, gene editing, scale-up methods, as well as from lab to manufacturing.
Quantum technology research is based on quantum mechanics - the physics that describes the world at its smallest scale. The revolution lies in the relatively new ability to control and manipulate individual quantum systems, such as single atoms and light particles. The Vinnova call had a focus on themes in quantum technology: computers, simulations, encryption, communication, detection, as well as metrology.
The following five projects at Uppsala University were awarded funding:
Synthetic Biology:
Project title: Genome Editing Towards Efficient and Robust Green Cell Factories, CyanoEd
Project leader: Peter Lindblad, Department of Chemistry - Ångström
Funding: SEK 1,000,000
Project duration: June 2024 - February 2025
Project title: A small-molecule-dependent vaccine
Project leader: Anthony Forster, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology
Funding: SEK 1,000,000
Project duration: June 2024 - March 2025
Barbara Bourgade.
Project title: Exploiting synthetic biology and microfluidics to determine the mutagenic potential of antibiotics
Project leader: Maria Tenje, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Funding: SEK 1,000,000
Project duration: July 2024 - March 2025
Project title: Establishing a transferable prokaryotic prime-editing tool for search-and-replace gene editing
Project leader: Barbara Bourgade, Department of Chemistry - Ångström
Funding: SEK 970,101
Project duration: July 2024 - February 2025
Shi-Li Zhang.
Quantum Technology:
Project title: High-transparency Schottky contacts in a silicon Josephson field-effect transistor, TransJoFET
Project leader: Shi-Li Zhang, Department of Electrical Engineering
Funding: SEK 1,000,000
Project duration: July 2024 - December 2024
Anneli Björkman