Imperial hosts landmark UK-Korea symposium on Engineering Biology

Imperial unites global leaders to drive innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact in Engineering Biology.

Held on 12 June at Scale Space, part of Imperial’s White City Innovation District, the UK-Korea Engineering Biology Symposium marked a major milestone in a growing partnership between the two countries.

The event brought together leading scientists, innovators, and policymakers from the UK and South Korea to deepen international collaboration in Engineering Biology—one of the most exciting frontiers in science and technology. 

Engineering Biology is a cutting-edge field which involves redesigning biological systems—like cells or DNA—to solve real-world problems. It holds transformative potential across health, energy, agriculture, and sustainability.

Driving global collaboration

Co-hosted by Imperial and the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the symposium showcased the two countries’ shared commitment to advancing Engineering Biology. It was delivered in partnership with the British Embassy in Seoul, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Korea Synthetic Biology Association.

The day brought together researchers, start-ups, funders, and government representatives to discuss how joint efforts could accelerate progress—from foundational research to real-world applications.

"This research partnership will enable both countries to collaborate closely, allowing unprecedented access to co-development and sharing of scientific know-how.” Professor Paul Freemont

Opening the event, Professor Paul Freemont, Head of Structural and Synthetic Biology in the Department of Infectious Disease, and Professor Sang-Yup Lee, Vice President of Research at Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), emphasised the importance of long-term international collaboration.

Professor Freemont said: “We are very excited for the potential of this research partnership on Engineering Biology which will enable both countries to collaborate closely on the latest biofoundry developments, allowing unprecedented access to co-development and sharing of key protocols, workflows, and scientific know-how.”

Cementing strategic partnerships

A highlight of the symposium was the signing of two new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), formalising collaborations between:

• Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), KAIST, and the University of Edinburgh
• KRIBB, KAIST, and the University of Manchester

These agreements build on Imperial’s own MoU with KAIST and KRIBB, reinforcing a powerful UK-wide alliance. Together, these institutions now form the UK-Korea International Research Partnership on Engineering Biology, a consortium working to:

• Share research expertise and best practices
• Establish publicly funded biofoundries in both countries
• Drive joint R&D across sectors including healthcare, sustainability, and bio-manufacturing

Real-world innovation

Throughout the day, UK and Korean funders—including DSIT, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and Korea’s National Research Foundation (NRF)—shared insights into national strategies and funding priorities, with a focus on aligning efforts for maximum global impact.

A session chaired by Professor Freemont highlighted Imperial’s strengths in Engineering Biology, featuring presentations by Professors Geoff Baldwin and Karen Polizzi on the university’s interdisciplinary approach, cutting-edge facilities, and track record in bio-innovation.

Industry leaders from both countries also showcased emerging technologies and entrepreneurial breakthroughs. UK start-ups such as Hoxton Farms and Resurrect Bio joined Korean biotech firms including Curiosis and ATG Lifetech to present innovations ranging from cultivated fats to gene editing to enhance crops’ resistance to disease. These case studies underscored the importance of public-private collaboration in turning laboratory research into scalable, real-world solutions.

Looking ahead

The symposium concluded with a networking reception, sparking new connections and reinforcing existing ties.

Backed by DSIT and Korean funding agencies, the UK-Korea International Research Partnership on Engineering Biology represents a bold step forward in global scientific cooperation—with Imperial at the heart of it.

“Increasing funding for our landmark UK-Korea research partnership means more scientists from both countries can drive forward this technology to help us deliver our Plan for Change, supporting healthcare advances". Lord Patrick Vallance

DSIT has also confirmed an additional £250,000 uplift to the UK-Korea research partnership project, a two-year program funded by DSIT’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) through Universities UK International (UUKi). This new funding will expand collaborative capabilities across both countries.

The uplift will support:

• Joint workflow development, enabling more UK researchers to dedicate time to partnership activities and better match the capacity of Korean colleagues who benefit from core institutional funding.
• A strengthened research exchange programme, covering extended placements of up to three months for UK researchers in South Korean partner labs. The funding responds to strong interest from UK PhD students and postdocs and will ensure balanced researcher mobility between the two countries.

UK Science Minister, Lord Patrick Vallance, said: “South Korea has long been a vital partner to the UK on science and technology as a like-minded nation and a fellow world leader in engineering biology.

“Increasing funding for our landmark UK-Korea research partnership means more scientists from both countries can drive forward this technology to help us deliver our Plan for Change, supporting healthcare advances with novel and game-changing treatments for NHS patients, and driving growth for both economies.”

Learn more about the UK-Korea Engineering Biology partnership on the project website: www.ebku.org/en