Engineering Biology Fundamentals

About the programme

Following the success of the Imperial Policy Forum’s courses on artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, we are piloting a new course on engineering biology.  

Engineering biology underpins technologies such as sustainable proteins, synthetic vaccines, engineered cells and microbes, and new biomanufacturing platforms. These capabilities are increasingly central to priorities such as health resilience, biosecurity, food security, economic growth and the net zero transition. 

Drawing on Imperial’s world leading expertise across engineering, life sciences and medicine, the programme combines: 

• accessible lectures from leading researchers 

• seminars focused on public policy implications 

• case studies on real-world deployments 

• visits to laboratories and the Biofoundry at White City. 

By the end of the course, participants will be able to act as informed “expert customers” when commissioning analysis, designing interventions or scrutinising the use of engineering biology in public services and wider society. 

Who is this course for?

The Engineering Biology Fundamentals programme is designed for UK civil servants and public sector professionals of any grade who are: 

• working on, or adjacent to, life sciences, health, food, environment, science and technology, or economic policy 

• involved in research, innovation, regulation, industrial strategy, resilience, or national security (including arms-length bodies, regulators, and parliamentary staff) 

• seeking to build confidence engaging with engineers, scientists and industry on engineering biology  

Participants do not need technical training in biology or engineering. The course is suitable for: 

• policy generalists and scientific officers/advisers who need to understand the fundamentals 

• analysts and economists seeking to ground their work in realistic technical assumptions 

• strategists working on long term plans for growth, resilience and technology adoption 

Impact

What do Fundamentals graduates have to say about our courses? 

‘The integration of diverse topics, perspectives, and content—combined with thoughtful discussion and research-based insights—made it a truly exceptional experience. I found it both highly enjoyable and extremely informative.’ Senior Civil Servant, AI Safety Institute

'As a non-technical professional, I left the course feeling more informed and confident about how models are developed, the key technical considerations, and how I can translate this knowledge into comprehensive policy advice.’ Senior Civil Servant, Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology

Benefits

Participants will: 

• Build a foundation of knowledge in the key concepts and terminology of engineering biology. 

• Understand cutting-edge tools and methods such as bioinformatics, genome engineering, cell engineering and biofoundries, and how they translate into practical capabilities. 

• Explore real-world applications across health, pharmaceuticals, sustainable food, biosecurity, climate and industrial biotechnology. 

• Gain insight into commercialisation pathways, including startups, scaleups and biomanufacturing infrastructure in the UK and internationally. 

• Develop policy relevant frameworks for assessing opportunities, risks, governance and regulation, including responsible research and innovation and dual-use concerns. 

• Engage directly with experts through seminars, Q&A sessions and site visits, building networks across government, academia and industry. 

• Increase confidence in commissioning research, assessing evidence and contributing to strategies on engineering biology, from national initiatives to department level programmes. 

Faculty