Australian government to invest A$35 million in synthetic biology research center

In Australia, the government is investing in the development of an Australian biomanufacturing sector that will use biological systems to produce commercial products, creating jobs and business opportunities. Minister for Education Dan Tehan announced the government was providing A$35 million to establish a research center that combines engineering with molecular biology to design and construct biological systems with commercial applications.

The Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology will be led by Professor Ian Paulsen and based at Macquarie University.

Researchers from Macquarie University will collaborate with experts at six Australian universities and 25 academic and industry partner organizations from Australia, New Zealand, Asia and America. Together they will provide an additional A$61.1 million in cash and in-kind support to the center.