News & Updates

The visit was an excellent example of effort across Macquarie University Faculty of Science and Engineering with the visit organised by Yijiao Jiang from the School of Engineering plus lab tours and discussions with the Australian Genome Foundry team. We were pleased to welcome: •⁠ ⁠Prof. Liang Dong – Director, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering •⁠ ⁠Prof. Cheng Huiming – Academician, CAS; Director, Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality •⁠ ⁠Prof. Pan Haobo – Director, Institute of Biomedicine and Technology •⁠ ⁠Prof. Wang Liping – Director, Institute of Brain Cognition and Brain Disease •⁠ ⁠Prof. Fu Xiongfei – Director, Institute of Synthetic Biology •⁠ ⁠Prof. Huang Shuqiang – Director, Institute of Synthetic Biology

Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen, Director of the ARC Centre for Synthetic Biology and the Australian Genome Foundry (AGF) at Macquarie University, and AGF Chief Scientist Dr Briardo Llorente, will lead the Australian arm of the ambitious project to establish synthetic chromosomes in crop plants. The grant supports an international collaboration between Macquarie University, the University of Cambridge, University of Western Australia, and UK-based company Phytoform, with additional support of $450,000 AUD from Bioplatforms Australia.

The Australian Genome Foundry (AGF) was this year granted $11.5 million in funding from the Federal Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), administered by Bioplatforms Australia, to support the AGF’s operations for the next four years. At the official launch at Macquarie University Art Gallery, Vice-Chancellor Professor S. Bruce Dowton welcomed the Member for Bennelong, Mr. Jerome Laxale, who formally opened the Australian Genome Foundry, along with guests including researchers and industry professionals. Established in 2023, the AGF is a cutting-edge facility that uses high-throughput robotics and automated equipment to accelerate synthetic biology research, enabling users to design, build, and test industrial microbes and proteins at scale. Distinguished Professor Ian Paulsen, Director of the AGF, said: “The Australian Genome Foundry brings together a unique combination of equipment for academic and industry users—both within Macquarie and from the wider R&D community—to access and accelerate their research, proving their concept at laboratory scale or building a prototype or a minimum viable product faster. By enabling the first crucial steps in the commercialisation process, we’re helping startups gain the proof of concept needed to raise capital and advance their ideas.” Dr. Briardo Llorente, Chief Scientific Officer of the AGF, added: “The AGF’s high-throughput capabilities enable us to engineer thousands of microbial strains at a time, opening up new avenues for research and innovation across various industries.” The additional funding will allow the AGF to expand its physical capabilities and infrastructure, add 40 new lab benches for startups and researchers, and invest in more advanced equipment to keep pace with the rapidly evolving field of synthetic biology. Belinda Fabian, Operations Manager at the AGF, said: “The funding allows us to retain and develop highly skilled professionals in the field. As synthetic biology applications expand across various industries, maintaining this expertise is vital for Australia’s competitiveness on the global stage.” The AGF’s research spans industries including food and beverage, agriculture, climate change, and energy—enabling significant advances in traditional manufacturing processes, such as upcycling waste products from industries to create value-added products. The AGF’s incubation space for startup companies provides access to state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, and expertise. It is currently hosting five startups. Two companies that have already spun out from this environment by Macquarie researchers are Number 8 Bio, which creates agricultural feed that reduces livestock methane emissions, and HydGene Renewables, whose biocatalyst platform converts abundant waste materials into green hydrogen. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sakkie Pretorius stated: “The Australian Genome Foundry aligns perfectly with Macquarie University’s focus on creation and innovation that contributes to Australia’s future, and we are thrilled to support its groundbreaking work.” The AGF currently offers 15 Master of Research and PhD scholarship positions for industry-relevant synthetic biology projects. Funding for each scholarship is split 50-50 between Macquarie University and a specific industry partner. “The AGF plays a crucial role in positioning Australia to compete globally in an industry projected to have significant economic impact,” Professor Pretorius said. According to Australia’s *Synthetic Biology National Progress Report 2024*, the sector is predicted to be worth around $30 billion in annual revenue by 2040.