Introducing Natural Products BioHUB, Swansea University
The Natural Products BioHUB engaging with the general public at the Swansea Science Festival 2023.
Natural Products BioHUB, a Swansea University-led collaboration with Swansea City Council is at the forefront of accelerating the green economy through collaboration and fast tracking of innovative research into new products, services and businesses. The NP BioHUB is funded by the UK Government Levelling Up Fund through Swansea City Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Open Fund call. Through a successful application, the project received £587,280, to evolve the Swansea region by creating a greener and more sustainable city.
The Natural Products BioHUB at Swansea University aims to foster innovation and collaboration in the field of natural product research and development. Swansea University offers world leading research expertise in algal and microbial biotechnology, and invertebrate model systems. These research areas form the basis of novel product creation across multiple industrial sectors. The local resources together with analytical, computational, and engineering facilities at Swansea University fit well in addressing industrial challenges in scale up and product development.
By bringing together academic experts, industry leaders, and local stakeholders, a dynamic ecosystem has been created allowing the expansion of knowledge within the field. The project aims to help pinpoint, and potentially solve, challenges within the natural product sector, through facilitating partnerships with industry leaders around the world.
Through its focus on natural products, NP BioHUB is working to drive economic growth through creation of new businesses, inward investment, job creation, and by establishing links with national and international markets. With a strong emphasis on community engagement and the exchange of ideas, the NP BioHUB is more than solely a centre for research and innovation, but also a hub for economic and social development in the Swansea region.
Why natural products?
As the world looks for more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, the inclusion of natural products, the applied use of cells and their products, within the agricultural, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries is expanding rapidly. By adapting to natural solutions, there will be less reliance on synthetic chemicals which will contribute to a healthier and greener environment for the global population. The shift away from harmful chemicals and pesticides allows for greater interest in developing natural solutions and we believe that natural products are the way forward. Not only do they offer a viable and sustainable alternative to chemicals, but they also benefit the planet and human and animal health. Swansea University’s academic expertise has a record of accomplishment particularly in the commercialisation of algal and fungal biotechnologies.
Project aims:
The current project is funded until the end of 2024 and is looking to support green development across the Swansea region.
Working alongside Swansea Council, NP BioHUB aims to:
- Offer research and development expertise to local businesses, including start-ups and spin-outs, in the biotech field to help drive natural products to market.
- Bring together biotech, data science, and robotics companies through networking events and the promotion of natural product developments within the region.
- Improve green infrastructure and allow the public access to more nature-based local products.
- Increase tourism to the area through networking activities, including the eagerly anticipated New IPM Symposium (https://www.newipm.com), taking place in September of this year.
- Encourage relocation of bio-based and biotech companies to the Swansea area through partnerships and opportunities.
- Promote the development of the biophilic building located in Swansea City centre, which will house offices and lab equipment for businesses looking to develop their research and collaborate with other Swansea businesses within the biotech sector.
Our Research:
Swansea University serves as a focal point for translational natural products research, boasting expertise across various key subject areas. The university’s extensive repository of innovative research and solutions forms the bedrock for collaboration between academia and industry. For example, our microbe-based research has had multiple successes in launching and supporting novel products and businesses. Through the NP BioHUB, networking opportunities will be facilitated among stakeholders, nurturing extended R&D partnerships for start-ups and spin-outs, as well as providing access to novel intellectual property for commercialisation.
The proposed Accelerator in Process Engineering offers a platform for businesses to expand with R&D assistance and prototyping proficiency, thereby mitigating risks and enhancing efficiency.
The Accelerator in Analytical Chemistry utilises Swansea University’s Chemistry Department facilities for the exploration and advancement of antimicrobial agents and insect attractants. The establishment of a national natural product library and insectarium, in conjunction with Computational Foundry’s expertise in machine learning and big data, further cements Swansea University’s position as a trailblazer in multidisciplinary collaboration for green innovation.
Impact on the community:
Working with the local community is central to the NP BioHUB mission. We want to ensure our research benefits the health, well-being and economic prosperity of Swansea residents and the wider region. Our project supports UN sustainable development goals, including health and wellbeing, clean energy, innovation, sustainable cities, and climate action. We also work with schools, colleges and other outreach programmes where we illustrate the benefits of our scientific research to the community through events like the Swansea Science Festival.
We are working with local businesses to raise awareness on some of the natural product benefits including:
- The ability to treat and prevent diseases, with 75% of today’s antibiotics being derived from natural products
- Developing microbial plant protection products which don’t have detrimental effects on human health or the environment as an alternative to traditional chemicals
- Their easy accessibility and sustainable nature
- Capturing industrial waste like CO2 from the brewing industry to grow algae
By raising awareness of just a few natural product benefits, we are hoping the community will become better informed and encourage more businesses to follow and make more environmentally conscious decisions.
Vision for Business and Industry support
By working with the businesses and industry leaders, the NP BioHUB has identified the need for establishing an infrastructure to fulfil the needs of emerging and growing businesses. Some examples of these include:
- Spin-out and incubation spaces
- Screening platforms
- Analytical equipment
- Specialised laboratories
- Natural product library
- Ability to network and engage with other businesses within the biotech space through university channels
- Advice and support on IP protection and business, finance and grant applications.
The Natural Products BioHUB exhibiting at the Green Economy Conference in Swansea to showcase their research excellence and the support available for businesses. From left to right: Hamzah Bhatti (Research & Engagement Assistant), Dr Farooq Shah and Dr Abdul Waidi (Project Officer).
Research and industry-led funding opportunities
The feedback from industry highlighted the benefits of working in collaboration with NP BioHUB as a one-stop solution to their R&D needs. Furthermore, Swansea Bay region has a diverse natural habitat offering an abundance of natural materials to study and develop.
Recent developments:
Over the last six months, NP BioHUB has recruited four new members of staff to raise awareness of the BioHUB mission and to better facilitate connections between the university and biotech leaders around the world. There is a strong focus on the upcoming symposium in September 2024, in partnership with IBMA UK, which is looking to attract hundreds of business leaders, academics, and industry experts to Swansea over three days. Current supporters include Koppert, i2L research, and MGK insect control solutions.
Swansea University has recently invested over £1.2 million to refurbish lab spaces within the geography and bioscience departments, which will enhance current studies including the resilience of ecosystems, climate patterns, and plastic-consuming microbes. The university is also proud to be working with local schools by supplying seeded spirulina culture to the ongoing ‘our classroom climate’ programme.
If you’d be interested in working with our NP BioHUB, then get in contact with the team at
Biohub@swansea.ac.uk
All photos: Dr Farooq Shah
Author: Bethan Payne – Faculty of Science & Engineering, Swansea University
For more information visit NP BioHUN website
Published in International Pest Control – Jul/Aug 2024
Category: Company Profile
