Portsmouth-Driven Initiative to Fast-Track Nucleic Acid Innovation Across Sectors

New National Network to Unite UK Experts in DNA and RNA Research

The University of Portsmouth is leading a significant UK initiative to advance DNA and RNA research through science and innovation. This initiative will provide a platform and create a network by connecting scientific and academic experts from various disciplines such as biology, engineering and government sectors. The project has secured £917,000 in funding, with £267,000 contributed by industry partners and £650,000 from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Apparently, scientists increasingly work solo or in small teams when using DNA and RNA technologies. The idea of this new network is to foster collaboration between fields such as molecular biology, computational biology, chemical biology, and bioengineering. It is thought that with the efforts of this new network, innovations would speed up, benefiting agriculture, medicine, environmental solutions, and possibly even information technologies.

Formed at the instigation of Portsmouth academics, the Nucleic Acids Innovation Network will unite scientists, engineers, and innovators from across the UK and will work closely with partners from the Universities of Edinburgh, Newcastle, Sheffield, Strathclyde, and York. The aim is to create a shared space for fundamental and applied research and develop a fast track for the translation of concepts from the laboratory to the marketplace.  Professor Anastasia Callaghan of the University of Portsmouth stated that the UK leads the world in nucleic acid research, but there hasn't been a formal organisation to bring the different fields together. According to her, the new network would assist in removing these obstacles and promoting ground-breaking studies that have a multiplicity of applications.

Dr David Rusling, also from Portsmouth's School of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Sciences, announced that all network events would be free to attend. Small grants will be available for proof-of-concept research, and bursaries will be provided to support participation and travel. The purpose of these actions is to ensure that researchers at all stages of their careers can access the network. Dr Thomas Howard of Newcastle University went further by asserting that the program would aid in the fostering of transparency and knowledge sharing, especially in the area of inclusion and training. He emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for undergraduate students and researchers in their early careers, especially those who pursue postgraduate degrees in biological engineering or biomedical science courses here in the UK.

According to Professor Alice Pyne of the University of Sheffield, the network offers an opportunity to spur growth in a variety of industries, including biotechnology, diagnostics, and innovative academic research. She pointed out that industry support, from multinational corporations to UK startups, reflects the broad interest in DNA and RNA innovation. The network will facilitate a variety of events, such as working groups, webinars, workshops, mentoring, and placements. Additionally, it will promote policy input, public participation, and the release of best practice guidelines. It is pertinent to those pursuing degree programs in the life sciences or studying environmental science courses for international students because of its focus on RNA-based therapies, DNA nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and environmental applications.

The network is anticipated to grow into a significant component of the global university network that supports study abroad programs and cutting-edge research, with its leadership dispersed throughout the leading science and research universities in the UK. Interested attendees can visit the Innovation Across Nucleic Acids UK LinkedIn page to find out more about the University of Portsmouth's DNA and RNA innovation funding program and to apply.

Editor’s Note:

The launch of the Nucleic Acids Innovation Network, led by the University of Portsmouth, marks a decisive and overdue shift in how the UK approaches DNA and RNA research. With £917,000 in combined funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and industry partners, this initiative is not just about science; it’s about structure, strategy, and speed. For too long, researchers working on nucleic acid technologies have been scattered across disciplines, institutions, and sectors, often operating in silos. Despite the UK’s global standing in biological sciences and molecular biology, there has been no formal mechanism to unite these efforts. This network directly addresses that gap, creating a national platform for collaboration across academia, industry, and government.

The University of Portsmouth, working with other leading universities, shows a strong commitment to teamwork and shared leadership. The network is easy to join, offering free events, travel support and most importantly, small research grants. This helps young researchers, students studying biomedical science, and those doing advanced degrees in biological engineering to take part and benefit fully. The network's ambitious scope is particularly exciting, encompassing fields such as RNA-based precision medicine, DNA nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and computational biology. This interdisciplinary approach is designed to foster innovation that delivers tangible, real-world benefits, including advancements in smart agriculture, cleaner manufacturing processes, more intelligent diagnostics, and improved IT solutions, rather than pursuing theoretical science in isolation. For the international student wishing to explore environmental science courses or trying to find the best institution in the UK for computational biology studies, this network gives a good reason to look toward Portsmouth and its partners.

Skoobuzz views this initiative as a bold, well-funded, and well-structured intervention at a critical time-unlike anything else in the UK with respect to life sciences and in relation to the broader agenda of global university networks, and, indeed, that of science and innovation. If this succeeds, it will radically alter the way nucleic acid research gets done, redefining how collaborative academic research can effect change in society.

FAQs

1. What is the University of Portsmouth known for?

The University of Portsmouth is well known for its strong focus on practical learning, industry links, and research that solves real-world problems. It has a growing reputation in science and innovation, especially in biological sciences, environmental studies, and biomedical science courses. The university also leads major research projects in DNA and RNA, including the new UK-wide Nucleic Acids Innovation Network.

2.How is DNA and RNA research funded in the UK?

DNA and RNA research in the UK is mainly funded by government research councils such as the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Additional support often comes from industry partners, universities, and innovation grants. For example, the University of Portsmouth recently received £917,000 in combined funding to build a national network for DNA and RNA innovation.

3.What are the top biological science courses in the UK?

Some of the best biological science courses in the UK are offered by universities with strong research backgrounds.

These include:

• University of Oxford – known for life sciences and molecular biology

• University of Cambridge – offers advanced biological and biomedical science degrees

• Imperial College London – strong in biotechnology and bioengineering

• University of Edinburgh – offers excellent postgraduate degrees in biological engineering

• University of Portsmouth – offers practical and research-led biological sciences and biomedical science courses

4.Where can international students study molecular biology?

International students can study molecular biology at many UK universities that welcome global applicants. Popular choices include:

• University of Edinburgh

• University of Manchester

• University of Sheffield

• University of Portsmouth

• University of Glasgow

These universities offer degree courses in life sciences and are part of the global university network supporting study abroad programmes.

5.Which UK universities support science research?

Many UK universities are known for supporting science and research. Leading institutions include:

• University of Oxford and University of Cambridge – world leaders in academic research

• Imperial College London – strong in engineering, medicine, and science

• University of Edinburgh – active in biological sciences and computational biology

• University of Sheffield – known for chemical and biological engineering

• University of Portsmouth – rising in science and innovation, especially in DNA and RNA research

• These universities are part of the UK’s science and research ecosystem, helping to drive innovation across health, environment, and technology.