Engineering Biology for future farmed animals Our research applies engineering principles to design and modify biological systems to improve animal health, productivity, and sustainability. This includes everything from enhancing natural traits through genetic technologies to developing entirely new biological approaches. Our hub spans the full innovation pipeline, including Target Discovery and Validation, Tractable In Vitro Models, Reproductive Technologies and Genome Engineering, to enhance real-world applications in livestock farming.Discover real-world examples of our workExplore our Research InfrastructureLearn how we approach Ethics and Policy Discover how the Engineering Biology Hub for Future Farmed Animals is shaping the future of livestock science. In this video, Professor Mark Stevens explores the Hub’s key research themes. Target Discovery & Validation Understanding the genetic basis of desirable traits is critical. While genome-wide association studies (GWAS) highlight regions linked to traits, pinpointing the causal genes or variants remains a challenge. The Engineering Biology Hub addresses this through: Targeted and genome-wide gene modulation – silencing, activation, or inactivation to explore gene functionReporter assays and multi-omics platforms to study regulatory elements and gene expressionAI model training using large datasets to predict causal variants, enabling more precise genome engineering and informing selective breedingFind out more - CRISPR Screens Reveal Pig Genes Essential for African Swine Fever Infection Tractable In Vitro Models To test gene function and regulatory mechanisms, the Engineering Biology Hub develops scalable, high-resolution biological models, including: Cell-based systems (primary and immortalised lines)3D tissue cultures and organoids representing complex phenotypesGene-editing-ready models, with built-in editing enzyme expressionAdvanced protocols for high-efficiency delivery of genome editing reagentsThese platforms bridge the gap between prediction and validation in a controlled, ethical, and efficient manner.Find out more - Cell-Based Models for Infection and Immunity Reproductive Technologies Accelerating genetic improvement requires parallel advances in reproduction. The Engineering Biology Hub pioneers: Gamete derivation from stem cellsIn vitro fertilisation (IVF) and embryo transfer protocolsSurrogate host technologies – replacing native germ cells with donor or edited cells, enabling efficient genome engineering and long-term preservation of genetic resourcesFind out more - Avian Surrogate Host Technology Genome Engineering The Engineering Biology Hub is a UK leader in genome editing and transgenesis for farmed animals, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through: Next-generation editing tools – including base-editing, prime-editing, and multiplex strategiesHigh-throughput phenotyping platforms to measure the impact of edits at scaleFind out more - Engineering PRRS-Resistant Pigs This article was published on 2025-10-21
