The first Scottish Engineering Biology Research Community Meeting ran on Thursday 7 May 2026 in the Nucleus Building at The University of Edinburgh. Dr Elise Cachat welcome and introduction Led by Dr Elise Cachat, Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences and Director of Community and Culture, Centre for Engineering Biology (CEB), this event showcased the ground-breaking Engineering Biology research taking place across Scotland, allowing researchers from different Scottish institutions to network across disciplines, institutions and career levels.Prof Louise Horsfall, Chair of Sustainable Biotechnology at The University of Edinburgh, and member of the Scottish Science Advisory Council (SSAC) set the scene with an overview of the recent SSAC report – Engineering biology: Opportunities for Scotland The event demonstrated the strength and breadth of expertise within Scotland’s vibrant EngBio academic community, encompassing world-leading experts and research facilities. With around 100 participants the day-long meeting included presentations, flash-talks and posters organised around the four National Engineering Biology Programme themes: Biomedicine, Clean Growth, Food Systems and Environmental Solutions. The meeting was supported by the Roslin Engineering Biology Hub, the Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, the Centre for Engineering Biology, the Carbon-Loop Sustainable Biomanufacturing Hub, the Engineering Biology for Advanced Therapeutics Hub.Partner institutions included University of Strathclyde, Heriot-Watt University, University of Glasgow, IBioIC, SULSA. Next steps Feedback from the event emphasised the value of establishing a Scotland-wide Engineering Biology research community for building collaborations, sharing expertise and job opportunities and accessing facilities. Some individuals have volunteered to help organise future activities – more help is always welcome! If you are interested please get in contact. Contact us Publication date 26 May, 2026
