Trend Engineered cells for drug development and personalised cancer therapy

Summary

In the short term, the report expects researchers to keep developing engineered cells to build functional systems for drug development, disease treatment and personalised cancer therapy. This reflects engineering biology, which designs biological parts such as cells and proteins using engineering principles, extending further into medicine. The report explains that this growth has been underpinned by the human genome sequence, advances in DNA sequencing and synthesis, and falling costs. The UK and other nations treat engineering biology as a strategic priority, and the report sees research and development driving growth in health tech and biotech. At the same time it points out that easier access to the technology is also increasing the risk of misuse.