A report on opportunities, challenges, and
collaboration in synthetic biology across Australia, China, and India
TOKYO, Feb. 19,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Synthetic biology, an
interdisciplinary and transformative field combining biology and
engineering, is revolutionizing healthcare, agriculture, and
energy. As the world enters this era of "synthetic biology," the
Asia-Pacific region is poised to
become a global leader, driven by emerging trends in synthetic
biology research, patents, and enhanced global collaboration.
A recent report by the Japan Science and Technology Agency,
published in March 2024 by the
Asia and Pacific Research Center
(APRC), details a comprehensive analysis of advancements in
synthetic biology across the Asia-Pacific region. The report explores key
policies, emerging global research trends, and international
collaborations, focusing on Australia, China, and India. It also compared data from the United States with that from Australia, India, and China to understand their collaborative
potential with Japan.
Australia promotes synthetic
biology as a critical technology through initiatives like the
National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA). "With predictions
that synthetic biology will become a $700
billion industry globally by 2040, Australia is positioned to become a
competitive leader in the Asia-Pacific region," reports APRC.
However, the gap between research and commercialization needs to be
bridged for Australia.
China integrates national and
local policies in its synthetic biology strategy, with significant
funding under the 14th Five-Year Plan and the National
Key Research Program, and leads in green biomanufacturing and
efforts towards linking research applications with carbon-neutral
policies. Related trends include development of genetic databases
and moves to nurture journals in biotechnology.
India's National Biotechnology
Development Strategy (2021–2025) and AMRIT Grand Challenge
initiatives highlight a growing interest in synthetic biology,
focusing on health, agriculture, and climate change, with strong
public-private partnerships for industrial applications.
An analysis of global publication trends reveals that prominent
research areas in synthetic biology showed an emerging trend in the
fields of CRISPR-Cas, DNA data storage, and multiplexed genome
editing. Also, according to APRC, "The number of patents
published by China is higher
compared to that of other countries, demonstrating a proactive
stance towards patent applications in the emerging biotechnology
field."
While Australia and
India may not have reached the
same levels of publication as the United
States, China, and
Japan, they have been consistently
contributing in recent years. The APRC report also highlights
overlapping strengths among Australia, Japan, and India in areas like CRISPR-Cas, directed
evolution, and cell-free systems. Collaborative opportunities in
complementary fields, such as codon optimization, DNA data storage,
and bioprospecting, could enhance their global impact. Through
strategic partnerships, these nations can drive sustainable
innovations and address global challenges.
"In a field of intense global competition and rapid
technological advancement, the focus should lie on strengthening
research platforms and intensifying joint research with leading
international research institutions in mutually beneficial
areas," concludes APRC.
Reference
Advances and Challenges in the Emerging
Technology Field of "Synthetic Biology" in Australia, China and India
https://sj.jst.go.jp/publications/researchreports/index.html#fy21_rr05_en
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SOURCE Asia and Pacific
Research Center, Japan Science and Technology Agency
