DNA Synthesis at the Norwich Research Park

A new DNA synthesis facility at the Norwich Research Park will build custom genetic sequences to help scientists engineer plants and microbes that produce novel antibiotics, pigments, and other high-value compounds. The facility addresses a practical bottleneck. Researchers who discover a promising gene in a medicinal plant or soil bacterium often need to chemically synthesise that DNA to study it or insert it into a production organism. Without a local, dedicated facility, researchers rely on commercial suppliers, which can be slow and expensive. This centre will give scientists on-site control over the design and production of synthetic DNA, accelerating the cycle of discovery and testing. If the facility succeeds, it could speed up the development of new antibiotics to combat drug-resistant infections, and improve the manufacture of natural colourants and fragrances for the food and cosmetics industries. It will also support genome editing tools, allowing researchers to precisely modify plant and microbial genomes. Beyond immediate products, the facility will enable computational modelling of gene networks, placing it at the intersection of systems and synthetic biology. This is primarily a technology platform that enables other fundamental and applied research, rather than a project with a single practical endpoint.