Biotech in Space - IBioIC at Space Comm Scotland 2024

Liz Fletcher introduces the session, with Kim Cameron, and speakers Dr Rosa Santomartino, Dr Aqeel Shamsul, and Dr Geraint Morgan

While space may not be hospitable to life, it certainly offers significant opportunities for the life sciences, specifically biotechnology.

IBioIC’s Liz Fletcher and Kim Cameron hosted a showcase session at the Space Comm Scotland Expo on Wednesday 11 September.

Following an introduction by Liz on industrial biotechnology and the support provided by IBioIC, Dr. Rosa Santomartino, Principal Investigator of the Space Microbiology Group and Co-Director of the UK Centre for Astrobiology at the University of Edinburgh, discussed how biotechnology can enhance the sustainability of space exploration and create new opportunities in areas like bio-mining. Dr. Aqeel Shamsul, CEO and Co-founder of Frontier Space Technologies, presented on his company’s innovative, scalable modular technology which will unlock biotechnology opportunities in space, facilitating the production of high-value bio-products and advancing biopharma R&D. The session concluded with Dr. Geraint Morgan, Associate Director of Commercialisation for Astrobiology at The Open University, who addressed the critical ethical and governance challenges that accompany the scientific opportunities in the space bioeconomy.

The session was well attended and lots of audience members came by at the end of the session for a chat, demonstrating a strong appetite from this nascent sector to engage with our network.

The IBioIC team is excited about supporting advancements in this priority area for the Scottish bioeconomy. For more information, please contact liz.fletcher@ibioic.com or kim.cameron@ibioic.com.