The Age of Bioscience: BBSRC's Strategic Plan 2010-2015

The 21st century will be the age of bioscience. A biological revolution is unfolding in the same way that advances in physics shaped the early 20th century and great leaps in electronics and computing have transformed our lives over the past 40 years.

New tools and technologies, advances in computation and multidisciplinary approaches are changing the way in which bioscience is undertaken. Never before have researchers had such large data sets and been able to explore such a range, depth and complexity of questions about living systems and how they function.

BBSRC has a unique and central place in supporting the UKs world-leading position in bioscience. Our funding for research and training provides knowledge and skilled people thereby making major contributions across society and the economy. Excellent bioscience drives advances in medicine and health, green materials, new pharmaceuticals, and safe and nutritious food; it leads to more sustainable agriculture, helps to combat infectious diseases and underpins responses to climate change.
Strategic Plan
Light micrograph (Elodea sp) showing chloroplasts

In the coming decades bioscience will be at the heart of providing solutions to major challenges facing humankind such as * feeding 9 billion people sustainably by 2050 * developing renewable low carbon sources of energy, transport fuels and chemicals to reduce dependence on dwindling oil reserves * staying healthier for longer as lifespans increase and society ages

Building on strength, this 5-year Plan continues to move UK bioscience forward to exploit new and exciting ways of working and thinking. We will ensure that UK bioscience stays world-class and delivers significant social and economic benefits. The rate of progress will depend on our future budget but support for cutting edge bioscience and skills will remain the overarching priority.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• science
• bioscience
• research
• research council
• UK
• funding
• strategy
• review
• plan
• strategic plan
• BBSRC
• 2010
• 2015