The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s (BBSRC) Prosperity Partnerships bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical industry solutions to tackle complex challenges such as environmental sustainability, health and food security.
The programme’s second phase sees BBSRC investing £6.5 million into four new research projects, which is matched by a £9 million investment from business, bringing total funding to £15.5 million.
What are prosperity partnerships?
BBSRC’s prosperity partnerships are all about collaboration. They bring together top UK researchers and businesses to solve big problems through long-term research partnerships. By pooling resources, skills and insights, these partnerships aim to create innovative solutions that can move industry forward, improve lives and enhance economic growth.
The initiative’s first round of funding in November 2023 focused its investments on projects like sustainable textiles, advanced cancer therapies and inclusive research into skin health.
Now, in round two, BBSRC is backing four ambitious projects that aim to tackle major global challenges ranging from sustainable food storage to antimicrobial resistance.
Salmon health and Scottish sustainability
Scotland’s farmed Atlantic salmon industry is a powerhouse, contributing £760 million annually to the Scottish economy (PDF, 800KB) and supporting more than 2,500 jobs. However, warming oceans and outbreaks of disease are putting pressure on this vital sector.
Enter the SalmoStrong project, a prosperity partnership between the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute and Mowi Scotland, designed to tackle these challenges head-on.
Over the next decade, the project aims to reduce salmon mortality rates by 50% during seawater production by making breakthrough advances in scientific understanding and applying them to farming practices.
The focus is on breeding and maintaining fish populations that are robust and well-adapted to Scottish farming conditions, ensuring they thrive even as environmental pressures mount.
Beyond improving fish welfare, SalmoStrong is laying the groundwork for the future of sustainable aquaculture in Scotland. With community engagement and workforce training as key pillars, the partnership is fostering a new generation of aquaculture specialists, equipped to lead the industry towards sustainability and resilience.
Smart tech to fight fatigue
Mental fatigue affects everyone. From shift workers to students, it can seriously impact productivity, safety and wellbeing.
Now, the EyeWarn project seeks to tackle this challenge by using cutting-edge technology to study cognitive strain in real-world environments. The prosperity partnership between Solvemed Limited and the University of Essex will undertake ground-breaking research to analyse data from nearly 1,400 participants collected using Solvemed’s mobile eye-tracking system.
The aim is to uncover how eye movements such as gaze patterns and pupil dilation reflect mental fatigue and cognitive processes. Using explainable artificial intelligence, the project will forecast fatigue levels and offer new insights into how cognitive strain affects behaviour.
Solvemed’s US Food and Drug Administration approved technology offers a practical, mobile solution for collecting data outside of laboratory environments, making it ideal for real-world application.
With a wide range of potential uses, the EyeWarn project is not only laying the foundations for industry-wide innovation, but also paving the way to deliver safer, more productive workplaces.
Fresher potatoes, greener processes
Potatoes are a British staple but keeping them fresh all year-round is no easy feat. In fact, meeting consumer demand requires long-term storage of around 1.5 million tonnes of potatoes each year. This challenge has become increasingly difficult due to changing industry processes.
With BBSRC funding, a new prosperity partnership between PepsiCo, Solynta and Cranfield University could help overcome this challenge.
Using advanced genetic research and Solynta’s hybrid breeding technology, the Enhancing Potato Dormancy project aims to create potato varieties that stay dormant for longer, even at higher temperatures, while reducing energy use and waste.
Innovative tools like high-resolution imaging and electric signal monitoring will detect early sprouting signs, while PepsiCo’s farm operations expertise will ensure practical storage improvements. By combining genetics, technology and industry know-how, this project aims to support a year-round potato supply and a more sustainable agricultural future.
Next-generation solutions for antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
AMR represents a significant threat to global health, making some infections nearly impossible to treat by rendering antibiotics and similar treatments ineffective.
To address this major challenge, Arch UK Biocides, The University of Manchester and the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s ISIS Neutron and Muon Source are diving into the science behind biocide and microbial interactions.
The project will explore how biocides, a key ingredient in disinfectants and cleaning products, work at a molecular level to target harmful microbes. This research aims to identify the mechanisms behind their effectiveness and understand how they can be improved to counteract antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The outcome is safer, more effective products that can protect hospitals, food production facilities and homes while reducing the spread of resistant infections. The team’s findings could pave the way for a new generation of biocidal products that tackle AMR and safeguard public health for years to come.
Innovation with impact
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, BBSRC Executive Chair, said:
Antimicrobial resistance, sustainable food storage and workplace fatigue aren’t just scientific challenges, they’re human challenges. By investing in bold and ambitious collaborations through innovative programmes such as BBSRC’s Prosperity Partnerships, we’re harnessing the UK’s world-class business and academic expertise, bringing it together to tackle these pressing issues head-on.
From improving food security to advancing healthcare solutions, this latest round of funding demonstrates innovation with impact. Impact that will improve lives, safeguard industries and set the stage for a healthier, more sustainable future.
A model for long-term collaboration
BBSRC’s prosperity partnerships form part of a broader effort to boost private sector investment in research. Representing a total investment of £60 million to date, these projects are paving the way for the next generation of bioscience breakthroughs while fuelling economic growth.
Whether it’s protecting salmon, preserving potatoes or safeguarding public health, these partnerships are delivering real solutions to global challenges. By prioritising collaboration and innovation through long-term research partnerships, BBSRC is ensuring the UK remains a frontrunner in bioscience research and innovation for years to come.
Collaborate with BBSRC
If you are interested in partnering with BBSRC to drive bioscience innovation, you can:
- learn more about our business collaborations and opportunities
- email us at business.unit@bbsrc.ukri.org
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