PREVENT Lead Organisation: University of Liverpool DETECT Lead Organisation: University of Southampton MANAGE Lead Organisation: University of Nottingham ENGINEER Lead Organisation: University of Edinburgh Over the past 8 years we have established a national research agenda addressing the PDME themes in collaboration with our academic and industry partners and in consultation with end users. Our thematic and sector roadmaps identify a clear path to successful creation of value from biofilm research. Our model harnesses NBIC’s world class underpinning research and infrastructure by dedicating the resource of our Interdisciplinary Research Fellows (IRFs), who support the NBIC fundamental research and training strategy (60%), connecting this knowledge with industry by working collaboratively on R&D projects (40%). Through its PDME framework, NBIC integrates interdisciplinary science and industry collaboration to accelerate innovation, translation and adoption across strategically important sectors and industrial challenges. Our Research Strategy also aligns strongly with emerging UKRI structure and priorities, positioned at the forefront of the translational ‘Bucket 2’ space while also driving ‘Bucket 3’ innovation infrastructure and economic impact agendas. Our key sectors within the UK Modern Industrial Strategy are Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing and Digital and Technologies IS-8 Sectors and the convergence of Engineering Biology and AI-enabled development of biofilm technologies. Our work contributes to multiple leading UK sectors, including health, marine, net-zero, circular economy, defence, food and water security. We address cross-cutting biofilm technology challenges across PDME which have been identified through our engagement activities: (i) A linked platform of integrated imaging techniques across scales-from atoms to biofilm communities - integrating physical, engineering and life sciences; (ii) Real-time, non-destructive monitoring and advanced imaging technologies and biomarkers for biofilms, available for clinical use and competitively across industrial process applications; (iii) Integrated multi-‘omics to understand polymicrobial interactions within biofilms; (iv) Spatially resolved and addressable delivery and monitoring of new interventions within biofilms; and (v) De novo engineering of polymicrobial communities for targeted, sector-specific applications. These state-of- the-art enabling platforms will deliver transformative impact in biofilm research and innovation across our PDME themes. Interventional Themes PREVENTION, DETECTION, MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING OF BIOFILMS (PDME) PREVENT DETECT MANAGE ENGINEER Intelligent responsive surfaces/coatings from nano to micro level Real time non-destructive biofilm in situ detection Cross-sectoral technology integration to manage natural biofilms Engineer bespoke microbial communities for required outputs Advanced/integrated imaging across scales Integrated multi-omics Spatially resolved delivery systems Bespoke biofilm models/manipulation Artificial intelligence/modelling Biofilm standards STRATEGIC THEMES ENABLING PLATFORMS ADDRESSING BIOFILM CHALLENGES GRAND CHALLENGES NBIC’S PDME RESEARCH STRATEGY DELIVERING GLOBAL IMPACT Food security Healthcare Clean water & sanitation Affordable clean energy Economic growth Industry innovation Reduce inequalities Climate change 28
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