NCRIS + UQ Biofoundry

We aim to make biology useful.

Just like an architectural design studio, but for cells. IDEA Bio is a synthetic biology biofoundry offering services to Australian researchers and businesses — from fermentation to high-throughput strain design.

IDEA Bio scientists working at the BIOSTREAM bioreactor bench
Strain engineering · AIBN, UQ

What is IDEA Bio

A biofoundry for Australian science & industry.

IDEA Bio is an NCRIS and UQ-funded biofoundry offering synthetic biology services to Australian researchers and businesses — from fermentation to high-throughput solutions.

We design the genetic changes needed to scale products from milligrams to kilograms, turning concept ideas into reality.

  • Bioreactors Instrumented fermentation for deep strain characterization
  • mg → kg We design the genetic changes to scale products up
  • Multi-omics Deep cellular characterization & analysis

See inside

A look inside the foundry

From instrumented bioreactors to high-throughput strain engineering — watch how IDEA Bio turns biological ideas into products at scale.

Selected work

Partnering to make biology work at scale

All projects →
  • Array of BIOSTREAM bioreactors
    Industry + Government

    Working with Amyris and the Queensland Government

    Microbial strains are the catalysts turning Queensland’s raw materials and proximity to Asian markets into a $1bn bio-manufacturing industry.

  • 3D render of yeast cells
    Synthetic Biology

    Brewing natural products with yeast

    Replicating the biosynthesis of rare active ingredients in Baker’s yeast — a renewable alternative to overexploiting natural sources.

  • Gas manifold and valves
    Sustainability

    Sustainable carbon with LanzaTech

    We designed our cell factories to consume greenhouse gases and recycle carbon — turning emissions into useful molecules.

Let's build something

Do you have an IDEA?

Tell us what you want to make with biology — we'll help you design, test and scale it.

Do you have an IDEA?