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The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) Annual Report 2025 is now available to download. This report covers key achievements to date and future plans.
Foreword – A few words from our CEO, Professor Jo Slater-Jefferies
The UK biofilms community continues to deliver world-class science and innovation, driving economic growth and addressing some of the most pressing global challenges. At the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC), our mission remains clear: to harness the UK’s academic and industrial strengths in biofilms and translate them into impactful solutions across sectors including health, energy, food, water, and the built environment.
NBIC’s success is built on our ability to convene and connect – across disciplines, sectors, and borders. Our expanding network of over 300 partners, including international collaborators, exemplifies our commitment to fostering inclusive, interdisciplinary innovation. Together, we are advancing a national biofilms programme focused on the Prevention, Detection, Management, and Engineering (PDME) of biofilms, underpinned by cutting-edge research and enabling platforms.
Our strategic priorities continue to be delivered through four core pillars:
Research
We are proud to support a dynamic cohort of Interdisciplinary Research Fellows (IRFs) across our four founding universities. These Fellows play a pivotal role in delivering NBIC’s PDME research strategy, connecting fundamental science with industrial application. Our research agenda is aligned with UK strategic priorities, including the Life Sciences Sector Plan, Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, and the UK 5-Year Action Plan for AMR. NBIC’s leadership in establishing global standards and biobanking capabilities ensures the UK remains at the forefront of biofilm science.
Innovation
Through our Proof of Concept and Flexible Talent Mobility Account programmes, NBIC continues to catalyse academic-industry partnerships and accelerate the translation of biofilm research into market-ready technologies. Our work with regulatory bodies and standardisation organisations is enabling credible product claims and supporting the development of harmonised biofilm standards across sectors. We are proud to deliver the Innovate UK ICURe programme with SETsquared, supporting early-career researchers to explore the commercial potential of their innovations and accelerate the journey from lab to market.
Training
Our national Doctoral Training Centre in Biofilms Innovation, Technology and Engineering (BITE) now integrates both academic and industry-led training, equipping the next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs with the skills needed to lead in the UK bioeconomy. NBIC’s bespoke technical modules and entrepreneurship programmes ensure our students and partners are prepared to tackle real-world challenges.
Policy and Public Engagement
NBIC is committed to shaping policy and raising public awareness of biofilms. From presenting at the House of Commons to leading international standardisation initiatives, our influence continues to grow. Our public engagement activities – including the #BiofilmAware campaign, interactive exhibitions, and educational resources – are inspiring citizens and future scientists across the UK.
As we move forward, NBIC remains agile, responsive, and ambitious. We are united in our vision: to deliver transformative science and technologies for controlling and exploiting biofilms, and to empower the research leaders and innovators of tomorrow.