Professor Patrick Cai elected to the Academia Europaea
We are pleased to announce that from the has been elected to the , one of Europe鈥檚 most distinguished academic institutions. This honour recognises his exceptional contributions to the fields of synthetic biology, genome engineering, and interdisciplinary research across Europe and beyond.
Patrick鈥檚 election into the academy reflects his efforts to develop advanced methods for understanding and engineering biological systems. His work bridges molecular biology, chemistry, and computational design, with a focus on building the tools and infrastructure that enable innovation in biotechnology, it also recognises his leadership in fostering international collaboration and responsible research.
Chief among his international work is his involvement in the , a collaborative research network involving leading universities from Europe, North America, and Asia. This initiative, praised by Nature as a model for global collaboration, provides a platform for researchers to explore fundamental biological questions and develop tools with wide-ranging applications.
From this project Patrick was a key figure in the development of Europe鈥檚 first synthetic yeast chromosome, which serves as a platform for studying genome function and organisation. Rather than constructing life from scratch, this work aims to provide researchers with better ways to investigate how genetic systems behave, evolve, and can be adapted for beneficial use.
Alongside this he is recognised for his involvement in the founding of the , Europe鈥檚 first and largest facility for DNA synthesis and assembly. The Foundry has become a cornerstone of research infrastructure, enabling scientists across disciplines to design and test new biological components more efficiently and reliably.
Patrick鈥檚 research is firmly focused in advancing knowledge, improving safety, and supporting applications in areas such as medicine, sustainable production, and global health. He recognises the need for his work to be grounded in social responsibility and regularly contributes to global policy discussions on biosecurity. He is a respected advisor to bodies including the United Nations and the UK government and his work on safety and governance helps guide the responsible development of emerging biotechnologies.
With over 80 peer-reviewed publications, numerous awards, and academic appointments at institutions such as MIT and the University of Cambridge, Patrick continues to shape the future of life sciences. His election to the Academia Europaea is a well-deserved recognition of his interdisciplinary achievements, international leadership, and commitment to advancing science in the public interest.
We extend our sincere congratulations to Patrick on this significant honour.
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