BioGrad is spearheading efforts to place £10.5 million worth of donated PCR equipment by the end of 2025, with £6 million already delivered across the UK.
BioGrad, a leading UK biotech and scientific training company based in Liverpool, has spearheaded the donation of over £6 million worth of advanced laboratory equipment to educational institutions since summer 2025. The initiative was made possible through a strategic partnership that enabled the nationwide transfer of PCR machines. It plans to increase this to £10.5 million by year-end, supporting the UK’s ambition to become a global science and technology superpower by 2030.
Aligned with the UK Government’s Science and Technology Framework, which emphasises developing talent pipelines and lifelong learning to keep pace with technological change, BioGrad is focusing on addressing regional disparities in science funding. Unlike the Government’s recent £54 million Global Talent Fund, which excludes institutions north of Birmingham, BioGrad’s campaign is open to educational institutions across the UK. The campaign prioritises support for universities and schools in the North, particularly within the Northern Arc.
Many institutions are currently limited in their access to laboratory equipment due to budget constraints, impacting undergraduate teaching, postgraduate research, STEM clubs and science teacher training. BioGrad is helping bridge this gap by leading the donation of Genesig Q16 Real-Time PCR machines to recipients including Lancaster University, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Edinburgh Napier University — enabling hands-on training in DNA and RNA testing. The first delivery in June 2025 reached Southport Education Group and Southport Learning Trust, engaging more than 9,500 students.
The ARTIC Network, a Wellcome Trust-funded Collaborative Award delivered by researchers at University of Cambridge and University of Birmingham, will also benefit from use of Genesig Q16 Real-Time PCR machines for training in Africa to help lower gene sequencing costs during disease outbreaks, strengthening preparedness for future emergencies.
“The delivery of these PCR machines will significantly enhance our ability to train aspiring scientists across a wide range of disciplines,” said Professor Andrew Pomiankowski, Director of Biosciences, University College London. “We are immensely grateful to BioGrad for recognising the huge value of state-of-the-art equipment in laboratory and fieldwork, and supporting our educational activities with this generous act of philanthropy.”
Equipment provisions are accompanied by guest lectures from Dr Natalie Kenny, CEO of BioGrad, covering life sciences opportunities, BioGrad’s Women’s Health Research Biobank and the importance of laboratory skills in career development. Institutions have praised the donations for enhancing practical training and career preparation in biotechnology and biomedical sciences.
“The University of Hertfordshire is immensely grateful to the BioGrad group for this donation of PCR machines,” said Dr Simon Baines, Head of Biosciences, University of Hertfordshire. “This will transform our ability to deliver high-quality, hands-on molecular biology training for our postgraduate and undergraduate students; positively impacting the education and skills of 3,500 students over the next 10 years.”
BioGrad’s initiative is having a tangible impact across schools and universities, enhancing engagement and bringing science to life through real-world applications. These efforts are inspiring the next generation of scientists and supporting lifelong learning while helping the UK workforce keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
