# Dstl

the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory has developed a new "One Health" microbial forensics capability for the UK, supporting the 2023 UK Biological Security Strategy and 2025 National Security Strategy, and solicits innovative proposals through its Biosecurity Frontiers program.


Source: https://en.bioecon.ru/companies/dstl/
Updated: 2026-08-15

- Country: United Kingdom

## Verifiable facts

| Fact | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Affiliation | The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is an executive agency of the UK Ministry of Defence and leads the United Kingdom Microbial Forensics Consortium (UKMFC). | https://www.gov.uk/government/news/enhancing-uk-biosecurity-dasa-launches-microbial-forensics-competition, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-proofing-biosecurity-by-strengthening-the-uks-microbial-forensics-capability/future-proofing-biosecurity-by-strengthening-the-uks-microbial-forensic-capability-competition-document |
| Research focus | One Health microbial forensics, including detection and attribution of biological incidents, pathogens across human, animal, plant, food, and aquaculture sectors, and development of bioinformatics and forensic tools. | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/679a02abaa3a187e2c9dae9c/20241128_DASA_Microbial_Forensics_Webinar_Slides-ALL-O.pdf, https://theanimalecho.woah.org/en/invisible-challenges-visible-action-a-new-one-health-microbial-forensics-capability-for-the-uk/, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/enhancing-uk-biosecurity-dasa-launches-microbial-forensics-competition, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-proofing-biosecurity-by-strengthening-the-uks-microbial-forensics-capability/future-proofing-biosecurity-by-strengthening-the-uks-microbial-forensic-capability-competition-document |
| Facility | The UKMFC laboratory network comprises frontline biosurveillance laboratories across all four nations of the UK, including clinical, veterinary, plant, food, and aquaculture sectors (e.g., UKHSA, APHA, CEFAS, FERA, SASA, PHS, AFBI, QUB, Forest Research). Dstl hosts the Chemical Biological Analysis and Attribution Capability (CBAAC). | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/679a02abaa3a187e2c9dae9c/20241128_DASA_Microbial_Forensics_Webinar_Slides-ALL-O.pdf, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-proofing-biosecurity-by-strengthening-the-uks-microbial-forensics-capability/future-proofing-biosecurity-by-strengthening-the-uks-microbial-forensic-capability-competition-document |
| Grant | A £1 million competition funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) via DASA to fund 4–10 projects, each up to £250,000. | https://www.gov.uk/government/news/enhancing-uk-biosecurity-dasa-launches-microbial-forensics-competition, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-proofing-biosecurity-by-strengthening-the-uks-microbial-forensics-capability/future-proofing-biosecurity-by-strengthening-the-uks-microbial-forensic-capability-competition-document |
| Principal staff | Dr. Simon A. Weller (Technical Authority), Professor Graeme Clark (Chief of Bioforensics and Attribution), Rhiann Coffey (Forensic Working Group deputy lead), Dr. Dan Dorey-Robinson (lead bioinformatician), Jennifer Harris (Senior Project Manager), and Dr. Sarah Lumley (Forensic Working Group lead). | https://theanimalecho.woah.org/en/invisible-challenges-visible-action-a-new-one-health-microbial-forensics-capability-for-the-uk/ |

Independent sources: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk, gov.uk, theanimalecho.woah.org

## Technologies

- [Battlefield bioforensics](https://en.bioecon.ru/technology/battlefield-bioforensics/)