May 14, 2009

industrial biotechnology

Speakers:
Prof Dianna Bowles, Chair of Biochemistry at the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP), University of York
Prof Nicholas J Turner, Professor of Chemical Biology, University of Manchester
Ian Shott, President and CEO, Excelsyn

Industrial biotechnology encompasses a huge number of applications both within industry and in our everyday lives, including bioplastics to prolong the shelf life of food, enzymes in washing powder for use at lower temperatures, production of insulin for diabetics, and refinement of bioethanol from factory waste. The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation and Growth Team (IB-IGT), an independent body of experts from academia and industry established in November 2007, published their report to government this month, and key contributors presented their findings at the Science Media Centre.