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BIOTEK2021-Bioteknologi for verdiskaping

Bilateral collaboration on Industrial Biotechnology between Norway and UK

Awarded: NOK 0.13 mill.

Our project aim to develop research collaborations on enzyme discovery and industrial biocatalysis with two distinct research centres and a multinational company located in the UK. The emerging biobased industry can benefit from enzymes capable of operat ing under a range of conditions including low or high temperatures, pH, salt concentration and pressure, and there is a strong need for novel enzymes with optimized performance. Microbial biocatalytic enzymes, especially of extremophiles, are superior to traditional catalysts, because they allow the performance of industrial processes even under harsh condition. Researchers at SFF Centre for Geobiology (CGB) at the University of Bergen, study such extremophiles at the hydrothermal vent systems located alo ng the Atlantic mid-ocean ridge. The metagenomes from these extreme habitats are a unique source to novel and robust enzymes, representing a tremendous potential for fundamental research and biotechnological applications. This is currently being explored by metagenomic screening at CGB and Centre for Applied Biotechnology at Uni Research in Bergen. Previous meetings with 3 high-ranking UK institutions on enzyme discovery and industrial biocatalysis, have resulted in plans to meet and explore the possibil ity of synergetic research collaborations. The Biocatalysis Centre (Univ of Exeter) focusing on enzyme discovery from extremophiles, involved in metagenomic screening of such enzymes from hot terrestial environments. The Centre of Excellence on Biocatalys is, Biotransformation and Biocatalytic manufacture (CoEBio3) (Univ of Manchester) is designed to provide a world-class scientific environment to develop new biocatalyst-based processes for the industry. Unilever, a multinational consumer goods company, is a major user of industrial biotechnology tools and seeks collaboration on enzyme discovery for concrete use at Unilever. Our project involves two rounds of site-visits and meetings with these UK partners.

Funding scheme:

BIOTEK2021-Bioteknologi for verdiskaping