BIOTRAINS en route for greener chemical training
EU-funded researchers led by the University of Manchester in the UK are training young biotechnologists to make chemical processes safer for the environment. The BIOTRAINS ('A European biotechnology training network for the support of chemical manufacturing') project is supported under the 'Food, agriculture and fisheries, and biotechnology' Theme of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) to the tune of EUR 4.37 million. Scientists from diverse fields like engineering, process development, microbiology and chemistry are working together to give up and coming researchers the tools they need to develop green manufacturing methods for the chemical industry. 'We have been fortunate to recruit some of the very best postgraduate students from the world to participate in BIOTRAINS,' said Professor Nick Turner, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Biocatalysis, Biotransformations and Biocatalytic Manufacture (CoEBio3) at the University of Manchester. 'The progress that they have made in a relatively short space of time is impressive and bodes well for the future of this training network.' CoEBio3 is the UK's leading research organisation targeting new biocatalyst-based processes that will meet the changing needs of the chemical industry between now and 2030. The group will oversee the technology transfer between academic scientists and industry in order to ensure that the programme meets the needs of both people and technology. The BIOTRAINS partners say the project will drive current efforts to replace conventional chemical manufacturing with 'white biotechnology'. Until now, the chemical manufacturing sector has been dependent on the use of highly toxic chemicals and solvents. White biotechnology will give manufacturers fresh techniques to develop industrial methods that are not only safer than current methods but that do not play havoc with the environment. White biotechnology uses natural biocatalysts to ensure greener activity. Experts say Europeans are familiar with the term white biotechnology, used for the application of nature's catalysts, including cells and enzymes, in biotechnology for industrial purposes. But why 'white'? The researchers say white sets it apart from other biotechnologies currently used by experts, namely green for plant and red for medical biotechnologies. White biotechnology deals with chemicals, biomaterials and alternative energy production. Apart from benefiting our planet, white biotechnology also offers global economies a new option, effectively easing their dependence on fossil fuels. Kicked off in 2009 and due to end in 2013, BIOTRAINS involves 11 partners (Austria, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the UK) from academia and industry. The experts will recruit and train fellows, and six industrial partners will offer placement training. The BIOTRAINS partners say it is important for the new scientists to support the knowledge-based bioeconomy (KBBE) identified by the SUSCHEM (European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry) technology platform. The KBBE is a crucial component of the global economy. Valued at more than EUR 1.5 trillion per year, KBBE will help intensify competitiveness and productivity, protect our environment and social model and boost our well-being. KBBE targets the sustainable use and manufacture of renewable bio-resources, as well as safer, better and healthier food, and secure and sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries production.For more information, please visit: BIOTRAINS:http://www.biotrains.eu/CoEBio3:http://www.coebio3.orgFP7 KBBE:http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/kbbe/home_en.html
Countries
United Kingdom