New opportunities for green biotechnology

Anna Amtmann, Professor of Molecular Plant Physiology within the Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, has been appointed as Co-Director of Algae UK, one of six Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB), a joint £11M investment by the BBSRC and EPSRC with the aim of moving the UK to a low carbon economy. Image of academic presenting a lecture

From seaweed to metals, these multidisciplinary networks will drive new ideas to harness the potential of biological resources for producing and processing materials, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and energy. The NIBBs are funded for 5 years and will support networking events, proof-of-concept grants and training. Professor Amtmann will be responsible for giving more focus to the emerging area of cyanobacterial synthetic biology.  

Professor Amtmann commented: “Glasgow has a long-standing reputation in photobiology research.  Over the last year, we have taken an active role in bringing together UK academics working on cyanobacteria and linking with industry. For example, this September we organised and hosted the first ‘UK Cyanonet’ meeting, and the highly interactive event has already generated new collaborations and grant applications. I am really pleased that Algae UK will give us an opportunity to promote and develop the potential of photosynthetic bacteria as ‘green E. coli’ of future low-carbon biotechnology”.

First published: 10 December 2018

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