Conference Overview
A conference to explore potential biotech development using a unique collection of Antarctic microorganisms takes place in Cambridge on 19 November 2009. The world-leading British Antarctic Survey (BAS), together with the UK Biosciences Knowledge Transfer Network, will introduce conference delegates to the largest collection of Antarctic microbial material held in the UK.
Some 1000 living cultures and over 50 000 herbaria and other specimens from a pristine ecosystem that became isolated 30 million years ago, form the core of a collection currently used for scientific investigation, identification and DNA banking. The discovery that Antarctica’s microbial organisms can adapt and survive extreme freezing and thawing has fascinated scientists for decades.
Understanding these biochemical characteristics has led to commercialisation opportunities. During the conference speakers from leading industrial and scientific organisations will present case studies illustrating successful commercial exploitation and development of novel enzymes and biomolecules.
The conference will appeal to researchers and business managers within the nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical and agrochemical biotechnology industries.
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), a component of the Natural Environment Research Council, is the UK’s national Antarctic operator. The Survey conducts a multi-disciplinary scientific programme that is recognised internationally for its excellence. BAS employs 450 staff and operates five research stations, two research ships and five aircraft in and around Antarctica. For more information visit www.antarctica.ac.uk
The Biosciences KTN is a UK TSB-funded Knowledge Transfer Network which brings together bioscientists from industry, biotechnology, plant & crop science, animal genomic sciences and marine & freshwater aquatic sciences. Its integrated approach facilitates and enables cross-discipline networking for the benefit of the UK. The KTN’s Marine Bioresources Special Interest Group initiated and is supporting this workshop. This group has 450 members. For more information visit www.biosciencektn.com
To register your interest in this conference please contact Dr Sam Gallagher at BASWorkshop@isis.ox.ac.uk; Telephone: +44 (0)1865 280863.
