The workshop facilitated discussions having a common interest in industrial biotechnology and to explore possible partnerships
Sachin Jagdale – Mumbai
The UK Science and Innovation Network of British Deputy High Commission recently conducted a workshop on industrial biotechnology in Mumbai. The UK-India workshop facilitated discussions among researchers, funding agencies, companies and government officials, having a common interest in industrial biotechnology and to explore possible partnerships. The key topics that were discussed during the workshop were enzymes, fermentation, bio – resources (biofuels), bio – pharmaceuticals (drugs, vaccines) and bio-process engineering.
Colin Wells, Deputy Head of Mission, British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai, gave the opening remarks. He categorically mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to England, which has propelled confidence building measures between both the countries. Such steps are going to pave a way for collaborations in the field of industrial biotechnology.
Ian Stanton, Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC), UK, briefed the audience about BBSRC’s support for industrial biotechnology and opportunities for UK-India collaboration. He discussed how industrial biotechnology and bio energy are important for environment, economy and health.
Dr Arvind Lali, Centre of Energy Biosciences, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, informed the audience about Institute of Chemical Technology’s platforms for bio-based bio-refineries to convert waste into value. Nigel Minton, BBSRC, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), Nottingham, UK, talked about sustainable production of chemicals and fuels through synthetic biology.
Dr Sanjay Nene, CEO, Innovation Biologicals, Pune, gave a speech on experiences on using integrated membrane bioprocess which generated enough curiosity among the audience. Dr Richard Alldread, The Centre for Process Innovation, UK, talked about the technologies used to manufacture new generation bio-pharma. Alldread said, “Geography, product diversity, time and cost are forcing change in biopharma manufacturing. Future manufacturing is driven by innovation. Technologies are going to significantly impact manufacturing processes. There is an increased pressure on biopharma industry to manufacture products in a different way.”
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