Biosciences

Invitation to BGI deadly epidemics webinar tomorrow (Wednesday)

2011-09-06T15:43:20Z

BGI are holding a webinar on the role of rapid genome sequencing and open-source data sharing in the global battle against deadly epidemics.

Presentation topics are:

When Food Kills: E. coli in America and Beyond
When Science Fights Back: Can Rapid Genome Sequencing Protect Us?
Tracing Pathogens by Genome Sequencing

Date: Wednesday 7th September 2011 at 9:00PDT / 12:00 EDT / 16:00 GMT

To register for the webinar please go to: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/706822278

Russia’s farming ministry proposes huge investment to increase grain and meat production

2011-09-06T15:07:40Z

Russia’s farming ministry has drafted an ambitious programme for agricultural development for 2013-2020 with the intention of increasing Russia’s grain and meat output and exports. The plan relies on investment of 6.8 trillion roubles ($230 billion) by 2020.

Russia has recently lifted a ban on exports of wheat following a drought which greatly reduced last year's harvest. The draft proposal would see exports of surplus wheat rise from the 20 million predicted in this season to 41.5 million tonnes.

Russia also has a rapidly growing pig and poultry industry.

To find out more please click here.

BioBullets find new way to kill non-native zebra mussels

2011-09-06T14:52:01Z

Please click here to view BBC coverage of BioBullets, an innovative Cambridge company assisted by the Technology Strategy Board and Biosciences KTN, which has come up with a new way to deal with a problem non-native mussel species.

Are UK businesses really de-prioritising innovation?

2011-09-06T12:18:28Z

An all-sector survey of 386 UK companies appears to show limited interest in innovation. Only 9% reported that they collaborate with universities and 38% of respondents felt that innovation was not a business priority within their organisation. To read more about the survey please click here.

However, it should be noted that this survey was taken across all business sectors – as many of our members will attest, Bioscience is an area where innovation and collaborations with academia are much more likely to take place.

China to invest over 2 trillion yuan in biotechnology

2011-09-05T09:03:32Z

A Chinese State Councillor has announced at this year’s International Conference for Bio-economy (Bio Eco 2011that China will spend 2 trillion yuan ($308.5 billion) on science and technology over the next five

To find out more please click here.

Pilot action: ‘A detailed climate change risk assessment for European agriculture and food security’ – letters of intent by 7th Sept

2011-09-04T20:06:40Z

This initiative aims to bring together major European research groups, with existing funding from participating funding organisations in the Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE JPI), in one knowledge hub (network) to foster interaction and synergy between European modellers in the areas of crops, livestock and trade, to look at how climate variability and change impact on these models.

Letters of intent should be submitted by 7th September 2011

For further information please click here to visit the BBSRC website.

OECD’s biotechnology newsletter available to download

2011-09-01T12:45:23Z

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) newsletter provides up-to-date information on activities related to biotechnology at the OECD. Although it is mainly intended for people who are already familiar with certain aspects of OECD’s work, it is also informative for the wider biotech community.

To download the newsletter please click here.

With thanks to @EuropaBio for the link via Twitter.

Government issues a Red Tape Challenge to UK businesses

2011-09-01T12:24:17Z

The UK Government has asked businesses to make suggestions of how to cut red tape and regulatory burdens without affecting its responsibilities to protect the environment.

The environment theme will be in the spotlight on the Red Tape Challenge website from 1st-21st September, focusing on the 287 environmental regulations that apply to businesses, covering issues such as waste, emissions and wildlife protection.

You can leave comments about environmental regulation at www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Source: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/09/01/red-tape-spotlight/

BBSRC follow-on funding

2011-09-01T09:04:17Z

BBSRC has announced its latest call for follow-on funding for ‘proof of concept’ at the very early stage of turning research outputs into a commercial proposition. The funding is aimed at converting an idea into a robust business plan where a route to commercialisation is clear, for example a spin-out (seed or venture finance) or licensing opportunity. Typically grants are for £80K-150K normally over 12 months.

The next application deadline is 10th October 2011

For further information please visit: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/business/commercialisation/follow-on.aspx

New funding call for research into ecology and evolution of infectious diseases in livestock

2011-08-31T14:22:49Z

BBSRC have announced a new UK-US funding call in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for collaborative projects involving researchers from the US and UK under the Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases programme (EEID).

The deadline for applications is 7th December 2011.

For further information please click here to visit the BBSRC website.

Draft Programme available for 'Impact through Biosciences' 2011

2011-08-31T12:25:59Z

We are pleased to announce that the draft programme is now available for the Biosciences KTN Annual Conference 'Impact through Biosciences' 2011. With less than one month to go please register now to secure your place.

When
Wednesday, September 28th 1:00pm -
Thursday, September 29th 3:30pm

Where
Hilton Manchester Deansgate,
303 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LQ
http://www.hilton.co.uk/manchesterdeansgate

Programme
Please click here to download the draft programme

We look forward to welcoming you in Manchester!

Food Industry Challenges Event

2011-08-30T12:58:16Z

Aimed specifically at food manufacturers and the engineering sector, this event will focus on the Food and Drink iNet's ChIEFS (Championing Innovation between the Engineering and Food Sectors) project.

The event will highlight the opportunities and technologies to overcome the challenges facing the food industry and offer the chance for East Midlands engineering companies to network with food businesses that could benefit from their help to solve manufacturing issues.

Why engineering companies should attend?
• Understand the challenges food companies are facing and the opportunities this may present.
• Understand the emerging new technologies and how they will be used.
• Learn how to save energy within your business and develop 'greener' equipment.
• A chance to network with the regions food companies.
•
Why food companies should attend?
• Understand the challenged from a retailer's perspective.
• Understand what the process technologies of tomorrow are and the benefits.
• Learn how to reduce energy costs.
• Learn about the benefits and impacts of lean manufacturing.
•
The event will take place on Thursday 29 September 2011 at the University of Nottingham.

Places are limited. To book please email chiefs@fpfaraday.com or call 01664 420066.

Source: Food and Drink iNet, 26/08/11

Providing greener alternatives to cremation for human remains

2011-08-30T12:09:40Z

I am shortly to remarry so have been redrafting my will (to make sure my new husband doesn't steal all my vast wealth) and so I was intrigued to see this article on developments aimed at providing greener alternatives to cremation that promote recycling of metal from dental fillings and artificial joints (I am planning to have all of these in due course).

Joking apart it is a serious issue that we all need to consider and the environmental consequences of body disposal cannot be ignored, municipal graveyards are running out of space so burial is also an issue. One of the companies featured is a Glasgow-based one so any uptake of such technology worldwide will benefit the UK too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14114555

New genome sequence could improve important agricultural crops

2011-08-29T14:50:22Z

An international consortium of scientists, funded in the UK by BBSRC have sequenced the genome of a plant which could potentially improve the breeding of a host of important food and oil crops. Brassica rapa is chinese cabbage variety which is very closely related to oilseed rape, which is one of the most important oil crops in the world.

Oilseed rape is an unusual hybrid with a large and complex genome made up of both the entire genomes Brassica rapa and another close relative Brassica oleracea. The Brassica group of plants are very closely related and make up 10% of the world's vegetable and vegetable oil production. The sequencing of this important genome will allow insights gained to be applied to other close relatives (including oilseed rape) potentially helping to improve the breeding efficiency of a wide range of crops.

Click here to read the full story

Thank you to the Biosciences KTN

2011-08-26T14:18:07Z

My time has come to an end here at the Biosciences KTN after a successful seven week summer internship. I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank the team here at BKTN for all of their support and guidance throughout my tenure here and encourage members to continue to support growth on our network on _connect.

During the course of my internship we have enjoyed the benefits of 217 new members and a huge increase in activity to the site. I have particularly enjoyed seeing many of you begin to post in your own public areas and I urge all to get involved on _connect and familiarise yourself with the procedures of sharing information and ideas. I hope our members have enjoyed, even benefited from the increased activity and will continue to support a steady stream of information on the website in my absence. My hope is that the Biosciences network will continue to grow in future and help support the great work emerging from UK institutions.

Thanks again to the team, especially to those here at Roslin who have supported me fully along the way.

All the best,

Lucy

The Royal Society's International Exchanges Scheme

2011-08-25T10:24:30Z

The International Exchanges Scheme is for scientists in the UK who want to undertake a collaboration with scientists overseas through either a one-off visit or bilateral travel.

The scheme, directed by the Royal Society covers all areas of the life and physical sciences.

For more information on the scheme including eligibility requirements, value and tenure and details of the application process visit http://royalsociety.org/grants/schemes/international-exchanges/

UKTI Trade Mission to Australia for AusBiotech 2011

2011-08-25T10:10:15Z

Australia is the world's 6th largest biotechnology industry and the largest in the Asia-Pacific region.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Scottish Development International (SDI) are offering UK companies a range of opportunities to attend, exhibit and participate in AusBiotech 2011 to explore the Australian market.

Click here for more information

No lab capacity - no problem. Crowd source your science?

2011-08-24T18:04:46Z

This New Scientist Short Sharp Science article highlights a few interesting websites and services. They are not all about crowd sourcing (at least in the way that I understand crowd sourcing). The sequencing of the E. coli strain from recent German food-borne infections was maybe a good example of crowd sourcing of bioscience.

The most interesting link from the New Scientist article for BKTN members might be Science Exchange. You may have seen some other coverage of the recent launch of this service -describing it as the e-bay for science. You can post a project you want done and bid for projects posted by others. It is new, so we will have to wait and see how popular or effective this approach becomes. Any members on here tried it yet?

These specialist services potentially have a global reach, but it may be that the help or partners you need are closer to home. They may even be visiting _connect today. We have had some success with the partner searches that have been posted on here. You can post them yourselves on your own blog or ask us to post them (anonymously if you like - and we will pass on the responses).

Cleaning the air with nitrogen in the soil

2011-08-24T15:35:44Z

Researchers from the Biogeochemistry Department at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz have found that the self-cleaning capacity of the atmosphere is indirectly strengthened by nitrogen fertilizer.

With an increase in soil acidity, nitrous acid is formed and released into the atmosphere. In the atmosphere nitrous acid forms hydroxyl radicals oxidizing pollutants that are then washed out. The lead scientists of the study are hoping to now quantify this effect in different types of soil.

For more information on the study go here

DuPont and AquaChile Announce Sustainable Aquaculture Partnership

2011-08-23T15:14:30Z

Due to growing consumer demand for healthy seafood, DuPont and AquaChile have joined forces to meet the ever growing need for fish while reducing the impact on the oceans. 60% of the world's salmon comes from fish farms and innovation within the sector is needed to increase supply while lessening global environmental impact.

DuPont have developed yeast rich in long-chain Omega-3s to replace fish oil in the salmon diet. This has the potential to greatly reduce the need for captured fish to provide feed for farmed fish - a major sustainability challenge for an expanding aquaculture industry. This new diet requires less wild fish per kilogram of salmon while maintaining the salmon's health and the nutritional benefits for humans. This approach to aquaculture has been successfully introduced by DuPont in AquaChile's commercial farms. The ability for yeast to produce long-chain Omega-3s, essential for salmon health, is a major innovation from metabolic engineering.

For details on this partnership go here