Environmental Biotechnology Network

EBNet focuses on large-scale environmental biotechnology for protection, remediation and sustainability of the human/environment interface. The current revolution in biosciences is creating new tools that offer the chance to optimise existing processes and create more sustainable 'future-proof' technologies in new areas of application, targeting both previously intractable problems and new challenges such as emerging pollutants. Successful exploitation depends on combining an enhanced understanding of the fundamental science with an ability to apply this in full-scale engineered systems. EBNet thus aims to strengthen the links between those working at the forefront of microbial genomics, metabolic capabilities and community interactions; and those designing next-generation environmental protection technologies based on sustainable bioprocesses. It will: - Promote a step change in effective interaction between fundamental science and applied process technologies, in both an academic and an industrial context - Establish a platform for academic stakeholders to work closely with industry on developing and assessing new concepts and guiding them towards higher TRL - Identify and stimulate the next generation of academic leaders by providing opportunities for skills development, promotion of interdisciplinarity and team-building - Disseminate concepts to all stakeholders, including government, industry, regulatory bodies, professional and trade associations, NGOs and the public - Extend beyond the UK to meet expanding biotechnology markets, and find solutions to intractable environmental problems worldwide EBNet will achieve this by developing 3 interrelated themes as platforms for engagement, discussion, translational research development and dissemination, which highlight to the membership the diversity and breadth of the Network. They are: Pollutants and media covering both traditional and emerging pollutants; Biosciences to engineering to develop and improve technology for pollution control, resource recovery and bioenergy generation; and Technology interfaces for process integration, techno-economic and sustainability assessment EBNet networking and dissemination activities include an annual industry/academic event which showcases the disciplines needed to create a coherent research community that can explore the field all the way from functionality at a molecular level to the societal implications of introducing new approaches and technologies. Working groups (WG) will identify priority areas and draw on selected participants to ensure cross-fertilisation and the transfer of knowledge between disciplines, translating these into tangible outputs for stakeholders, policy-makers and other actors. Joint events with other Networks have an important function, as all industrial biotechnology applications are likely to have some environmental impact, and joined-up thinking and the design of integrated processes is critical to developing a successful and sustainable bio-economy. Cross-theme workshops will act as sandpits for cross-disciplinary and industry/academic discussion of transitional research developments. There is a strong focus on empowering early career researchers (ECR) with an annual ECR conference, cross-disciplinary skills training, outreach activities, active programmes of inter-laboratory and industry secondments and directly allocated funds for ECR mobility to present work at international events. Flexible funding will be used firstly to promote interdisciplinary translational research that moves laboratory findings closer to industrial application; and secondly to foster industry/academic links by supporting the implementation of new technology through trouble shooting and problem-solving research. EDNet has a strong and robust management and governance plan that has a high level of industrial involvement and reaches out to attract membership of the EB Community worldwide.