Award details

High Value Biorenewables (HVB) Network

Reference	BB/S009701/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Ian Graham
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Anne Osbourn, Dr Joe Ross
Institution	University of York
Department	Biology
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	937,921
Status	Current
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/01/2019
End date	31/12/2024
Duration	72 months

Abstract

Discovering, developing and producing High Value Biorenewable (HVB) feedstocks using industrial biotechnology approaches is a very attractive proposition to industry world-wide, as biorenewables have the potential to supersede environmentally damaging petrochemical derived feedstocks. HVB will facilitate partnership between UK academia and industry, which is essential if we are to fully realise this opportunity for the UK's benefit. We have world-leading academic research in this space and many companies that could benefit from it. Technical expertise in analytical chemistry, phytochemistry, bioinformatics and genomics are essential components in the discovery stage of projects. Biocatalysis, biotransformation and metabolic engineering of host platforms and/or development of cell culture or whole organism production platforms are essential to progress potential opportunities. Other disciplines, like mathematics and computational modelling, can contribute to challenges arising from vast data sets. In addition, environmental and social scientists and economists can study life cycle analysis, consumer acceptance and economics of new processes. Engagement of organisations like the Biorenewables Development Centre and BiopilotsUK can take projects out of the research laboratory in cases where direct uptake/scale-up by industry is not feasible. HVB members will represent many disciplines and cross-disciplinary approaches will be promoted to take ideas beyond proof of concept, so that issues such as scale-up design, freedom of access and regulatory approval are addressed at an early stage. Inspirational leadership will be provided by academic experts in complementary disciplines and a Management Board with a majority of industry representatives. HVB will facilitate networking, identify and fund training in areas of need, inspire new interest and ideas, and evaluate and fund proof of concept research and enterprise activities that are endorsed and supported by industry.

Summary

The High Value Biorenewables Network will focus on the discovery, development and application of bio-based chemicals, tools and platform technologies. Whilst the High Value Biorenewables Network builds on the successes of its predecessor network, the High Value Chemicals from Plants Network, it offers an exciting opportunity to widen the scope beyond plants. This broad scope will enable more biorenewable options to be considered, and consequently, greater likelihood of achieving an industrial biotechnology solution. The Network responds to both the needs of the existing cross-disciplinary community of researchers as well as the desire of industry and society for more biorenewable products and processes. The Network's membership will be open to all, and the benefits will include access to a range of meetings, workshops and training activities. Academic members will be eligible to apply for funding for innovative research (particularly in areas where they are addressing an industrial problem) and will be able to gain support for their enterprise ideas. Initially membership will be free of charge, but we will work towards payment for membership benefits so that we eventually achieve a sustainable funding model. The Network has a strong leadership team, with expertise in biorenewables from across academia and industry. Together with wider network expertise, we will address challenges that are common to the exploitation of biorenewables, such as discovery research, production systems and scale-up. This is essential if we are to achieve our objective of having more biorenewable products and processes. Whilst the High Value Biorenewables Network will have a UK focus to support the bioeconomy and the Government's industrial strategy, it will also have an international aspect promoting the use of UK research capability to address developing world problems and working in collaboration with scientists internationally.

Impact Summary

WHO WILL BENEFIT? The HVB Network aims to expand a cross-disciplinary community of research providers and users, providing an environment for building collaborative work that can address a much wider scope than has previously been possible. An independent consultation of existing HVCfP members conducted in June 2017 provided clear evidence that there is already considerable support from the existing HVCfP membership of academic researchers, technology providers, industry (from large international companies to SMEs) to extend and continue the activities conducted by HVCfP. The expanded scope proposed for the HVB Network will break down barriers and expand the relevance and consequently the impact across both academia and industry. The Network will continue to encourage engagement with the wider public through outreach activities in addition to them being wider beneficiaries of research outcomes from the Network. The Network will also act as an accessible forum for advice to UK and EU policy makers. HOW WILL THEY BENEFIT? Specific benefits for different groups include: 1. For academics: interaction with industry to gain a greater understanding of their needs and how academic research can be of benefit to industry, contact with a wide cross-disciplinary network, access to flexible funding for small-scale proof of concept activities, opportunities for personal professional development, development of research consortia which can construct high quality grant proposals. In addition, early career researchers will benefit from developing their own networks, accessing training and working with senior colleagues on proof of concept projects. The wider scientific workforce such as technicians and technologists will also be encouraged to participate in the new network. 2. For technology providers, HVB will integrate their expertise, particularly seeking advice of how funded projects could be progressed along the Technology Readiness Levels. 3. For industry members, HVB offers the opportunity to provide leadership to guide research outputs through their support of and engagement with proof of concept activity funded through the Network's flexible fund. Consistent with the enthusiasm and support for the HVB network from industry, high value biorenewable products are recognised as being an important component of the IB sector and therefore the UK economy. 4. Policy makers who require evidence for strategies that support the application of IB to further the UK's bioeconomy can access the Network, particularly through the Leadership Team as a panel of experts in this area. 5. The general public will benefit from the outputs of HVB, leading to the sustainable production of novel and innovative biorenewable solutions to existing and emerging challenges. In addition, HVB engagement with this group will enable the uptake of IB research with greater public awareness. FLEXIBLE FUND IMPACT HVB will have substantial funds to award - the funding criteria will ensure that impact is integral to the proposed research, while the flexible award structure will ensure a responsive approach to emerging challenges and opportunities. There are good indications that technology development rates will impact on the overall IB market - therefore the Network's proof of concept funds will have a focus on this area, utilising the excellent resources found within the UK's technology providers, such as BioPilotsUK. High value biorenewables have the potential for major impact on industry and society. The future demand for bio-based products will be driven not only by the reduced availability and increased cost of fossil-based resources but also the potential for new products that cannot be achieved by synthetic chemistry routes alone. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the consumer demand for bio-based products, as more environmentally sustainable alternatives will promote the impact of the HVB's collaborative research.

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Industrial Biotechnology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB) [2013]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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