If you are a researcher interested in learning a new skill or technique, we have funds available to help you. We can provide secondment grants of up to £2000 (UK) or £3000 (overseas), enabling you to visit another academic institution or organisation and learn those skills that are vital to your research. Contact us now for more information.
Biogas Science 2016 – 21-24 Aug 16, Szeged, Hungary
The next meeting in the successful Biogas Science conference series will be held in Szeged, Hungary on 21-24 Aug 16 at the modern conference centre in the University of Szeged in the south-eastern part of Hungary. Topics include the latest and future trends in biogas research and development, industrial applications, life cycle analysis and biogas/biomethane utilisation. More information can be found at http://www.biogas-science-2016.hu
AquaEnviro FOG – Means and Opportunities event – 3 Dec 15 – Wakefield
Since October 2011, Water and Sewerage companies (WaSC’s) have taken responsibility for private sewers and lateral drains that extend beyond a private premises or combine flows from two residences. WaSC’s respond to around 200,000 sewer blockages per annum, with more occurring in private drains. In 2010, estimates were that up to 75% of blockages are caused by Fats Oils and Grease (FOG), hardening within the sewer network creating restrictions to flow. Much of the remainder is caused by flushable products resulting in the flooding of some 3,000 homes per year. On combined sewer networks, FOG and accumulated flushable rags may cause flow restrictions resulting in early discharge to the environment through CSO’s.
Data and information is sparse and FOG formation points in sewer networks are not fully understood. Anywhere where cooking or processing of foodstuffs occur provides a potential source of FOG for instance maintenance records from Dublin indicate that FOG problems occur where there are hot spots of Food Service Establishments. In Dublin, FOG producers are now required to be licenced under trade effluent legislation and in the UK, the Water Industry Act (1991) makes discharge of any material prejudicial to sewer function illegal although WaSC’s do not carry the same licensing powers. Domestic producers make up a significant load of FOG disposed to sewer but this varies with seasons, geographic location and customer information programmes.
FOGs are often associated with waste food and are rich in potential energy materials with calorific values in the region of 39MJ/kg. Changes in energy generation tariffs especially combined with increasing landfill costs have created a resource market from the waste product with FOG being used in: combustion direct for energy, co digestion with other substrates in Anaerobic Digestion and conversion through to Biodiesel. Source separation and independent collection of FOGs from FSE’s has become widespread with the potential to increase to domestic scale collections although mechanisms and benefits have yet to develop fully.
More information can be found on the AquaEnviro website.
SCOPE Bioenergy and Sustainability Report and Policy Brief
The above document, launched at the EU Sustainable Energy Week earlier this year, is available to download here: http://bioenfapesp.org/scopebioenergy/index.php/chapters
More than 100 experts from 24 countries contirbuted to the report, including 15 of the EU’s leading institutions. This 779 page report presents main findings and recommendations on current production, use of bioenergy and growth potential, considering such aspects as land use, feedstocks, technologies, impacts and policies.
Updates from all the NIBB Networks
All the activities from all the BBSRC Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB) have now been collated. This information includes all the Business Interaction Vouchers and Proof of Concept grants awarded by all the Networks thus far, as well as a number of interesting statistics. Download this information at the BBSRC NIBB website here.
RSC Symposium: Renewable chemicals from waste – 20 Nov 15 – London
The Royal Society of Chemistry is holding the above symposium, which looks at “renewable chemicals from waste – securing the molecular value from waste streams”, an initiative supported by the BBSRC. The registration deadline is 6 Nov 15. More information can be found in the flyer: 061550-Renewable Chemicals-A6 Postcard-WEB
Aquaenviro 20th European Biosolids and Organic Resources Conference – 9-11 Nov 15 – Manchester
The European Biosolids & Organic Resources Conference remains the “best technical sludge event in Europe” and gives attendees the opportunity to hear from some of the most high-profile industry experts and network with over 200 like-minded people.
Topics include
- KEYNOTE PAPERS LOOKING BACK AND FORWARD 20 YEARS
- BIOECONOMY AND ENERGY RECOVERY
- P-RECOVERY
- DIGESTATE AND BIOSOLIDS
- DEWATERING AND DRYING
- ODOUR CONTROL
- THERMAL HYDROLYSIS
- ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
- SIDESTREAM PROCESSES
- UK NUTRIENT PLATFORM SESSION
More information and registration can be found here.
Joint FAPESP-BBSRC call: Integrated Biorefinery Approaches for the Manufacture of Advanced Biofuels
The BBSRC has launced this joint call for collaborative proposals in Integrated Biorefinery Approaches for the Manufacture of Advanced Biofuels. More information here: BBSRC FAPESP Advanced biofuels or from the website: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/opportunities/2015/joint-fapesp-advanced-biofuels/
Metals, Synthetic Biology & C1 Gas Scoping Workshop – 12-13 Nov 15 – Canterbury
The cellular ‘circuitry’ that supplies metals to enzymes is a target for Synthetic Biology. Nearly a half of the enzymes in the protein databank contain metals at their active sites. Most of these enzymes will bind wrong metals more tightly than the ones needed for activity. Cell have ‘circuits’ (metallochaperones, metal-importers, -exporters, -sensors, storage proteins, cofactor-assembly pathways) to assist enzyme metalation. There is opportunity to manipulate these circuits to optimise the activities of enzymes in industrial biotechnology and to design novel bio-metallic cofactors. Key enzymes required for the utilisation of C1-gases have especially diverse (exotic) metal demands: The Ni-containing tetrapyrrole F430 in methyl CoM reductase, Cu or Fe in different methane monoxygenases, Co in vitamin B12 associated with various methyl donors enzymes, Fe and Ni hydrogenases, as just a few exemplars. This joint event has been organised by the Metals in Biology and C1net BBSRC NIBB to explore synergy and the scope for joint research.
Registration If you would like to attend this event please get in touch with Charlotte Harrison (email below) ASAP as there are a limited number of places which includes overnight accommodation: C.Harrison-560@kent.ac.uk
Further information is on the on this flyer: Synthetic Biology Event
This is a joint event between Metals in Biology and C1 Net.
Metals related Antimicrobials event – 26-27 November 15 – Durham
Among the candidates for new antimicrobials are metals (see Nature “Bacterial arms race revs up” 402-403, May 2015), chelants, ionophores and agents that interfere with the metal-handling systems of microbes and hosts. This event will highlight advances in understanding the metal-handling systems of microbes, nutritional immunity and why metals are a microbial “Achilles heel”. Examples of ongoing research involving Academia and Industry will be presented but the purpose of the event is to identify new opportunities for Innovation, to initiate collaborations and to understand potential implications of policy regulations. See the flyer: Metal-related antimicrobials event
Registration If you would like to attend this event, please get in touch (email below) ASAP – especially if you want to attend the second day as there are a limited number of places which includes overnight accommodation: metals.bbsrcnibb@durham.ac.uk