GLOBAL: New biotechnology partnership

Leah Germain 02 May 2010

The United Nations International Development Organisation has launched a new partnership to jump-start the creation of new biotechnologies. The International Industrial Biotechnology Network will aid research institutes, industry and regulatory bodies to develop new innovations that can boost future sustainable industries.

The IIBN aims to expand the use of biological resources in different sectors by finding new applications for biotechnology techniques and processes designed for a particular industry but potentially useful for other business sectors. UNIDO is appealing for public research institutes, universities, companies and regulatory bodies to join the initiative, to help them forge collaborative ventures on specific topics.

"We need to create strong linkages between agriculture and industry and the importance of applying science and technology to agricultural production processes," said Kandeh K Yumkella, director general of UNIDO, who co-hosted the launch of IIBN in Vienna with the Institute of Plant Biotechnology for Developing Countries at the University of Ghent in Belgium.

IIBN will receive EUR1.25 million (US$1.65 million) as seed money over the next five years from the Flemish Ministry for Innovation, Public Investment, Media and Poverty Reduction. It is hoped that future members of the network will contribute to ensure its long-term sustainability.

"In order to ensure their financial viability, partners are required to provide co-financing," says George Tzotzos, head of the UNIDO biotechnology programme. "Co-financing is mandatory to ensure that all participating entities share ownership of the projects thus ensuring their financial sustainability."

"Recent phenomenal scientific and technological advancements allow us to tap into the economic value of hitherto under-utilised or unexplored biological resources through the identification of novel compounds of industrial interest and the incorporation of components of biological material into high-value commercial products in food and food supplements," he added.

Receive email updates from UWN

Global newsletters    Africa newsletters    Other
    (other includes related events and webinars)

Data will be processed according to our standard terms & conditions.

Sponsored Article

Apply for Wege Prize – Change the world and earn cash rewards

Ferris State University staff

Around the globe, university students with big ideas for making their communities and the world better and helping solve some of today’s biggest problems – pollution, hunger, waste, and more – are applying for Wege Prize, an international design competition with a prize pool of US$65,000.

Promoted by Ferris State University.

Sponsored Article

Sustainability-centred Impact Hub at Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University staff

Stellenbosch University’s vision to be a systemically sustainable institution addressing continental and global sustainable development challenges is beginning to bear fruit. Not only is it educating future leaders, policy-makers and professionals in this space, but it is also finding solutions through research, training and development.

Promoted by Stellenbosch University.

Sponsored Article

Supporting Pride is about commitment to campus diversity

University of Victoria staff

ABET, the global accreditor of science, computing, engineering and technology programmes, is supporting Pride Month and prioritising equality, diversity and inclusion. It believes collaboration between a diverse pool of talent is a vital contributor to finding the best solutions to the world’s problems.

Promoted by ABET.

Sponsored Article

Ground-breaking research on seawater biodesalination

UAE University staff

As water scarcity reaches critical levels globally, a research team at the United Arab Emirates University seeks to revolutionise seawater desalination practices, offering a path to mitigate water scarcity while championing environmental preservation.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.