Cawthron explores potential collaboration

Cawthron explores potential collaboration with visiting group of international algal biotechnology experts

Cawthron Institute hosted a group of international algal biotechnology experts this week with a view to exploring potential collaborations and coordinated projects.

The event was supported by the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), CBMNet, PHYCONET (BBSRC NIBB), the Microbiology Society, and Cawthron and offered the participants the opportunity to learn more about each other’s research interests and about the work that Cawthron Institute itself does.

Dr Katherine Duncan, University of Strathclyde said that the event presented a diverse range of science and that she had already exchanged emails with delegates about potential collaboration after the first day of her visit to Cawthron.

“Cawthron has done a very good job of organising the event and I can see real potential for the future,” says Dr Duncan. “Cawthron is known for its very good facilities and I am already looking into ways to fund a continuing discussion amongst participants. I would be happy to host delegates at my own lab in Scotland or to come back to Cawthron.”

Dr Duncan’s research interests include discovering new antibiotics and anti-cancer compounds from marine micro-organisms. “The diversity of the ocean environment provides great potential for discovery, particularly with a multi-disciplinary approach,” says Dr Duncan.

The visiting group also included Professor Min Park, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

“We were honoured to host a group of such distinguished scientists,” says Cawthron Institute Senior Research Scientist, Dr Mike Packer. “The fact that they were interested in coming to Cawthron is testament to the reputation that we have established. We know that this will be maintained in part through maintaining strong connections with the very best scientists around the world. This visiting group are such a group within the field of algal biotech.”

ENDS

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