We are the champions! MIB awarded Queen’s Anniversary Prize
Our partners Research impact and institutes 22nd November 2019
The work carried out at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) has been honoured with the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education. This is an award that marks the outstanding contributions made within the academic field, and recognises the MIB as a beacon of excellence.
At the heart of the work and research carried out at the MIB is industrial biotechnology – one of The University of Manchester’s research beacons. Working across multiple disciplines and alongside partners in industry, the MIB has been busy developing disruptive bio-based technologies that will transition chemicals manufacture from petrochemicals to sustainable bio-manufacturing.
Fuel from seawater
Earlier this month, we shared the results of the MIB’s work with the Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG) to develop a renewable alternative to jet fuel. The breakthrough was sparked by the discovery of a bacteria found in seawater that can be genetically engineered to alter its metabolism (stay with us!). Upon completion of this process, the microorganism can be used as a catalyst to create high value chemical compounds, which form the foundation of the biofuel.
While in this case the breakthrough forms the basis of the development of a renewable jet fuel, Dr Kirk Malone – Director of Commercialisation at the MIB – told us that there is no reason why biofuel couldn’t one day provide an economical alternative to fossil fuels.
Speaking at the time, Dr Malone told us: “While the molecules we are making in this collaboration with ONRG are for jet fuel, this type of bacteria could be used as a ‘microbial chassis’ to produce other types of fuel – and other products such as plastics.” The next step is to work on a cost-effective mass production solution.
Biotech breakthroughs
This project is just one of many conducted at the MIB. The Institute’s researchers have worked on everything from the development of synthetic and analytical tools to both study and construct glycans – complex structures made from sugar – to the isolation of the cause of a unique scent emitted by people with Parkinson’s. And then there’s last year’s breakthrough in identifying the relationship between two Mummies housed in Manchester Museum.
“Our Manchester model of innovation enables us to take cutting-edge science and, by working strategically with our commercial and other partners, transfer research breakthroughs into real world applications,” says Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, the University’s President and Vice-Chancellor.” It’s this approach that is now helping to position The University of Manchester at the vanguard of clean economic growth.”
Professor Martin Schröder, Vice-President of the University and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, adds: “[The MIB’s] work is really helping to put Manchester, and the UK as a whole, on the international map for industrial biotechnology at a critical time for our planet’s future wellbeing.”
Making the world work better
The MIB is not the first recipient of a Queen’s Anniversary prize within the Faculty. In fact, research conducted at FSE has been recognised three times over the past decade.
In 2011, the Dalton Nuclear Institute was honoured with the Diamond Jubilee Queen’s Anniversary Prize. Just three years later, in 2014, the Faculty’s pioneering imaging techniques for advanced materials and manufacturing were honoured with the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.
We’re sure this won’t be the last award we report on – as Prof Schröder says: “The science and engineering community at Manchester continually demonstrate how our research is able to make our world work better.”
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Words – Hayley Cox
Images – The University of Manchester
biotechnologyManchester Institute of BiotechnologyMIBQueen's Award
