Our research into microbes and microbial engineering is exploring how we can harness the power of bacteria and fungi to solve pressing issues in fields such as fuel production and disease control. We have two main teams working within this area: The Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC) and the Fungal Biology Group. Both have strong relationships with industry.
The SBRC, led by Professor Nigel Minton, Associate Professor Alan Cockayne, Associate Professor Ruth Griffin, Associate Professor Klaus Winzer and Dr Ying Zhang is exploring metabolic pathways in specific species of Clostridium. Their aim is to generate strains that convert primarily greenhouse gasses into valuable platform chemicals and biofuels. Green chemicals is an area where Nottingham is leading the field and it’s been identified as one of the University’s Research Beacons.
Closely linked to the SBRC, the Fungal Biology Group is led by Assistant Professor Matthias Brock, Professor Paul Dyer and Professor Simon Avery. Together, they study fungal biotechnology, diversity and pathogenesis. This includes the development of anti-fungal agents for controlling diseases and food spoilage, discovery of novel fungal products, strain improvement for food and industrial fungi using sexual and GM approaches, stress responses of yeasts and filamentous fungi, and tools for monitoring fungal infections.
How disrupting parasites has the potential to save lives, the world over.
Using synthetic biology to develop the molecules and fuels modern society needs.
School of Life SciencesUniversity of NottinghamMedical School Queen's Medical CentreNottingham NG7 2UH