Biologicals

CABI Shares Expertise On Biopesticides To Support New Green Economy Centre At Swansea University

10 October 2024, UK: CABI is sharing its expertise in biopesticides – in relation to insecticides and fungicides – to support the creation of a new Green Economy Centre at Swansea University, Wales, aimed at boosting modern green industries across the UK.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announced a £25 million investment in five new green industry centres – as part of its ‘Building a Green Economy’ theme with other locations in Scotland and the South-West of England.

Scientists from CABI will help conduct molecular and biopesticide screening from the Green Economy Centre at Swansea University’s interdisciplinary Natural Products BioHub Centre (NPB-Centre) which seeks to enhance the industrial potential of eukaryotic microbes, fostering a collaborative ecosystem across disciplines.

The eukaryotic microbe natural products market has grown substantially, with annual increases of 10-15%, including markets such as antimicrobials, organic acids, and emerging sectors in algal and agricultural natural products.

The potential of eukaryotic microbes, including fungi and algae, goes beyond established markets like industrial ethanol production to address urgent global needs in alternative energy, resilient net-zero agriculture, and antimicrobial resistance.

Supporting resilient business growth and greener futures for all

The NPB-Centre is a collaboration between Swansea University and Swansea City Council to bring together academia, industry, and the community in supporting resilient business growth and greener futures for all.

CABI is supporting the NPB-Centre by being a leading provider of microbial and molecular services – delivering applied biology solutions to help solve problems in agriculture, research, environment and industry.

Emerging green industries, ranging from sustainable electronics and making houses fit for the future to natural product development for the environment, will all benefit from the UKRI investment that will bring jobs, skills and prosperity to areas across the UK.

Through the ‘Accelerating the Green Economy’ programme, the centres will bring together researchers, businesses, local leaders and key partners to help co-develop and deliver new products and processes to bring them successfully to market.

Three of the centres will be in Scotland, one in Wales, and one in South West England. All involve co-investment from private sector industrial partners working closely with researchers and others to build on existing strengths, allowing green solutions to underpin the growth of local economies.

Long history providing microbial expertise

Dr Steven Edgington, CABI’s Biopesticides Team Leader, said, “I want to thank UKRI for making such a commitment. At CABI we’ll be bringing our expertise in mycology and fungal biopesticides to the Natural Products BioHUB, identifying how naturally sourced fungi can contribute to safer, cleaner crop management.

“Globally we’re becoming more aware of how important it is to protect our crops safely and to use fewer synthetic inputs in and around our soil systems. We’re very excited to be part of this team and we know that the Natural Products BioHUB in Swansea will be a tremendous asset, both regionally and globally.”

The NPB-Centre at Swansea University promotes the wider use of natural products within the agricultural, pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries to contribute to a healthier environment and community. Its goal is to maximise the benefits of natural resources while minimising disturbances to the environment.

Dr Farooq Shah, Project Manager, Biosciences, and lead of the NPB-Centre at Swansea University, said, ““Our collaboration with CABI is an exciting opportunity to leverage shared expertise in accelerating product development. By combining resources from CABI’s extensive fungal repository with our research capabilities, we are able to fast-track the creation of nature-based products.”

Professor Dan Eastwood, of Swansea University said, “Our partnership with CABI will help us uncover novel compounds from fungal cultures, driving innovation in biotechnology. By accelerating the discovery and development of these compounds, we are positioning Wales as a leader in sustainable product development, bringing critical green solutions to the market.”

Professor Tariq Butt, who leads the NPB-Centre group at Swansea University, said, “I am excited by the potential of our collaboration with CABI to fast-track the development of fungal biocontrol agents. By utilising our extensive fungal repository, we can address global challenges in agriculture and environmental management, helping to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and promoting sustainable practices.”

Solutions essential to achieving net zero in the UK by 2050

UKRI’s Building a Green Future strategic theme aims to accelerate the green economy by supporting research and innovation that unlocks solutions essential to achieving net zero in the UK by 2050. It is one of five UKRI strategic themes aiming to harness the full power of the UK’s research and innovation system to tackle large-scale, complex challenges.

Dr Kate Hamer, UKRI Programme Director, Building a Green Future, said, “Transitioning to a sustainable green economy is a win-win for all; it creates new jobs, new partnerships and new industries.

“Through investment in collaboration between researchers and innovators, we harness our collective effort across the public and private sector, driving innovation to secure the future of our environment and deliver sustainable economic growth.”

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