A reminder from some EBIC and EBNet ECRs – don’t miss the chance to register for EBIC’s 2nd Annual ECR Conference! The event is on the theme of Engineering Biology for Environmental Solutions and is open to all. This post highlights one area of interest: synthesis of value-added products from organic waste.
While none of the new UKRI Hubs and Networks has a specific focus on the waste-based biorefinery concept (see here for more on this point), the topic is included in EBIC’s Theme 3 on Wastewater and Waste Management. EBIC Cluster 7 is on ‘Microbial fermentation for value-added product synthesis from organic waste streams using SynBio, metabolic and bioprocess engineering tools’, and is coordinated by Dr Yue Zhang who also co-Leads EBNet’s Anaerobic Fermentation WG. Cluster 7 aims to maximise resource recovery while minimising external inputs through improved process understanding and engineering control, with an overall goal to convert recovered organic wastes and residues into biofuels and bioproducts for valorisation and upcycling by the application of engineering biology.
Cluster 7 ECR researchers and EBNet members are actively involved in the EBIC event, which takes place on 16-17 Sept 2026 in Southampton. Yexin Feng, an EBIC PhD student, will present a poster on ‘Chemical-free production and in-situ product recovery (ISPR) of value-added chemicals from mixed culture anaerobic fermentation of organic waste streams’. Dr Minyeong Yoo, EBIC Research Fellow, is a member of the Conference Organising Committee. Both are very keen to promote the conference. Minyeong said: “We are excited to welcome, network and discuss with you at this fantastic event that is being held in our home city this September!”.
