Dr Maira Anam of Newcastle University has had a busy few weeks. Early last month she attended the Better Water 4 All Network+ ECR conference, where she won a prize for her poster on Impact of hydrodynamics on pilot scale Microbial Electrolysis Cells. And in mid-September she was at the …
Date: 29 Oct 2026 14:00 UK, online Don’t miss this webinar exploring current advances and emerging trends in polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production. Dr Seongbong Heo will discuss research spanning mixed microbial cultures, waste-derived feedstocks, nutrient-decoupled and integrated production strategies, and data-driven approaches to PHA accumulation. The session will provide an accessible …
Closing date: 16 April 2027 A new call funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) allows UK-based researchers to collaborate with international partners in joint applications to the Biodiversa+ 2026 to 2027 call joint funding opportunity Novel ecosystems (BiodivFuture). BiodivFuture funds research and innovation addressing biodiversity and novel ecosystems, …
A colleague using AI for thematic analysis of some contributions by EBNet WG Leads noticed an interesting sub-heading: ‘Designed biology versus managed natural communities’. The distinction being made was apparently between microbially-mediated treatment systems based on synthetic biology, and those not involving genetically manipulated organisms or components. This is rather …
Earlier this year Defra and the devolved UK administrations ran a Public Consultation on reforming the UK Fertilising Product Regulations (FPR). The topic of fertiliser products is going through a period of intensive review across Europe; and, since nutrients are both a problem and a key opportunity for the Environmental …
A recent paper reports the effect of abstraction method on microbial communities and pathogen risks in shallow groundwater supplies, based on work carried out across several locations and seasons in Kenya. The study used qPCR and 16S rRNA sequencing to characterise pathogenic indicator species and bacterial communities in three sand-dam …
Following a recent successful flash-fiction competition on the theme of ‘Epiphanies’, the Green Stories Project led by Prof Denise Baden is now inviting people to bring one of the winning short stories from the anthology to life in the form of a short film or animation. The item should last …
Application Deadline: 9 Nov 2026 The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Pre/Postdoctoral Fellowship for Foreign Researchers (Short Term) provides the opportunity for short-term visits by researchers based in the UK or Ireland who are nationals or permanent residents of the UK, EU member states, Switzerland, Norway, the …
Nomination deadline: 31 Dec 2026 The Young Investigator Award was established by the journal Processes in 2020 to acknowledge the achievements of young investigators in the field of processes/systems in chemistry, biology, material, energy, environment, food, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, automation control, catalysis, separation, particle and allied engineering. Nominations are accepted from …
Congratulations to Dr Seongbong Heo and co-authors for their recent paper on enhancing PHA enrichment in granular sludges through control of settling strategies. This paper is an excellent example of several key issues and themes within EBNet: the importance of interactions between engineering-scale interventions and complex microbial systems; the need …
Closing date: 19 Nov 2026 Applications are invited for funding to implement, improve or consolidate bioinformatics or biological resources in support of UK bioscience, helping to drive forwards progress in bioscience research and innovation. Projects must focus on the delivery of a community resource that addresses a significant demand or …
A very successful ECR conference by the Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre (EBIC) this week, with excellent presentations – and participants not just from the EBIC partner universities, but across the UK and around the world. Good to meet up with many EBNet members there too. See the EBIC LinkedIn page …
Closing Date: 19 Oct 2026 The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Summer Programme Fellowship offers the opportunity for pre/postdoctoral researchers to receive an orientation on Japanese language and culture and research systems as well as pursue research under the guidance of host researchers at Japanese universities and …
The Circular Bioeconomy Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has made a series of interactive dashboards available, covering programme statistics and country participation; key performance indicators; and project portfolio information. The dashboards provide an accessible way to explore data on funded projects. They show the markets targeted by bio-based solutions, the investment …
A piece in the latest issue of CIWEM’s The Environment magazine describes Scottish Water’s newly-upgraded Winchburg wastewater treatment works (WWTW). The upgrade was required both because the existing facility was reaching the end of its operational life, and as the local area is projected to experience significant growth over the …
