This page gives details of some outcomes from EBNet funding applications. For more outputs, see the Resources page.
- Follow-on activities
- POC and BIV projects
- Travel bursaries
- Placement awards and SWAP grants
Follow-on activities
Successful applications for follow-on Network and Hub projects which build on and extend the concepts promoted in EBNet include:
Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre (EBIC) – led by Prof Frederic Coulon
TERC Better Water for All Network+, led by Dr Bing Guo
Prof Jhuma Sadhukhan, EBNet Co-I and Theme 3 Lead, is a Co-Investigator on the Elemental Hub and also leads the UK side of the Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts (GCSB)
For interactions between EBNet and the Cloud-SPAN project led by Prof James Chong see here
POC and BIV outputs
Details of our Proof of Concept (POC) projects, Business Interaction Vouchers (BIV) and associated outputs can be found below.
POC Projects
POC 2024 Call – Funded Projects
- Elucidating mechanisms of bacterial adsorption to biochar by 3D X-ray image analysis – Dr Meredith Rose Barr, London South Bank University
- Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations for assessing biodegradation of PFAS – Dr Tao Lyu, Cranfield University
POC 2023 Call – Funded Projects
- Simultaneous Bioremediation of Nutrient Pollution and Carbon Fixation Through a Novel, Integrated Anammox and Acetogens-Based Bio-Electrochemical System – Dr Ahsan Islam, University of Loughborough
Publicly available summaries for POC projects awarded in 2023 are available here.
POC 2022 Call – Funded Projects
- Mitigating N2O emission from wastewater treatment processes – Dr Bing Guo, University of Surrey
- Pure biomethane – rather than biogas – from a single waste stream – Dr Elizabeth Heidrich, Newcastle University
- CRISPR/Cas-enabled paper-based sensors for rapid monitoring of antimicrobial resistance – Dr Zhugen Yang, Cranfield University
Publicly available summaries for all POC projects awarded in 2022 are available here.
POC 2021 Call – Funded Projects
- Faecal pollution source tracking and quantitative microbial risk assessment methods for a suitcase laboratory – Dr David Werner, Newcastle University
- Bio-engineering of water biofilter communities for enhanced degradation of DOM – Dr Marta Vignola, University of Glasgow
- Real time monitoring of Anaerobic Digestion microbial community as a foaming risk prediction method – Dr Dana Ofiteru, Newcastle University
- Fluorescent Microbiofilter Assay for Rapid Real-time Monitoring of Organic Micropollutants Biodegradation – Dr Caroline Gauchotte-Lindsay, University of Glasgow
Publicly available summaries for all POC projects awarded in 2021 are available here.
POC 2020 Call – Funded Projects
- Enhancing PFASs Attenuation in Coastal brownfield Soils (EPACS): enhancing natural system attenuation capacity for a key emerging contaminant – Professor Andy Cundy, University of Southampton
- Bio-engineering of biochar for enhanced remediation of contaminated land – Dr Tony Gutierrez, Heriot Watt University
- Fibre Highways: translocation of the microbiome for pollutant bioremediation – Dr Angela Sherry, Northumbria University
- Development of a monooxygenase gene-based assay to characterise 1,4-dioxane bioremediation potential – Dr Simon Gregory, British Geological Survey
Publicly available summaries for all POC projects awarded in 2020 are available here.
BIV projects
BIV 2024 Call – Funded Projects
- Feasibility study for the recovery of precious metals from incinerated bottom ash (IBA) using bioleaching technology – Professor Sebastien Farnaud, Coventry University / Fortis IBA Ltd
- Improving the accuracy, reliability and user experience of low-flow gas meters for research and development in anaerobic digestion and biotechnological processes – Dr Mark Walker, University of Hull / CJC Labs Ltd
BIV 2021 Call – Funded Projects
- Bioleaching application for the recovery of Minor and Rare Earth Metals from Complex Nickel Alloys Dust – Professor Sebastien Farnaud, Coventry University / Advanced Alloy Services Ltd
- Sludge dewaterability: improved tools for the emerging biotech industries, Dr Yue Zhang, University of Southampton / Triton Electronics Ltd
Publicly available information for all BIV projects awarded in 2021 is available here.
BIV 2020 Call – Funded Projects
The following projects have been awarded funding in our EBNet BIV2020 Call.
- Determination of microbial communities of laboratory anaerobic digestion tanks and impact of the CreChar additive on the microbial community dynamics – Prof James Chong, University of York/Dr Adam Ostrowski, Carbogenics Ltd
- Understanding anaerobic biodegrability of organic menstrual care products: technical feasibility and sector receptivity – Dr Yadira Bajon Fernandez, Cranfield University/Kimberley Dobney, Turn and Flow
- Meeting the nutrient neutrality challenge using newly developed biological technology – Dr Yonqiang Liu, University of Southampton/Adam White, Plantwork Systems Ltd
Publicly available information for all BIV projects awarded in 2020 is available here.
EBNet POC & BIV project dissemination
POC Dissemination
CRISPR-enabled sensors for rapid monitoring of environmental contaminants By: Wang, Y., Pan, Y., Han, W., Rossi, C.S., Hui, Q., Guo, Y., Owoseni, M.C., McAdam, E., Yong, Y.C., Wang, B. and Yang, Z., 2024. In: TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, p.118128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2024.118128 [Dr Zhugen Yang, Cranfield University, POC202214]
Targeted Enrichment of Nucleic Acid Bionic Arms Enhances the Hydrolysis Activity of Nanozymes for Degradation and Real-Time Monitoring of Organophosphorus Pesticides in Water By: Zhou, J., Xiong, D., Zhang, H., Xiao, J., Huang, R., Qiao, Z., Yang, Z. and Zhang, Z., 2025. In: Environmental Science & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c13849 [Dr Zhugen Yang, Cranfield University, POC202214]
Progresses and challenges of engineering thermophilic acetogenic cell factories By: Bourgade, B. and Islam, M.A., 2024. In: Frontiers in Microbiology, 15, p.1476253. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1476253 [Dr Ahsan Islam, University of Loughborough, POC202311]
Challenges and opportunities for low-carbon remediation in the Niger Delta: towards sustainable environmental management By: Azuazu, I.N., Sam, K., Campo, P. and Coulon, F., 2023. In: Science of the Total Environment, p.165739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165739 [Dr Tony Gutierrez, Heriot-Watt University, POC202008]
Efficacy of bioamendments in reducing the influence of salinity on the bioremediation of oil-contaminated soil. By: Atai, E., Jumbo, R.B., Cowley, T., Azuazu, I., Coulon, F. and Pawlett, M., 2023. In: Science of the Total Environment, 892, p.164720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164720 [Dr Tony Gutierrez, Heriot-Watt University, POC202008]
Bioengineering remediation of former industrial sites contaminated with chemical mixtures. By: Atai, E., Jumbo, R.B., Andrews, R., Cowley, T., Azuazu, I., Coulon, F. and Pawlett, M., 2023. In: Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, 10, p.100319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazadv.2023.100319 [Dr Tony Gutierrez, Heriot-Watt University, POC202008]
Evaluating different soil amendments as bioremediation strategy for wetland soil contaminated by crude oil.By: Jumbo, R.B., Coulon, F., Cowley, T., Azuazu, I., Atai, E., Bortone, I. and Jiang, Y., 2022. In: Sustainability, 14(24), p.16568. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416568 [Dr Tony Gutierrez, Heriot-Watt University, POC202008]
Microbial Stratification and DOM Removal in Drinking Water Biofilters: Implications for Enhanced Performance. By: Xiang Shi, Ryan Pereira, Uzma, Laurie Savage, Baptiste Poursat, Dominic Quinn, Anastasiia Kostrytsia, Fabien Cholet, Cindy J Smith, Caroline Gauchotte-Lindsay, William T. Sloan, Umer Ijaz, Marta Vignola. In: Water Research. Available online 5 July 2024, 122053[Dr Marta Vignola, University of Glasgow, POC202106]
BODIPY-labeled estrogens for fluorescence analysis of environmental microbial degradation. By: Felion, C., Lopez-Gonzalez, R., Sewell, A. L., Marquez, R. and Gauchotte-Lindsay, C. In: ACS Omega, 7(45), pp. 41284-41295. (doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c05002) (PMID:36406552). [Dr Caroline Gauchotte-Lindsay, University of Glasgow, POC202113]
Biohybrids: textile fibres provide scaffolds and highways for microbial translocation. By: Angela Sherry, Bruna Martins Dell’ Agnese, Jane Scott. In: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1188965. [Dr Angela Sherry, Northumbria University, Dr Jane Scott, Newcastle University, POC202015]
Environmental DNA clarifies impacts of combined sewer overflows on the bacteriology of an urban river and resulting risks to public health. By: Rixia Zan, Adrian Blackburn, Jidapa Plaimart, Kishor Acharya, Claire Walsh, Ross Stirling, Chris G. Kilsby, David Werner. In: Science of The Total Environment. Volume 889, 1 September 2023, 164282 [Professor David Werner, Newcastle University, POC202101].
Scientists examine whether microbes can clean up contaminated land, Aberdeen Evening Express, 15/01/21. Further articles in The Scottish Farmer (21/01/21), The Courier (15/01/21), The Herald (15/01/21) and STV News (15/01/21). Also, see the Heriot-Watt website. [Dr Tony Gutierrez, Heriot Watt University, POC202008].
EBNet grant success for Fibre Highways: translocation of the microbiome for pollutant bioremediation and Fibre highways for microbial travel Biotechnology in the Built Environment website, 22/10/20. Fibre Highways YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/vRs8D4A4J9M [Dr Angela Sherry, Northumbria University, Dr Jane Scott, Newcastle University, POC202015]
British Geological Survey partner with Arcadis in research programme to support brownfield development, BGS website press release, 15/10/20, [Dr Simon Gregory, British Geological Survey, POC202029] .
BIV Dissemination
Temperature Effects of MD on Municipal Wastewater Treatment in an Integrated Forward Osmosis and Membrane Distillation Process. By: Almoalimi, K.; Liu, Y.-Q.; Booth, A.; Heo, S. In: Processes 2022, 10, 355. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10020355 [Dr Yong-Qiang Liu, University of Southampton, BIV202004]
An exploratory study of the impact and potential of menstrual hygiene management waste in the UK. By: L.A.G. Blair, Y. Bajón -Fernández, R. Villa. In: Cleaner Engineering and Technology. Volume 7, April 2022, 100435 [Dr Yadira Bajon Fernandez, Cranfield University, BIV202002]
A comprehensive comparison of microbial communities between aerobic granular sludge and flocculent sludge for nutrient removal in full-scale wastewater treatment plants By: Pincam, T., Liu, Y.Q., Booth, A., Wang, Y., Lan, G. and Zeng, P., 2024. In: Chemosphere, p.142644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142644 [Dr YongQiang Liu, University of Southampton, BIV202004]
Hydroxyapatite precipitation and accumulation in granules and its effects on activity and stability of partial nitrifying granules at moderate and high temperatures By: Liu, Y.Q. and Cinquepalmi, S., 2021. In: Processes, 9(10), p.1710. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/9/10/1710 [Dr Yong-Qiang Liu, University of Southampton, BIV202004]
Viewing menstrual waste as a resource, Turn and Flow blog with Dr Yadira Bajon Fernandez, Cranfield University [BIV202002].
Travel Bursaries
Outputs from some of our Travel Bursaries for international conferences
Kathleen Dunbar, University of Surrey – ISME 19, 18-23 August 2024 Cape Town, South Africa. Video here.
Increased hydrogen production from genetically modified Escherichia coli and their use within biocoatings
Meredith Barr, London South Bank University – WasteEng24, 20-23 August 2024 Sendai, Japan. Video here.
Lignocellulosic and Poultry Litter Biochars as a Two-Pronged Approach to Plant Nutrient Regulation
Paul-Enguerrand Fady, British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy – WasteEng24, 20-23 August 2024 Sendai, Japan. Video here.
The design and development of biochars derived from waste lignocellulosic biomass, to create novel wastewater filters
- And see: Biochar filtration of drug-resistant bacteria and active pharmaceutical ingredients to combat antimicrobial resistance. Fady, P.E., Richardson, A.K., Barron, L.P., Mason, A.J., Volpe, R. and Barr, M.R., 2025. Scientific Reports, 15(1), p.1256.
Bang Du, University of Surrey – IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2024, 11-15 August 2024 Toronto, Canada. Video here.
Deciphering Anaerobic Ethanol Metabolic Pathways Shaped by Operational Modes
Sergio Serrano Blanco, Newcastle University – ICWRR 2024, 18-21 June 2024 Palermo, Italy
Biomass production and metagenomic analysis on municipal wastewater treatment systems using microalgae and carriers
Pinelopi Savvidou, Cranfield University – IWA YWP European Conference, 16-19 June 2024 Copenhagen, Denmark. Video here.
Fate Models Predicting PFAS Removal and Distribution in Activated Sludge Treatment
Nasreen Nasar, Cranfield University – 18th IWA World Conference on Anaerobic Digestion, 2-6 June 2024 Istanbul, Türkiye. Video here.
Enhancing Anaerobic Digesters efficiency through Thermal Pre-Treatment: Impacts on Sludge Composition and Trace Element Bioavailability in full-scale sites
- And see: Enzymes targeting distinct hydrolysis blind-spots of thermal and biological pre-treatments significantly uplift biogas production. Nasar, N., Pizzagalli, G., Coulon, F. and Bajón-Fernández, Y., 2025. Bioresource Technology, 426, p.132353.
Stella Christou, University of Surrey, EDAR7, 26-31 May 2024 Montréal. Video here.
Exploring AMR in conventional and advanced wastewater treatment processes: A cross study along the oxygen gradient
Anna Salvian, University of Surrey – NA-ISMET, 3-5 April 2024 Houston, Texas, USA. Video here.
Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC)-Based Biosensors for Wastewater Quality Monitoring From Laboratory Scale to Real Application: Effect of The Chemical and Microbial Composition of the Feedstock
Ipek Tezyapar Kara, Cranfield University – AquaConsoil, 11-15 September 2023 Prague, Czech Republic. Video here.
Metals recovery from metallurgical wastes using biometallurgy
Anjali Jayakumar, Newcastle University – AquaConsoil, 11-15 September 2023 Prague, Czech Republic. Awarded as prize for Best Overall Session Presentation at the 2022 EBNet ECR Conference.
Tao Lyu, Cranfield University – WETPOL, 10-14 September 2023 Bruges, Belgium. Video here.
The UK’s Efforts to Understand and Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AM): The Role of Nature-based Solutions
- And see: Constructed wetlands as nature-based solutions in managing per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): evidence, mechanisms, and modelling. Savvidou, P., Dotro, G., Campo, P., Coulon, F. and Lyu, T., 2024. Science of The Total Environment, 934, p.173237.
Mac-Anthony Nnorom, University of Surrey – IWA MEWE, 10-14 Sept 2023 Brisbane, Australia. Video here.
Metagenomic insights into the evolution of the microbiome and antibiotic resistome in commercial biogas plants operating at hyper-mesophilic temperature
- And see: Anaerobic digestion at hyper-mesophilic temperatures: Microbiome and antibiotic resistome in full-scale agricultural biogas plants. Nnorom, M.A., Avery, L., Hough, R., Saroj, D. and Guo, B., 2025. Journal of hazardous materials, 491, p.137922.
Aaron Brown, University of Leeds – BIORESTEC, 14-17 May 2023 Lake Garda, Italy
Valorisation of alternative feedstocks via the integration of hydrothermal carbonisation and anaerobic digestion; a comparative study of macroalgal and lignocellulosic biomass and The role of hydrothermal treatment in the extraction of high value fucoidan from macroalgae.
- And see: Valorisation of macroalgae via the integration of hydrothermal carbonisation and anaerobic digestion. Brown, A.E., Finnerty, G.L., Camargo-Valero, M.A. and Ross, A.B., 2020. Bioresource Technology, 312, p.123539.
Sanjay Nagarajan, University of Bath– BIORESTEC, 14-17 May 2023 Lake Garda, Italy. Video here.
Hydrodynamic cavitation-mediated intensified microalgal biorefineries
- And see: Hydrodynamic cavitation mediated Spirulina valorisation with insights into phycocyanin extraction and biogas production. Chegukrishnamurthi, M., Nagarajan, S., Ravi, S., Mudliar, S.N. and Ranade, V.V., 2025. Communications Biology, 8(1), p.326.
Charlotte Head, University of York – SETAC, 13-17 Nov 2022 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Understanding Fate and Distribution of Antimicrobial Compounds and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Wastewater Treatment
Bing Guo, University of Surrey – ISME 18, 14-19 Aug 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland. Video here.
Ecological modelling of microbial communities in engineering systems: microbial immigration and functional trait-defined heterotrophic guilds
Reihaneh Bashiri, Newcastle University – ISME 18, 14-19 Aug 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Cold-adapted lipases and lipolytic bacteria found by metaproteogenomics in low-temperature anaerobic membrane bioreactors treating domestic wastewater and Monitoring the anaerobic digestion microbial community as a foaming risk prediction method. See her Foaming poster.
Sophie Holland, Heriot Watt University – ISME 18, 14-19 August 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland. Video here.
(Bio)degradation of polystyrene in the ocean and a novel method to track this in laboratory experiments using stable isotope techniques
Selected smaller travel bursaries:
Agnes Shen, University of Surrey / Thames Water – Poster on Machine Learning-Assisted Evaluation of N₂O Emissions at a Full-Scale Sewage Treatment Works in the UK at the AI for NetZero Conference, University of Exeter 16-19 Dec 2024
Szabolcs Pap, University of the Highlands and Islands – participation in the 29th European Biosolids & Bioresources Conference & Exhibition 19-20 Nov 2024 on behalf of the Biochar WG. See HERE for his report analysing key take-away points and synergies.
James Robson, University of York – 24th European Biosolids and Organic Resources Conference 2019. See his poster in a special session supported by EBNet with Angela Bywater and Prof James Chong.
- Joint E3B-EBNet workshop on Biorecovery of Technology-Relevant Metals, 12-14 Dec 2023
Rebecca Kirk, University of Exeter – see her ‘I am an Environmental Biotechnologist…’ video clip explaining how her work is related to this topic.
Peirou Li, University of Exeter – listen to this audio clip on how she came to work on the application of microbes to recover metals from waste.
Mohammed Rehmanji, University of Exeter – see his poster presentations on how Metabolome and Proteome analysis unveils the mixotrophic response of Marine diatom and Microbial processing of geothermal brines for effective Lithium extraction process.
- EBNet BES WG’s Bioelectrochemistry for Environmental Systems Workshop, 23-24 Nov 2023
Maira Anam, University of Nottingham – see her describe her work in this short video clip.
Jack Morton, University of Southampton – hear his ‘I am an Environmental Biotechnologist…’ audio clip, explaining why his work is important.
- Other travel bursary support – examples
Shamas Tabraiz, Canterbury Christ Church University for the ECFP Wastewater Treatment Event Nov 2022
Lucie Krejcova and Karthika Sangilidurai of Cranfield University to Guest lecture on the Fate, Risks and Remediation of Emerging Contaminants, Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Microplastics by Prof Damià Barceló Cullerès, at UCL, London 7 Dec 2022
Biochar WG members for laboratory visit to Heriot Watt University hosted by Prof Tony Gutierrez
Yexin Feng, University of Southampton – Ideas to Innovation (i2i) workshop, Cranfield 29-31 Jan 2025
Minyeong Yoo, University of Southampton – EBIC Early Career Researcher Conference Engineering Biology for Environmental sustainability, Edinburgh 8-9 July 2025
Placement awards and SWAP grants
See below for reports on EBNet Placement Awards. (Note: some placement were carried out remotely, due to travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic and related issues)
Prabodhi Preethika Dehiwalage Dona, Newcastle University – Practical Essentials of HPLC & LC-MS, Anthias Consulting Ltd / Providon Ltd November 2024
Hector de las Heras Prieto, Sheffield Hallam University – Polarographic analysis of bacterial surfactants, Lyell Centre Heriot Watt University, June 2024. See also video report.
Charlotte Lee, University of Stirling – Microalgal biotechnology and techniques, MiAlgae Ltd, June 2023. See also video report.
Sanjay Nagarajan, Queen’s University Belfast – Anaerobic Digestion Plant Optimisation, Anaerobic digestion and Bioresources Association, May 2021
Tararag Pincam, University of Southampton – Bioinformatic skills for microbial community analysis, University of York, 2021
Ipek Tezyapar, Cranfield University – LCA training, University of Surrey, 2020
Share-with-a-peer (SWAP) bursaries
Kathleen Dunbar, University of Surrey – SWAP visit to Dr Carmen Falagan at the University of Portsmouth on March 2025. See here for her account of the exchange.
Zhufang Wang, University of Surrey – SWAP visit to the Laboratory of Dr Ahsan Islam at Loughborough University. See here for her Feb 2024 visit, and listen to her audio clip on how attending a BES WG training workshop helped her research.
Sergio Serrano Blanco, Newcastle University – SWAP visit to Dr Ania Escudero at Glasgow Caledonian University and Bo’ness Development Centre on microalgae for wastewater nutrient uptake. Video here.
