The University of Manchester is taking the lead in the lb6.5 million ($10.7 million) Bionexgen research program to develop biocatalysts to be used for sustainable processes in the chemical industry.

Bionexgen, a development program for next-generation biocatalysts, is to be a three-year European Union-funded project led by the director of the Universitys Center of Excellence for Biocatalysis, Biotransformations and Biocatalytic Manufacture, Professor Nick Turner.

Biocatalysts are enzymes that can perform chemical reactions. The project aims to replace chemical catalysts with cleaner biocatalysis routes using renewable resources.

The development of new biocatalysts could improve the economic and environmental manufacturing of various chemicals such as pharmaceuticals and polymers.

The project will bring together University research groups, small and medium sized companies and one of the worlds leading chemical companys BASF. - K.D. Mariano
source: APEC-VC Korea