New funding for Nottingham-China collaboration

Scientists at the University of Nottingham and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Institutes in Shanghai and Beijing are working on the design of tools and strategies for producing bacteria able to make low carbon fuels and chemicals from industrial waste gas without consuming food or land resources. 

The project, led by Professor Nigel Minton from the School of Molecular Medical Sciences at Nottingham, and Professor Weihong Jiang of the Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology at the Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences (SIBS) will receive matched funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Research Council (BBSRC), and CAS.

Industrial partners Lanzatech and BaoSteel are also contributing a total of £6,000 to aid work on the design of these strategies and tools.

Professor Nigel Minton said: “Carbon monoxide gas, or CO, is an abundant resource, and a waste product of steel manufacturing, oil refining and other industries. Unfortunately, CO released into the atmosphere eventually ends up as carbon dioxide (CO₂), thereby contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

“Fortunately, there are special types of bacteria that can ‘consume’ CO and convert it into chemicals and fuels. Our partnership will identify the most effective bacterial strains and then use synthetic biology to both improve and to extend the chemicals they can make. 

“This project offers a real opportunity to provide more sustainable sources of chemicals and energy that do not interfere with the food supply chain and will contribute to reductions in fossil carbon emissions.”  

This is one of five grants which have been awarded through a Synthetic Biology China Partnering Award. Others to benefit from the funding in the UKare University College London, the University of Manchester, the University of Edinburgh and the University of Warwick.