Merging nano-mulch with medicine

How to marry biotechnology, nanoscience and manufacturing while reducing costs and waste is a central theme of the ‘Advances in Biotechnology for Food and Medical Applications’ workshop being held at the University of Sydney on 5 - 6 October.

Having successfully focussed its research on the production of nutraceuticals –by-products from food waste that can provide additional health benefits as supplements – the University of Sydney’s ARC Food Processing Training Centre is bringing engineers, scientists, industry experts and researchers together in this first-of-its-kind workshop.

Working with 12 industry partners, the Centre has been finding solutions to improved manufacturing technologies, and has developed high value products for the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disorders.

Professor Fariba Dehghani, Director of ARC Food Processing Training Centre and co-convenor of the workshop, says the event has attracted international experts eager to discuss biotechnology, in particular micro and nano technologies, and their applications in food and medicine production. Professor Dehghani’s own bioengineering research led to the development of a fermentation process for oil rich in vitamin K, with greater bioavailability.

“Workshop participants will discuss more cost-effective and sustainable methods of food production with a view to minimising waste and enhancing efficiency,” said Professor Dehghani.

“Our aim is to open up new avenues for cross-disciplinary research between leading engineers, scientists, clinicians, and industry experts. Together we can find innovative solutions to bring benefits to industry and consumers alike.

“This event aims to help establish practical applications in biotechnology and manufacturing processes to maximise value from raw materials, enhancing efficiency and reducing energy consumption.”

The delegates are scheduled to discuss the gap between technology innovations and useful applications in biotechnology. Experts will discuss strategies to efficiently turn research innovations into commercial products.

Representatives for the University’s flagship centres include:

·         The Charles Perkins Centre,

·         The Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, and

·         The Institute for Biomedical Technologies

They will be joined by international delegates from, Stanford University (USA), MIT (USA), Shanghai Jia Tong University, Nanyang University (Singapore), Nottingham University (UK), University of Mainz (Germany), Genoa University (Italy), Lorraine University (France), Lanzhou University (China), Northeastern University (USA), University of Auckland (New Zealand), and the University of Canterbury (New Zealand).

Download the full workshop program