Scientists from NCIMB Ltd, a spin out company of the University of Aberdeen, have secured substantial funding from Scottish Enterprise Grampian.
The funding will allow Dr Peter Green, curator of NCIMB (National Collection of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria) to visit one of the largest untapped microbial resources in the world when he leaves for Mexico on Friday (March 2).
During his visit, he will advise Professor Otto Morales, Professor of Environmental Microbiology at the University of Campeche, on establishing and maintaining a collection of marine bacteria and will focus on opportunities for joint initiatives, including screening of the Mexican collection for novel marine products. Dr Green has previously established similar links in Cuba and will also be visiting the Finlay Institute in Havana to review progress.
Dr Green said that NCIMB’s expertise in the field of industrial, marine and food bacteria makes it an excellent choice of partner for future collaborations.
“This funding is important to the company’s development. Until recently NCIMB Ltd has focussed its efforts on the expert management of its bacterial culture collection as a national resource and on it’s specialist identification and chemical testing services,” he said.
“The company has begun a program of investigating the properties of bacteria in its collection and there is good indication that some may have properties useful in recycling waste products, for example paper, in industrial processing and as new sources of novel therapeutic agents.”
Dr Steve Minter, NCIMB’s Chief Operations Officer, said: “The company’s progress in expanding it’s international network and its continuing developments as one of the leading biotechnology companies both in Scotland and in the rest of the world is a tribute to the reputation of its staff.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the company. We are committed to building a world class biotechnology business in Aberdeen and developing the company’s leading edge position at the forefront of biotechnology based on its expertise in microbiology.”
NCIMB Ltd is a successful biotechnology company, originating from the University of Aberdeen, specialising in developing novel uses of microbes and in the identification and preservation of bacteria. NCIMB Ltd houses the National Collection of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria, which is a leading member of the United Kingdom National Culture Collections (UKNCC).
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.