The greener way of life
The new generation of polymers produced by bacteria will be a focus for 'International Conference on Biodegradable Polymers: their production, characterisation and application'
London, 10 December 2007
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| Plastics from bacteria: the green way forward |
On 10 December 2007 there will be a
one day conference on various aspects of biodegradable
polymers; a way to ensure the reduction of our carbon
footprint. There are two main types of biodegradable
polymers: synthetic, including polylactic acid, polyglycolic
acid, polycaprolactone; and natural polymers produced
from natural processes, including starch, alginate, polyhydroxyalkanoates
(PHAs), using renewable resources.
Biodegradable polymers can be used for a number of
applications including tissue engineering, drug delivery,
packaging and agricultural applications, and its market
has been increasing steadily. Global Industry Analysts
estimates that the market for biodegradable polymers
will reach £392 million by 2013.
This conference will focus on a new generation of
polymers produced by bacteria, especially PHAs. World
experts on these polymers including Professor
Steinbuchel, University of Münster in Germany, Professor
Rehm, Massey University of New Zealand, Dr Zinn, EMPA,
Switzerland and Dr Roy, University of Westminster UK,
will be delivering lectures.
The plenary lecturer, Professor Steinbuchel, will
present his recent work on a range of natural polymers
produced by microorganisms: polyesters, polythioesters
and polyamides. In 1992, Professor Steinbuchel was
awarded the Philip Morris Forschungspreis Award for
the development of new processes for production of biodegradable
thermoplastic polyesters from renewable
resources. A pioneer in this area, he has been responsible
for establishing the PHAs as biodegradable polymers.
Professor Rehm and Dr Roy will present their work
on the molecular aspect of polymer synthesis and how
this can be used to engineer the production of novel
polymers. Finally, Dr Zinn will present his work on the
various unique fermentation strategies to produce a
variety of microbial polymers with high yields. These
approaches are unique to microbial polymers.
This is an interdisciplinary conference at which
polymer characterisation from the materials point of
view, and the production of composites using various
inorganic additives, will also be discussed. Presentations
will focus on the application of biodegradable polymers,
especially in the context of medical applications for
tissue engineering, which provides an excellent alternative
to permanent implants for the repair and regeneration
of damaged human tissue.
Leading UK scientists in
the area will be delivering lectures. Dr Boccaccini of
Imperial College London, will discuss his pioneering
work on the novel composites using the PHAs and Bioglass. Professor Hatton, University of Sheffield, will
describe the use of polymer composites for use in cartilage
tissue engineering. Professor Knowles, University
College London, will introduce a new dimension to the
application by presenting his work on the preparation
of novel endodontic materials.
The conference will explore the in vivo use of biodegradable
polymers – the ultimate challenge. The speakers
in this session include leading scientists such as
Professor Chaudhuri, University of Bath, who will discuss
the use of hollow fibres in tissue engineering and the
affinity of cells to grow on such scaffolds. Dr Clements,
University of Westminster, will present his work on
mesenchymal stem cells and their growth and differentiation
on biodegradable scaffolds. Finally, Dr Salih,
University College London, will present his extensive
work on growth of cells on various biodegradable polymers,
providing an overview of the cellular reaction to
these materials, a key element for their successful
medical application.
This meeting will provide a rare opportunity to obtain
a complete overview of the area of biodegradable polymers.
This conference also focuses on naturally produced
polymers using bacteria, again a rare feature in polymer
related conferences.
Organised by the SCI Biotechnology Group
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