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Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/C50880X/1

Using knowledge on marine and freshwater microbial biodiversity.

Grant Award

Principal Investigator:
Dr P Williamson, University of Oxford, Earth Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Professor G Burgess, Newcastle University, Sch of Natural & Environmental Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Professor R Rickaby, University of Oxford, Earth Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Dr D Schroeder, Marine Biological Association, Marine Biology
Co-Investigator:
Dr S Jackman, University of Oxford, Earth Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Dr WH Wilson, Bigelow Lab for Ocean Sciences, Bigelow Lab for Ocean Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Professor C Knowles, University of Oxford, Engineering Science
Co-Investigator:
Professor AC Ward, Newcastle University, Sch of Natural & Environmental Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Dr I Joint, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth Marine Lab
Co-Investigator:
Professor M Goodfellow, Newcastle University, Sch of Natural & Environmental Sciences
Science Area:
Marine
Freshwater
Overall Classification:
Marine
ENRIs:
Pollution and Waste
Natural Resource Management
Global Change
Environmental Risks and Hazards
Biodiversity
Science Topics:
Water Quality
Environmental Microbiology
Environmental Genomics
Biogeochemical Cycles
Technol. for Environ. Appl.
Environmental biotechnology
Abstract:
Since 2000, the NERC Marine & Freshwater Microbial Biodiversity programme has supported more than 30 research projects to investigate the variety and function of aquatic micro-organisms (plant plankton, protists, bacteria, viruses, and Archaea). Many fundamental discoveries have already been made, relating to community structure, culturability, cell-signalling, biogeochemistry and virus ecology; in addition, around 60 novel organisms have been characterised and a further 700 strains have been isolated. These findings provide major opportunities for commercial exploitation; however, such a process does not take place automatically, and the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are now more cautious in making speculative investments than they were 5-10 yr ago. Dedicated effort is therefore needed to identify and take forward the science findings with greatest application potential, developing appropriate partnerships with research users. This project builds on the Technology Transfer (TT) and knowledge transfer (KT) activities that are already underway. It will involve networking activities workshops, websites, KT advice services, personnel exchanges (between academia and industry), and training and information products (including a video/DVD on the scientific and socio-economic importance of environmental microbiology). In addition to programme-wide support, future M&FMB KT work will focus on three topic areas: i) virus exploitation; ii) cell signalling. biofilm formation, culturability and bioreactors and iii) the identification and exploitation of new bioactive compounds. New topics may be added when the full science outcomes of current M&FMB grant awards are known.
Period of Award:
1 Dec 2004 - 31 Jan 2007
Value:
£106,105 Split Award
Authorised funds only
NERC Reference:
NE/C50880X/1
Grant Stage:
Completed
Scheme:
EO Programmes Pre FEC
Grant Status:
Closed

This grant award has a total value of £106,105  

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FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)

Total - StaffTotal - T&STotal - Other CostsTotal - Indirect Costs
£13,921£21,720£64,061£6,404

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