COVID catalysts: biotechnology
As we seek solutions to the challenges of COVID-19, biotechnology addresses our emerging need for more sustainable sources of energy, as well as developing new materials and affordable medicines.
In our lectures, we explore how research at Manchester is tackling these issues and how the global COVID-19 pandemic is shaping our approach to green growth and health innovation.
Our experts offer insights into how bioenergy can be used in our energy economy to limit our CO2 emissions, as well as helping us to supply enough energy to keep up with increasing demand. We also look at how biotechnology is used to create sustainable, scalable, and affordable materials, and how they contribute to creating a circular net zero carbon economy.
More immediately, biotechnology has the capacity to manipulate biological processes to create affordable and scalable medicines, something that is at the forefront of everyone’s minds while we continue our search for a vaccine.
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COVID-19: rethinking bioenergy and the UK bioeconomy
Andrew Welfle, Research Fellow at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change, suggests that with investment in infrastructure, bioenergy can lead a green recovery from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The biotechnology revolution
Rob Field, Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, explores whether COVID-19 could be the catalyst for delivering a greener and cleaner future.
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COVID-19 response
Explore the ways in which our staff and students are helping society recover.
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Research beacons
Discover how we're finding Manchester solutions to global challenges.
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