Walking on the border of basic science

Venue: Polo Scientifico Tecnologico Fabio Ferrari – Room A207

At: 14.30

• Prof.Angelo Fontana - CNR-Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry - Napoli

Abstract:

Biotechnology involves studies of molecules, cells and organisms with the aim of understanding how biological processes work, and harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. We often think of biotechnology as a new area for exploration, but mankind have used the biological processes for thousands of years since the domestication of crops and livestock made civilizations to prosper. Nowadays, access to new genetic resources and advanced technologies make it possible to study biological reactions and systems better than just a few years ago. Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough knowledge to combat debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes. In the last years we have intensified our efforts on the exploitation of marine organisms for new applications in human wellbeing, energy and food. As part of a public institution, our investigations fall in the very early phase of the development of products and processes but increasingly they meet the requests of industrial endusers. Here I present a brief overview of our research platform on cultivable unicellular organisms with specific examples on how the understanding of chemistry and biochemistry of natural functions can create novel solutions for biotech applications.