SA-CHINA SYMPOSIUM

Fungal Bioresources and Applications

Durban University of Technology (DUT), in partnership with the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), will host the SA-China Symposium on Fungal Bioresources and Applications at the Protea Hotel Umhlanga Ridge, in Durban from 30 September-1 October 2011.

This is the second international biotechnology research collaboration, following the ground breaking research in sequencing of a thermophilic genome that was undertaken in partnership with the University of Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Chemical Biology.

DUT’s Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology head, Professor Suren Singh said the NRF driven initiative has been endorsed by the government of China and South Africa. The symposium is focused on developing new areas of research and expanding existing knowledge to enhance manufacturing and production processes across industry.
“We are honoured to be part of this initiative, we hope to expand on current collaborations and strengthen ties between scientists in South Africa and China in the fields of microbial resources and biotechnology. We currently have an NRF bilateral agreement with China’s Jiangnan University in Wuxi, which allows for technology transfer and the mobility of scientists between the two countries,” said Professor Singh.

The two day event will include 28 paper presentations by a high-powered research delegation from China, academics from the University of the Western Cape, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Fermentation Technology, University of Stellenbosch, Rhodes University, Technology Innovation Agency, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, University of Pretoria, University of the Free State and the University of Witwatersrand.

Professor Singh said: “The symposium is specifically focused on research in fungal bioresources and applications. Extensive work has gone into researching biotechnological applications that can be obtained from fungal research. Studies presented will look at sustainable use of bioresources and different proteins that can have applications in chemical production, biofuels, food and the pulp and paper industry.”

Over the last decade extensive research has gone into resourcing alternative fuel as a solution to the depletion of natural resources that are fossil fuel based. “The scientific community has much to contribute in educating the public and finding possible solutions to environmental problems. Through research and innovation, time used for production processes may be decreased with increased efficiency and a decrease in the production of carcinogenic waste,” said Professor Singh.

For more information, please contact:
Professor Suren Singh
Head: Biotechnology and Food Technology
CEO Food Bio-Innovations
Office: 031 373 5321