In a well-attended webinar on the enzyme ecosystem on Campus Groningen, one fact stood out: there is a worldwide interest in the work with and research on enzymes on the Campus. The EPIC Webinar: ‘Enzym Proposition on Innovative Campus Groningen’, that was organised by Campus Groningen on Thursday 14 May 2020, attracted more than 100 participants from among others India, Portugal, Denmark, China, Sweden, Belgium and Ireland. It didn't take long before a lively discussion arose during and after the presentations, between the speakers and over a hundred international viewers in Youtube Live. “It is clear that the investments of entrepreneurs and researchers on Campus Groningen who work with these biological engines, really take the field of enzymes further. It is a joy to see that we, also in these circumstances, can share internationally the expertise that was accumulated here, and that we can also create new opportunities", says Edward van der Meer, managing director of Campus Groningen.
Broad enzyme expertise
The webinar gave the participants a good glimpse in the broad enzyme expertise present at the Campus. Prof. dr. ir. Marco Fraaije (UG) spoke on the fundamental research after enzymes with interesting details, such as the fact that the first electric car originated in Groningen. Hugo van Beek, COO of start-up Gecco Biotech, talked on the use of enzymes in the industry, wherefore the work together among others with MercachemSyncom, also present at the webinar. Gecco Biotech is also located on the Campus and has over 400 enzymes available for applications.
Enzymes in the food, pharma and chemistry sector
Linda Dijkshoorn, CEO and founder of the biotechnological company EV Biotech, located in Innolab Agrifood on Campus Groningen, elaborated on the way her company uses enzymes in the food sector. Dijkshoorn: "Computational technologies are revolutionizing enzyme engineering for both in vitro and in vivo purposes". Doede Binnema, lector at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen) and prof. Dr. Gert-Jan Euverink (UG) gave an overview of their joint research projects within the green chemistry, among others in the testing ground ZAP Groningen (Zernike Advanced Processing). Dr. Elena Herrero Gomez, Business Development Director at the company MercachemSyncom on Campus Groningen focused on the use of enzymen in the pharma sector, as is done by MercachemSyncom. The lively discussions was managed by moderator Sven Stielstra, business developer at Campus Groningen.
“It is clear that the investments of entrepreneurs and researchers on Campus Groningen who work with these biological engines, really take the field of enzymes further. It is a joy to see that we, also in these circumstances, can share internationally the expertise that was accumulated here, and that we can also create new opportunities"
Vouchers
As a conclusion of the webinar, the audience was invited to become a part of the enzyme ecosystem on Campus Groningen. Until 22 May, companies or researchers can send their ideas in the form of a short pitch to Sven Stielstra (sven@campusgroningen.nl), thus having a chance of winning a voucher for business development support and discount on the use of facilities at Campus Groningen, such as Innolab Agrifood, Innolab Chemistry and ZAP Groningen.
Listening back and questions
The webinar can be listened back to at the Youtube channel of Campus Groningen, including the live-chat and the posed questions. If you have any questions on the presentations of the business opportunities at Campus Groningen, please contact Sven Stielstra, business developer at Campus Groningen (sven@campusgroningen.nl).
