Optimising biomass conversion on Miscanthus for bioenergy and industrial materials

Lead Research Organisation: Aberystwyth University
Department Name: IBERS

Abstract

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Description This BBSRC International Partner Award (2013-2015) entitled "Optimising biomass conversion on Miscanthus for bioenergy and industrial materials" aimed to build long-term collaborative links between Taiwan and UK scientists to advance bioenergy research on Miscanthus in both countries.

As a result of this project, we have identified several key research areas for long-term research collaboration: 1) applying innovation thinking & approaches to further optimise biomass conversion on Miscanthus for bioenergy and new utilisation discovery; 2) high-throughput biomarker generation, 3) enhance the global 2050 Calculator in Taiwan and in the UK/Europe; and 4) extensive use of modelling in genotype by environment (GxE) association for crop improvement; 5) exploiting further use of modelling approaches to address several global challenges such as the better use of marginal land, efficient use of water resources and climate change.

These findings from the award have also, subsequently resulted in joint publications, grant applications and new awards as followings:-

(1) New award: 2015 BBSRC International workshop (2015-2016) 'Bioenergy and Innovation' (BB/M027643/1) (Value: £9,678)
(2) New award: 2105 BBSRC Flexible Interchange Programme (FLIP) has awarded one of the PI of this project, Professor Iain Donnison on "Taiwan Innovation Exchange FLIP" (Value: £28,177)
(3) Contribute to the joint publications: Clifton-Brown et al 'Progress in upscaling Miscanthus biomass production for the European bioeconomy with seed based hybrids', Global Change Biology Bioenergy (Accepted)
(4) Idea generated from this partnering has been submitted to 2016 BBSRC ICP CASE studentship with Syngenta entitled "From a small seed to a giant bioenergy plant: using Robot Scientist to build Miscanthus seed germination stimulation model under various environmental conditions" (Value: £93,000).

It is expected that further outputs, joint grant proposal, new discovery and impacts generated from this funding award will be updated regularly in ResearchFish in the future.
Exploitation Route The findings resulted from this award are creating international synergy between UK and Taiwan to collaborate in the area of bioenergy research and beyond in particular in the new area identified during this partnering award such as innovation management and the extensive use of modelling to address several global challenges etc. Data from the collaborations can be shared and further integrated and analysed. It is anticipated that the articles/results will be published in open access journals and data will be deposited into public information repository to be further used by others.
Sectors Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment
 
Description The work on CBD and ABS have been recognised in RCUK PraxisUnico Awards. The research was shorted-list as finalist in 'impact to society' category for 2015 competition.
First Year Of Impact 2015
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment
Impact Types Societal
 
Description Provide consultation on the EU Regulation No. 511/2014 on compliance measures for users on the implementation of CBD and Nagoya Protocol in the EU
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
Impact The implementation of CBD and nagoya Protocol has provided one of the practical case study for others to follow on the EU Regulation No. 511/2014 on compliance measures for users on the implementation of CBD and Nagoya Protocol in the EU. The main beneficiaries of this impact are the UK government's agriculture policy legislation body (Defra), the EU, donor countries in Asia, commerce (only compliant germplasm can be commercially exploited in signatory countries) and the global community working on the conservation of natural resources.
URL https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/6b16d48a-dff0-11e3-8cd4-01aa75ed7...
 
Description BBSRC Taiwan-UK International Parnering Awards
Amount £25,000 (GBP)
Organisation Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2018 
End 03/2020
 
Description New partnership with World vegetable Centre in the area of green infrastructure 
Organisation World Vegetable Center
Country Taiwan, Province of China 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The partnering award has resutled in establishing new link with international renowned research organisation World Vegetable Centre (AVRDC) http://avrdc.org/about-avrdc/new-locations/eastern-southern-africa/. We had visited the hedquerater of AVRDC based in Taiwan twice and has reseulted in being awarded a joint GCRF grant application.
Collaborator Contribution This international workshop awards has facilicated in establishing this new link.
Impact We had visit the hedquerater of AVRDC in Taiwan twice and has reseulted in being awarded a joint GCRF grant application on green infrsaturcture. It is a multidisciplinary project.
Start Year 2016