Biotechnological processes are of increasing significance for industrial production, a trend that will likely take up more momentum in the light of decreasing oil availability. Production processes in Industrial Biotechnology make use of recent advances in microbial research. Microbial strains for the production of e.g. fine chemicals, biofuels, secondary metabolites and proteins can now be developed by a rational design strategy. Such a strategy relies on the characterization and optimization of the microbial production host based on omics technologies, systems biology or synthetic biology approaches. Microbial Biotechnology will play an important role on our way towards sustainable use and production of renewable bio-ressources.

The 2010 ESF Bielefeld conference, the first of a series of annual conferences on Advances in Industrial Biotechnology, will promote scientific excellence in microbial biotechnology by providing leading scientists and young researchers with a platform to present their work, to discuss current scientific understanding along with recent developments in key areas of industrial biotechnology, and to identify the priorities for further research.

Deadline for application: 10 September 2010