The new Microbial Innovation and Bioanalysis Lab (MicroBioLab) has been established at Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, bringing together the department’s expertise and laboratory capabilities in microbiology and biology within a single platform for research and services.
According to the head of the laboratory, Senior Researcher Olga Bragina, the aim was to provide more comprehensive support for research and product development by drawing on the expertise and methods of different research groups. “We want to work with both companies and researchers to identify suitable approaches to a range of research challenges.”
The laboratory brings together several areas of microbiology and applied biology, including the identification and characterisation of microorganisms, assessment of antimicrobial activity, biological safety assessment and environmental microbiology.
Bragina emphasises that, while the laboratory offers a range of analyses, its main aim is to provide research-based solutions to challenges in these fields. “We want to bridge the gap between research findings and practical needs. We can assess the biological properties of new products, materials and technologies. We help design studies tailored to specific research needs, prepare research proposals and support the development of new products and technologies,” she explains.
Potential partners include companies in the food, biotechnology, cosmetics and environmental technology sectors, as well as developers of new materials. “We welcome collaboration with any company seeking to use research to add value to its products or find new uses for production by-products and residues,” says Bragina.