Activities > European Action on Latin American Functional Foods (EULAFF)

European Action on Latin American Functional Foods (EULAFF)

The EULAFF project focuses on supporting the functional food sectors in Europe and Latin America. It aims at creating an agri-food chain innovation system for identification and development of novel functional foods, in order to build a sustainable bi-regional functional food sector. The specific goals of the EULAFF project will contribute to:

For achieving these goals the project has planned a series of lectures, debates, roundtables and symposia with the participation of authoritative scientists, experts from the industry and several stakeholders from Europe and Latin America. The proposal also includes the development of a virtual community networking system and on-line information resources to support the collaborative effort and to stimulate the dissemination of information pertaining to the use of biological diversity of agricultural crops grown in Latin America with functional food potential.

Contact Info:

Coordinator of the EULAFF Project
Christian Suojanen
Pg. Lluís Companys, 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: + 34 93 268 87 96
Mobile:  +34 617 907 347
Fax: +34 93 268 45 00
E-mail: christian@efb-central.org

Executive Director of the EULAFF Project
Dr. Javier Verástegui
Secretary General of BIOEUROLATINA
Calle de Valderribas, 81, 2do. D, 28007 Madrid, Spain
Mobile:  +34 630 925 374
E-mail:  javier.verastegui@bioeurolatina.com

Activities > European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES)

European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES)

As a major player in life sciences and holding influential positions in international deliberations, Europe has a responsibility to help the developing world deal with the risks, challenges and opportunities of these technologies, and to facilitate the safe and efficient development and use of life sciences and biotechnology in developing countries.

European Action in Global Life Sciences (EAGLES) intends to address these questions by designing and implementing projects to be carried out mostly by life scientists from developing countries that will stimulate and facilitate activities for the European life sciences to respond to the needs of developing countries.

The members of EAGLES are determined to ensure that the skills and resources of European life sciences are properly used for the benefits of mankind. The members of EAGLES believe:

• That the greatest humanitarian challenges for the life sciences lie in the problems of illness, starvation and environmental degradation which are faced by hundreds of millions of people in our world today, and will be faced by millions more in the coming decades.
• That life scientists everywhere have a responsibility to address these global challenges.
• That European life scientists could and should make a much greater contribution to meet these challenges.
• That European policies should facilitate the life sciences in meeting these challenges.

In addressing these challenges that the people of Europe and their leaders should pay careful attention to the knowledge and advice of distinguished life scientists and humanists from the developing and emerging countries.

Contact Info:

European Federation of Biotechnology
Passeig Lluis Companys, 23
08010 Barcelona
Tel. +93 268 7703
Fax. +93 268 4500
efb@efb-central.org

Events > BIOFUELS ARE MORE THAN FUELS

BIOFUELS ARE MORE THAN FUELS

Regional Branch Offices > EFB Central Office (ECO)

EFB Central Office (ECO)

The EFB Central Office is located in Barcelona, where the major administrative work within EFB is being taken care of Membership Administration, Organisation of Executive Board meetings and General Assemblies, website management and organisation of the European Congresses on Biotechnology (from 2005 onwards) are some of the main responsibilities of ECO.
         
Please do not hesitate to contact us in case of general questions regarding EFB:

EFB Central Office (ECO) Karsten Zimny, Financial Director & Office Manager. Fernando Carreño. Pg. Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona - Spain Tel +34 93 268 77 03 Fax +34 93 268 45 00 E-mail: efb@efb-central.org

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO San Juan, PUERTO RICO

EFB RBO San Juan, PUERTO RICO

Region:

The San JUAN RBO is located at the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Puerto Rico.

Contact:

EFB RBO Puerto Rico
Mr Luis E. Rodriguez Rivera
Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
P.O. Box 363475
Postal Code 00936-3475
Phone: +1 787 925 00
Fax: +1 787 523 1599
E-mail:rrodriguez@prsciencetrust.org

Events > ESBES - ISPPP - BIOTHERMODYNAMICS 2010

ESBES - ISPPP - BIOTHERMODYNAMICS 2010

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EFB Home > Interview with Dr. Eduardo Trigo

Interview with Dr. Eduardo Trigo

Dr. Eduardo Trigo, Director of Grupo CEO, a consulting firm specializing in agricultural organization and technology policy issues, and Scientific Adviser to the International Directorate of the Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation of the Argentine Government

“Since the introduction of the new soybean technology, Argentina has more than doubled its grain and oilseed production”

01/03/2007

Dr. Eduardo Trigo is author of the report “Ten Years of Genetically Modified Crops in Argentine Agriculture”, a study that draws attention to the effect that GM crops have had in Argentine Agriculture during the past decade and how this new technology has transformed the country’s agricultural sector and economy. The study has been financed by the Argentine Council for Information and Development of Biotechnology, a non-profit organization whose mission is to make available information on biotechnology, contributing to its understanding through education and promoting its development.

EFB: Dr. Trigo, what is the background to the report “Ten Years of Genetically Modified Crops in Argentine Agriculture” and why did you decide to carry it out?  Where there specific issues you wanted to draw attention to or was this intended to highlight the overall experiences and lessons of 10 years of GM crops in Argentina?
Dr. Eduardo Trigo: “The report is intended to document the Argentinean experience with this type of technology. Back in 2002, we published a similar report looking into the initial five years since the introduction and we already found signs of a very powerful process that was starting to reshape the country’s agriculture. We thought that a decade was a long enough period to look at established trends and we also wanted to highlight what were the drivers shaping this process, particularly as a basis for domestic policy-making. The “soybean era” is gradually reaching its ceiling – land for further expansion is becoming a limiting factor, etc. – and we think that for the country to continue to benefit from the new technologies there is the need for a renewed policy effort and we also wanted to provide support for that process.”

EFB: What have been the most significant impacts in Argentine agriculture after the introduction of genetically modified crops 10 years ago?
ET: “Since the introduction of the new soybean technology, Argentina has more than doubled its grain and oilseed production and it has not only been soybeans; maize has also increased and so have other activities such as beef and dairy. In economic terms, that has amounted to about USD 20 billion in cumulative terms. That in itself is quite impressive but the indirect benefits on employment and other variables should also be taken into account.”

EFB: What has been the overall economic impact on Argentina?
ET: “A conservative estimate, included in the paper, sets global impact at around USD 40 billion and the total number of jobs created at 1 million (over the ten year period under analysis). Regarding the importance of the latter figure, one has to consider that this increase took place during a period when the Argentine labour market went through one of its worst crises, with unemployment going from one digit figures to 23% (only this past month it has gone back to one digit again).”

EFB: What lessons are there for other countries, both developed and developing?
ET: “When tackling this particular issue, one has to be careful. Although Argentina is a developing country, its agricultural sector resembles more that of the developed countries, both in product mix as well as farm structure, and this has been a critical issue in the success of this story. The country foresaw the potential of the new technologies and undertook the necessary policy measures for gaining access to them, but it is also true that the technologies were a perfect fit for the country’s agroecological conditions. Beyond that, one has to highlight a number of issues. First, that of readiness.  By the time the first GM varieties became available, the regulatory system was already in place, and most importantly there existed a suitable germplasm base to which the new genes could be attached, otherwise diffusion would have been highly unlikely. This latter aspect is a key but frequently overlooked aspect in the success of biotechnological innovations. Biotechnological innovations are not a substitute for conventional breeding, on the contrary they go hand-in-hand as farmers would not buy seeds that are not well suited to their particular agro-ecological conditions and for that you need breeding programs and a seed industry that is able to deliver the innovations to the farms. Argentina had all that already in place and any other country that wants to benefit from these technologies – as well from non-GMO biotech, such as marker assisted selections, etc. – needs to have it as well.”
A second point to make is that of the existence a thorough policy oversight along the process so that commercial releases are granted only after considering their possible market implications. In hindsight this may have been less important than thought at the time, but nevertheless it was an element that certainly contributed to building confidence in the technology with the country’s stakeholders.

EFB: What can neighbouring countries learn from the Argentine example?
ET: “The lesson to be learned is: The sooner, the better. In the case of Brazil, it has become evident that due to delays in the decision-making process, farmers were not able to make use of the full potential of these technologies.”

EFB: According to the study, Argentina ranks second place, behind the US, in total planted area with GM crops. What are the main reasons of this swift growth?
ET: “Essentially, the fact that the products available during this first cycle of the technology, as I already mentioned, were a perfect fit with the profile of our agricultural sector and the other set of conditions – policies, international markets, etc. – came together and made it feasible for the country to take full advantage of this situation.”

EFB: How are farmers responding to this new technology and how is the government supporting it?
ET: “Farmers have been key players and the government provided the appropriate regulatory tools and was always supportive in terms of sending the signal that it was going do the right things in terms of assuring market access: “managing” commercial releases so as to not to put at risk access to our main export market – the EU – in the case of corn, siding with the USA in the WTO panel demand, etc.”

EFB: Can you comment on the general public perception of biotechnology in Argentina and agricultural biotechnology and GM crops specifically?
We do not have specific surveys to quote, but all available evidence suggests that for Argentine consumers this is a non-issue, and the farmers’ behaviour in terms of adoption speaks for itself.

What message would you like to leave with members of the European Federation of Biotechnology as they read the report?
ET: “That their continued support for a more proactive Europe in the development of the new technologies is the right position and it will become even more important as biotechnology moves beyond GMOs. The Argentine story is a powerful one, showing quite clearly the potential of the new technologies; not only for improving the country’s economic and social conditions, but also in terms of what they could contribute globally to produce the food the world will need in the coming years. It is also a safe technology and under the right conditions – as the ones existing in Argentina at the time, because of the interphase with no-till practices – a win-win situation in terms of its environmental and economic impacts. However, this experience is not easy to extrapolate to other conditions, because of the particular nature of Argentine agriculture and also because of the fact that most of today’s advances are present in crops suited for temperate environments, which are the basis of international commodities trade. There is very little done for the semi-tropical / tropical and small farmers’ conditions, which accounts for the largest share of the world’s poorer farmers. This is the next frontier and it could become the most relevant source of biotech’s social and environmental benefits. But for that to occur, greater involvement of the research capacities of regions such as Europe will be needed and in this the EFB has a key role to play.”

Sections & Workgroups > Section on Plant Biotechnology

Section on Plant Biotechnology

Dear friends:

We have drafted a letter to Indian Agricultural Minister Hon. Sharad Pawar asking him to please explore ways to reverse the moratorium on Bt brinjal. We are calling on global scientific community to sign on, and thus send a strong message that India should move forward with technology and make critical policy decisions on sound science.

Please sign and also forward to as many scientists in India and elsewhere that you may know.

http://www.petitiononline.com/brinjal1/petition.html 

Please be assured that your email address will never be made public and also I will take this petition down after a week.
 

Contact Info:

Dr. Valerie Frankard
Email: valerie.frankard@cropdesign.com

EFB Home > News Room/Image Gallery

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EFB Home > EAGLES address members of the European Parliament

EAGLES address members of the European Parliament

EAGLES address members of the European Parliament

European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES) is an initiative of the European Federation of Biotechnology supported by the European Commission.

Brussels, 11/10/2006 – On October 11, the European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES) organised a dinner debate in Brussels with about 40 participants from the European Parliament, the European Commission and EAGLES. The background for the meeting was the lack of clear dedication and focus in the 7th Framework Programme on the great humanitarian challenges of hunger, illness and environmental degradation which plague the developing countries.

A better dialogue is needed, and EAGLES –an initiative of the European Federation of Biotechnology supported by the European Commission- is a platform for achieving this dialogue between scientists from the developing countries and European politicians, policy makers, members of the media and other leaders of public opinion. The meeting was initiated by MEP Britta Thomsen, who also introduced the three speakers and chaired the discussion. 

EAGLES Chair Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Library of Alexandria, gave an enlightening vision of the role of research in the fight against poverty, fundamentalism and isolationism, backed by a historical review of the trends in life sciences over the last 50 years. As an example on how important research and know-how can be, he mentioned India which in the early 1960s was deemed by many economists and development experts not to be able to feed its population of then less than 300 million people. Today the size of the Indian population has increased three times and India is a major food exporter in Asia. Dr. Serageldin suggested that knowledge was a key factor in development and knowledge should be considered a global public good – a human right. With knowledge, research and education we can abolish hunger and poverty related disease and Europe has an obligation to share its knowledge with the developing world.
EAGLES Co-Vice Chairman Prof. Huanming Yang, Director of the Beijing Genome Institute, who contributed to the Human Genome Project and led the Chinese rice genome initiative, referred to his own early experience with European scientists in Denmark where he spent several years pursuing his PhD.  He advocated for assistance to emerging and developing countries not in the form of food aid, but by supporting knowledge and technology generation. He underscored that all life sciences are related, and that life sciences are, literally speaking, vital for the future and stability of the
world. Trust built on research collaboration is the key which will also lead to mutual benefits. He advised Europe to place much more emphasis on its status as a continent of many countries in harmony, and as a society built on knowledge and partnership. 
World Health representative Dr. Gojka Roglic was the last speaker. Her presentation was a follow up from the recent EAGLES Symposium in Alexandria (April 2006), on the emerging epidemics of diabetes and other chronic diseases in the developing world. Dr. Roglic demonstrated that diabetes is exploding in the developing world, and she went through the ten most common misconceptions about diabetes and its complications: Diabetes is not a disease of the wealthy - 80% is in the low or middle income countries.  It mainly affects poor people.  It is not a disease of the old.  It affects men and women equally. It is not only a problem of choice of life style. It can be prevented, and prevention does not need to be expensive.  You have to die from something, but it does not have to be premature after a slow, painful and chronic disease like diabetes.
After each presentation and during the final debate a number of prominent MEP’s and officers from the European Commission commented on the presentations and discussed the main issue: that the draft of the European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme (FP7) is not taking sufficient account of the problems of the developing world and there lacks a dedicated programme or framework for collaboration with the developing world. The final discussion had a very positive atmosphere with many interventions from parliamentarians who are playing a key role in the development of the research budget of FP7. 
It was suggested by EAGLES that there should be a 5% budget target for research relevant to the developing world. MEP Theresa Riera had already suggested a target in the Parliament but did not get sufficient support. 
If the Commission developed a mechanism in FP7 for measuring research and research training and collaboration with the developing world this mechanism could give an important indication on how the coming policy of “open collaboration but no dedicated budget would go”. Such an indicator could be important for the decision makers and could be used for putting more focus on the development issue. 
A hearing in the Parliament or a Parliament Global Science Day, which would focus attention on the role of European science in the developing world, was suggested.  Both MEP’s and members of the European Commission asked for more active debate and more lobby activities on this issue organised
by the research community.
EAGLES Co-Vice Chairman Prof. David McConnell summed up the meeting and promised to follow up on the different comments and suggestions. Britta Thomsen thanked the participants for a very fruitful debate.

For additional information about EAGLES, please contact:
Jens Degett, Executive Director of EAGLES
jdegett@jubii.dk
Hernani 68, 6B
28020 Madrid, Spain
Tel.: +34 91 220 3157
Skype Name: jensdegett
EAGLES Website: http://www.efb-central.org/eagles/

EFB Home > News Room/In the News

News Room/In the News

EFB Home > News Room/Executive Biographies

News Room/Executive Biographies

EFB Home > News Room/Press Releases

News Room/Press Releases

Welcome to the EFB News Room. Here you will find detailed information about the Federation, executive biographies, news releases, media contacts, and other media-related content.

Weblinks > Credit

Credit

• EFB-Central.org was designed and built by Wonder Monkey Ltd. in Spain.

Members Directory > Private Companies

Private Companies

Private

Members Directory > Learned Societies

Learned Societies

Learned

Members Directory > Universities

Universities

University

Activities > European Focus on Biotechnology in China (EFBIC)

European Focus on Biotechnology in China (EFBIC)

The European Focus on Biotechnology in China (EFBIC) is a collaborative project between the China National Centre for Biotechnology Development and the European Federation of Biotechnology. EFBIC is funded by the European Commission, and supported by the Chinese Ministry of Science & Technology through CNCBD.

The Mission
EFBIC aims to establish strategic relations between high-level decision makers in Europe and China in the field of biotechnology and biological science. With government, science, industry and public interest organisations, EFBIC works to encourage, develop and facilitate collaborations in research, training and innovation between European and Chinese scientists.

Activities
The European Focus on Biotechnology in China is one of the activities of the Task Group on International Relations. The main activities of EFBIC are to:
   

     
• Organise China-EU Workshops on key topics of mutual scientific and commercial interests      
• Arrange and fund exchanges, visits and fellowships for European and Chinese officials, decision makers, regulators, industrialists and scientists      
• Produce briefings on opportunities for joint scientific and commercial development      

Contact Info:

EFBIC Contact Forum
     
All Chinese and European scientists, officials, and industrialists interested in joining EFBIC workshops, participating in other EFBIC activities, or contributing to the expansion of the Sino-European network in biotechnology are welcome to register as members of EFBIC Contact Forum with:

Prof. Brian Clark
Chairman of the EFB Task Group on International Relations
Tel: +45 8942 5055
Fax: +45 8619 1959
E-mail: bfcc@mb.au.dk

About the EFB > The Executive Board

The Executive Board

The Executive Board consists of all Chairmen of the different EFB Sections and Task Groups, the EFB Secretary General, and the Treasurer.

Three representatives of EFB-Academia (Learned Societies, universities, institutes or other science based public institutions), three representatives of EFB-Industry (companies and National Bioindustry Associations) and three members from the Regional Branch Office managers are elected by the General Assembly and belong to the ExBo. Up to two co-opted ExBo members may be proposed by the President.

The Executive Board has the authority to decide on all activities and operations of EFB except those that explicitly require approval by the General Council. The ExBo elects the EFB President and two to four Vice-Presidents.

Prof. Marc van Montagu EFB President	Prof. Brian Clark Vice President, Chairman Task Group on Education & Mobility	Prof. Charlie F. A. Bryce Vice President, Chairman Task Group on International Relations & Phyto-Pharmacy Section	Prof. Jeff Cole Vice President, Chairman Section on Microbial Physiology
Jens Sundbye Treasurer	Dr. Roland Wohlgemuth Chairman, Section on Applied Biocatalysis	Prof. Klaus Ammann Chairman, Section on Biodiversity	Dr. Piet Lens Chairman, Section on Environmental Biotechnology
Dr. Andreani Odysseos Chairman, Section on Medicines Development	Dr. Arantxa Sanz Chairman, Section on NanoBiotechnology	Prof. Dr. Alois Jungbauer Chairman, Section on Biochemical Engineering Science	Dr. Mike Taussig Chairman, Section on Applied Functional Genomics
Dr. Wieland Wolf Chairman, Associated Section on Pharma Medical Biotechnology (EAPB)	Sebastian Olenyi Chairman, Associated Section Young European Biotech Network (YEBN)	Dr. Bo Heiden Chairman, Task Group on Innovation (TG INN)	Prof. Julian Kinderlerer Chairman, Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology
Dr. Patrick Rudelsheim Chairman, Task Group on Safety in Biotechnology	Dr. Diethard Mattanovich Elected Member, Academia	Prof. Joost Teixeira de Mattos Elected Member, Academia	Dr. Carmen Vela Elected Member, Industry
Dr. Valerie Frankard Chair, Section on Plant Biotechnology	Dr. Willi Meier Elected Representative, RBO	Prof. Francesc Gòdia Elected Representative, RBO	Francesco Lescai Elected Member, RBO Bologna.
Christian Suojanen Officer for Government & Industrial Relations	Prof. Wilf Mitchell Co-opted, Academia	Prof. Mathias Uhlen Co-opted, Academia

Sections & Workgroups > Section on Biochemical Engineering Science (ESBES)

Section on Biochemical Engineering Science (ESBES)

Biochemical Engineering Science is an applied science discipline comprising elements from the BioSciences as well as from the defining disciplines of Engineering Science, namely Physics and Mathematics, used to create models for Biological Systems in both small and large scale and to solve these models numerically in order to guide both experimental work and design of processes. Special topics of Biochemical Engineering Science include Analysis of Bioreactors and of Downstream Process equipment in order to optimize the yield of the desired products and of the productivity of the system. Thus, Biochemical Engineering Science can also lead to better control systems through an understanding of the systems dynamics, and through incorporation of molecular tools on a quantitative basis it may lead to the discovery and design of completely new processes or products for the Bio Industry.

The European Federation of Biotechnology established its first Section, the Section on Biochemical Engineering Science (ESBES), in August 1995 by interlinking the Working Parties on Bioreactor Performance, Downstream Processing, and Measurement and Control of the European Federation of Biotechnology. ESBES organises activities that encourage integration and interaction such as:

• Bi-annual congresses on Biochemical Engineering

• Courses

• Exchanges of PhDs, Post-doctoral fellows and lecturers between European laboratories

• Workshops on new developments

Presently the Section on Biochemical Engineering Science is an active association of 4 Working Groups:

1. Working Group on Downstream Processing
2. Working Group on Modelling, Monitoring, Measurement & Control (M3C)
3. Working Group on Bioreactor Performance
4. Working Group on Biotransformations

All European biotechnologists with interest in Biochemical Engineering are invited to become members of ESBES and take part in the activities of the Working Groups.

If you have further questions regarding the work of the Section on Biochemical Engineering Science, please visit the ESBES website or contact:

Contact Info:

Prof. Alois Jungbauer
Laboratory of Protein Technology
and Downstream Processing
Austrian Center of Biotechnology
Department of Biotechnology
University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences
Muthgasse 18
1190 Vienna
Austria
Tel +43 136006 6226
Fax +43 1 3697615
E-mail: alois.jungbauer@boku.ac.at
www.boku.ac.at/iam/dn/
www.dechema.de/BEST2010

Membership > Join Us

Join Us

Apply for Institutional and/or Personal membership:

• EFB Membership Form 2008
• Online Application Form for Institutional Membership
• Online Application Form for Personal Membership (Free of charge)

Membership Categories & Fees:

Membership > Why Join?

Why Join?

Established by European scientists in 1978, the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) is Europe’s non-profit federation of National Biotechnology Associations, Learned Societies, Universities, Scientific Institutes, Biotech Companies and individual biotechnologists working to promote Biotechnology throughout Europe and beyond.

The Aims of EFB are to advance the responsible use of the Life Sciences, to promote research at the cutting edge of biotechnology, to provide a forum for interdisciplinary and international cooperation, to improve scientific education and to facilitate dialogues between scientists and the public.

The Mission of EFB is to promote the safe, sustainable and beneficial use of Nature’s resources through the application of knowledge in the Life Sciences and biotechnology. Membership is open to all organisations and individuals involved in Biotechnology with an active interest in and a desire to play a central role in the European biotech community.

Institutional Membership Benefits (Print Friendly)

• Promote international and interdisciplinary cooperation throughout Europe and beyond
• Foster collaboration between academia, research and industry
• Stimulate innovation & technology transfer
• Promote the socially and ethically sound application of biotechnology
• Organize workshops, meetings and the biennial European Congress on Biotechnology
• Promote training & education
• Improve understanding of safety issues in biotechnology
• Promote public understanding of biotechnology
• Prepare position papers, white papers, briefings, reviews and reports
• Maintain good contacts with and serve in an advisory capacity to the European Commission
• Disseminate information on EC funding opportunities and science policy issues
• Promote and defend the beneficial use of biotechnology

• Full and prestigious status as an Institutional Member and voting member of the General Assembly
• A voice in the direction, priorities and strategy of EFB and our communications and advice to the European Commission
• Influence industry & academic initiatives and public policy through participation on our sections, task groups, and white papers and initiatives
• Be informed of and participate in EFB projects, many of which are major European projects with an international focus and key partners around the world
• Inclusion of your full profile in the EFB Annual Membership Directory
• Build your network with the biotechnology business and research communities
• Information Services: Website includes news releases, industry & academic information and upcoming biotech events
• Subscription to the EFB newsletter: The EFB newsletter is an exclusive publication with information and special offers of interest to members, articles about EFB’s activities and editorial pieces (up to 10 named recipients)
• Inclusion of your full profile in the EFB Annual Membership Directory
• Access to members-only areas of the EFB website and forums
• Visibility for your institution on the EFB website, with a link to your site
• Free access to and announcement of job opportunities on the EFB jobs site
• Special discounts & offers on all EFB events
• Special EFB Member Discounts at many of Europe's leading biotechnology events
• Exclusive opportunities to reach our 4,400 plus members through EFB events and publications
• Participation and/or presentations at key conferences, congresses and related academic & industry events
• Complimentary invitations to EFB seminars and meetings open exclusively to Institutional Members and VIP guests (1 representative per Institutional Member per event)
• Eligibility to serve on the Executive Board and Management Committees

Sections & Workgroups > Section on Microbial Physiology

Section on Microbial Physiology

Microbial growth and metabolism play key roles in all of the major geochemical cycles of Planet Earth, consuming and replenishing carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and sulphur in the biosphere. Microbes can be extremely beneficial. They are essential tools in environmental biotechnology, biodegradation, composting, the supply of fresh drinking water, the safe disposal of sewage, and in food, wine and beer production. But they can also cause disease and food deterioration. Microbial physiology is the study of microbial structure and function, in particular, how microbial activity responds to changes in the environment.  It is therefore the key to controlling detrimental aspects of microbes, and to exploiting them for the good of the human race.

The EFB Section on Microbial Physiology was founded on 17 August 1997, during an EFB General Assembly. One of its main activities is the organization of high-level scientific symposia. Major features of these activities are:

1. they are interdisciplinary, bringing together molecular microbiologists, geneticists, environmental and industrial biotechnologists and chemical engineers;
2. they are truly international, typically attended by participants from across the world;
3. all sectors are represented: industry, academia, research institutes and government agencies.

Meetings are organized at 2 to 4 year intervals around a series of focused themes that include:

 
• recombinant protein production;  
• analysis of microbial physiology at the single cell level;  
• microbial response to environmental stress;  
• bacterial electron transfer processes and their genetic regulation; and  
• the physiology of yeast and filamentous fungi.

Other activities include participation in short courses; drafting of position papers for the European Commission, and provision of expertise for European governmental agencies.

For information about the last meeting of the Microbial Physiology Section, please give click on: Section Minutes

Contact Info:

For further information about the Section on Microbial Physiology, please visit the Section website or contact:
 
Prof. Dr. Jeff Cole (Chairman)
University of Birmingham
School of Biochemistry
P.O. Box 363
UK, Birmingham B15 2TT
Tel: +44 121 414 5440
Fax: +44 121 414 5925
E-mail: J.A.Cole@BHAM.AC.UK

Publications > Books, Proceedings

Books, Proceedings

Handling Scientific Uncertainty in European Environmental Decision-Making
Report of the Seminar, 17-18 April 2000, London (with Green Alliance and the Economic and Social Research Council, UK). Published by the Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology

Ethical Aspects of Agricultural Biotechnology
Published by the Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology (1999)
ISBN 90-76110-05-0

“Dialogue in Biotechnology” - Report on the Workshop on 20 April 1998 in Brussels
Published by the EFB Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology (1998)
ISBN 90-76110-04-2

Biotechnology in the Public Sphere: A European Sourcebook
edited by John Durant, Martin W Bauer and George Gaskell
Published by Science Museum London (1998)
ISBN 1 900747 09 X

Applied Biocatalysis
edited by J.M.S. Cabral, D. Best, L. Boross, J. Tramper
harwood academic publishers (May 1994)
ISBN 3-7186-5391-5

ECB 6 - Proceedings of the 6th European Congress on Biotechnology
Florence, Italy, 13 - 17 June 1993
Elsevier Science B.V. (1994), Part I and II
ISBN 0-444-89992-8

Recovery of Bioproducts
Study Report of the Working Party on Downstream Processing and Recovery of Bioproducts
SCI (June 1993), 130 pages
ISBN 0-901001-79-1
To be obtained from: SCI Publications Department, 14/15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS, UK; Fax: +44(0)171 823 1698, E-mail: books@chemind.demon.co.uk

Publications > Review Papers

Review Papers

“Made by Genetic Engineering” Series Prepared by the Section on Applied Functional Genomics (former Working Party on Applied Molecular Genetics)

Made by Genetic Engineering articles are re-published here on-line by kind permission of Elsevier Science, publishers of Journal of Biotechnology in which this series of articles are published. Such provision is made on the basis that further copies are not made for systematic distribution. For further information contact the Publishing Editor at c.cherrington@elsevier.nl.

1. Glucagon and LH (2000) OLSEN T and DIDERICHSEN B, FONJALLAZ P and LOUMAYE E Glucagon and Recombinant LH J Biotech 2000; 79 : 185-189
2. Glucocerebrosidase and Lyme disease vaccine (2000) HOPPE H, CROOY P and LOBET Y Glucocerebrosidase and Lyme disease vaccine J Biotech 2000; 76 : 259-263
3. Chymosin and Phytase (1999) VAN DIJCK P.W.M. Chymosin and Phytase J Biotech 1999; 67 : 77-80
4. Alzheimer tau test and Detergent cellulase (1998) VANMACHELEN E, VANDERSTICHELE H, JONES B and QUAX W Alzheimer tau test and Detergent cellulase J Biotech 1998; 66 : 229-233
5. Coagulation factor VII and Folicle stimulating hormone (1998) HEDNER U, LUND-HANSEN T, HEIKOOP J.C. and OLIJVE W. Coagulation factor VII and Folicle stimulating hormone J Biotech 1998; 61 : 231-236
6. Tissue plasminogen activator and Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (1998) WERZ W and WERNER R and TILL R Tissue plasminogen activator and Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor J Biotech 1998; 61 : 157-161
7. Interferon gamma and rabies vaccine (1996) FALKNER E and MAURER-FOGY I, TERRÉ J, CHAPPUIS G, LOMBARD M and DESMETTRE P Recombinant interferon gamma for the therapy of immunological Eradication of rabies, using a rec-DNA vaccine J Biotech 1996; 46 : 155-9

Publications > Briefing Papers

Briefing Papers

New Biotechnology is the official journal of the European Federation of Biotechnology and is published bimonthly. It covers both the science of biotechnology and its surrounding political, business and financial milieu. For more info, please read here:

The aim of the briefing papers, prepared by the Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology, is to provide information and does not represent the views or policy of the European Federation of Biotechnology or any other body.

1. GM Crop Market Dynamics: the example of Soya Beans (2002) This briefing paper discusses some of the key issues and market dynamics associated with the developing segmentation of markets into GM-derived and non-GM-derived materials. It concentrates on the example of herbicide tolerant soya beans which is the most widely grown GM crop globally and has been the primary focus of debate surrounding the issue of GM crop acceptability in Europe.
2. Gene technology and ethics in the plant and foods area (2002) This document is an abridged version of a two-part, 180-page report on ethics and genetic engineering. The report was prepared by the Centre for Ethics and Law for the Danish National Consumer Agency, which is part of the Danish Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs. The complete report is intended to contribute to the government’s work on a new Council of Europe convention which will lay the foundation of ethical principles for the development and use of genetic engineering in the plant and foods area. The first part of the report, Gene technology and ethics in the plant and foods area: Conventions and declarations, was written by Peter Kemp and Kjersti Lunde. The second part, Gene technology and ethics in the plant and foods area: Regulation and national visions, was written by Peter Kemp, Kjersti Lunde and Lisbeth Witthøfft Nielsen.
3. Biodiversity: the Impact of Biotechnology (2001) Biotechnology, while controversial particularly in agricultural applications, has the potential to improve sustainability in several ways and is expected, thereby, to help maintain natural as well as agricultural biodiversity. This paper results from the combined contributions of scientists, industrialists, and governmental and public interest organisations across Europe.
4. Antibiotic Resistance Markers in Genetically Modified (GM) Crops (2001) The use of marker genes for resistance to certain antibiotics in the development of genetically modified (GM) crops has given rise to considerable public concern. This briefing paper reviews what they are and why they are used, how the safety of GM crops is regulated and the possible alternatives to their use. The overall aim is to provide balanced information and advance public debate. This paper results from the combined contributions of scientists, industrialists, and governmental and public interest organisations across Europe.
5. Environmental Biotechnology, Second edition January 1999 This briefing paper explores the various areas of environmental biotechnology together with their related issues and implications.
6. Biotechnology Legislation in Central & Eastern Europe (1999) The aim of this briefing paper is to provide critical analysis of the key biotechnology legislation which has been adopted within the CEE countries.
7. Lessons from the Swiss biotechnology referendum (1998) This briefing paper analyses the Swiss referendum held on June 7, 1998, and draws conclusions from it for the broader European context. The text was authored by the Vice-Chairman of the Task Group, Professor Richard Braun.
8. Dialogue in Biotechnology (1998) This briefing paper, which results from a Task Group survey, draws together the experience derived from organising round table meetings with participants from different groups - industry, public interest organisations, government, retailers, scientists - around Europe.
9. What’s what in Biotechnology? (1997) This briefing paper aims to answer frequently asked questions about the developments in biotechnology and to clarify terms which are used interchangeably.
10. Dealings with the Media (1996) The purpose of this briefing paper is to explain, particularly for scientists working in biotechnology, how the media operate. It shows how specialists and journalists can work together in ways that are constructive and may be mutually beneficial.
11. Patenting in Biotechnology, September 1996 (update of ‘Patenting Life’ paper, first published June 1993) The techniques of genetic modification allow new characteristics to be introduced into living organisms, but there is debate over how far resulting modified life forms should be patentable. US law allows patents to be considered for all modified organisms whether they be microorganisms, plants or non-human animals. In Europe, a European Commission proposal for a Council Directive is under consideration to endorse the availability of such rights in all EU countries. This paper considers the scientific developments which have led to the possibility of “patenting life,” and the concerns about it.
12. The application of human genetic research (1995) The aim of this briefing paper is to review the scientific developments that have led to current and planned human genetic research together with the important related ethical, social, legal and economic issues. In this context there is the common need for information and understanding about these topics and therefore the overall aim of this briefing paper is to provide balanced information to advance the debate about them.
13. Biotechnology in foods and drinks (1994) The aim of this briefing paper is to review the scientific developments in biotechnology for the production of foods and drinks, to analyse the important issues concerning the public about them and to review the developing legislation for their regulation and labelling. The paper results from the combined contributions of scientists, industrialists, and governmental, environmental and consumer group representatives.

WeblinksEFB Home > EFB related sites

EFB related sites

• Section on Biochemical Engineering Science (ESBES)
• Section on Microbial Physiology
• Section on Agri-Biotechnology
• Section on Applied Biocatalysis (ESAB)
• Section on Medicines Development
• Section on NanoBiotechnology
• Associated Section on Pharma Medical Biotechnology (EAPB)
• Associated Section YEBN (Young European Biotech Network)
• Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology
• Task Group on Safety in Biotechnology
• Task Group on European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES)

EFB Home > EFB Regional Branch Office Applications

EFB Regional Branch Office Applications

The general tasks proposed to all approved applicants fall into two categories:

A: Standard Regional Tasks
B: Support and cooperation with selected EFB Sections and Task Groups (optional).

A: Standard Regional Tasks

• Representation to national government and regional authorities
• Coordination of regional and selected projects
• Coordination of or cooperation on selected EC (and other) applications
• Various contacts (ministries, universities, organisations, media)
• Arrange regional meetings, workshops, conferences etc
• Arrange meetings and workshops in the region for EFB Sections and Task Groups
• Regional membership campaigns
• Distribute info about EFB and EFB events in the region
• Ensure EFB presence at relevant events in region
• Establish data base on institutions and contacts in the region
• Disseminate info about EU (and other) funding opportunities in the region
• Facilitate EFB media contacts in the region
• Deliver regional information and data for EFB website, data base, EFB Central Office (ECO) and EFB Executive Board (ExBo).

B: Support and cooperation with selected EFB Sections and Task Groups

Regional Branch Offices which have an interest in doing so are encouraged to work with EFB Sections or Task Groups, and to consider playing an active role in these such as by hosting activities or providing the Secretariat.

Region
Region typically means country or region within a country, although in exceptional circumstances may include neighbouring countries or regions, to be specified in the agreement. Regional Branch Offices (RBOs) are named according to city or country of residence.

Income
Some of the above regional activities may generate income for the RBO subject to agreement with EFB Sections, Task Groups or EFB Central Office (ECO).

Sections and Task Groups
RBOs may support and collaborate with selected Sections or Task Groups according to individual agreements with their chairmen. To ensure proper coordination, new collaborations of this kind need to be approved by the President. The Executive Board may decide to discontinue selected collaborations if in the overall interest of EFB.

Duration
The agreement should be valid for minimum of 2 years and maximum 5 years, automatically renewable upon agreement of both parties.

RBO Fee
The annual EFB membership fee for a Regional Branch Office is €1,000

Important Comment
Please consider the above as guidelines describing EFB’s suggestions for specifications of a collaboration which builds on shared interests and mutual trust. The goal is to develop a mutually beneficial relationship.

Please note that RBOs report to the EFB Executive Board either directly at Executive Board meetings or through the Secretary General and Central Office. RBO delegates will be invited to each Executive Board meeting.  All parties are expected to work in a collaborative, flexible and open-minded manner.

Application
To be considered for Regional Branch Office status, a formal application must be submitted to the Secretary General. This will then be discussed at the next Executive Board meeting, to which the candidate will be invited, and approval will be made by simple majority vote of the Executive Board. The application should include

• Formal letter of application
• Description of the applicant & overview of activities
• Description of how the RBO’s activities will support or be of value to the EFB

Guidelines for Regional Branch Offices

Activities
RBOs carry out activities serving interests in the various areas of research and technology and across the sectors of biotechnology covered by the whole EFB (e.g. innovation, education, public perceptions, international relations, biosafety), in close co-operation with Central Office and under the guidance of the Executive Board.

Organisation and operation
RBOs decide their own manner of organisation and operation as long as they adhere to the Mission and Objectives of EFB, are consistent with EFB Statutes and follow the guidance that occasionally may be issued by Executive Board. All activities carried out in the name of the EFB must be approved in advance and must conform to the general principles of EFB. 

Status and agreement
Official status as an EFB RBO will be granted and publicized in all appropriate EFB materials, website and at appropriate EFB events. The specific rights and obligations of Branch Offices will be specified in a formal agreement between the Branch Office and EFB.

Funding and financial arrangements
From successful experience, funding for activities at the RBO can be from:

• conferences, symposia, workshops, etc
• contracts for European Commission-funded projects
• industry, as long as EFB interests and independence are not compromised
• national funding bodies, foundations, etc
• collaborations and partnerships with other non-profit and commercial organisations for specific activities as long as EFB interests and independence are not compromised
• journals and other publications

Activities must not deprive the EFB Central Fund, Central Office, Sections or Task Groups of any significant financial income unless agreed upon by the Executive Board. RBO managers are requested to attend the Executive Board meetings of the EFB. Travel expenses for these meetings should be covered by the RBO.

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Aarhus, DENMARK

EFB RBO Aarhus, DENMARK

Region:

The Aarhus RBO is located at BioMedico Forum and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Denmark.

EFB Activities:

Besides their regional tasks, the EFB RBO Aarhus is interested in supporting the work of the EFB Task Group on EAGLES - European Action on Global Life Sciences, the Task Group on Innovation, and the Section on Applied Functional Genomics.

More Information:

Homepage

Contact:

EFB RBO Aarhus
Dr. Jens Sundbye
BioMedico Forum
Forskerparken
Gustav Wieds Vej 10
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Phone: +45 8620 5080
Fax: +45 8620 1222
E-mail:js@ebiomedicoforum.dk

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Tartu, ESTONIA

EFB RBO Tartu, ESTONIA

Region:

The Tartu RBO is located at the Estonian Genome Foundation and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

EFB Activities:

Besides their regional tasks, the EFB RBO Tartu is interested in participating in the work of the EFB Section on Applied Functional Genomics and the Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology.

More Information:

• Short Profile
• Homepage

Contact:

EFB RBO Tartu
Mrs. Maris Vali
Estonian Genome Foundation
Riia 23 Str.
Tartu 50410, Estonia
Phone: +372 742 01 32
Fax: +372 742 02 86
E-mail:maris.vali@ebc.ee

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Turku, FINLAND

EFB RBO Turku, FINLAND

Region:

The Turku RBO is located at Turku Science Park Ltd and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Finland and St. Petersburg.

EFB Activities:

Besides their regional tasks, the EFB RBO Turku is interested in participating in the work of the EFB Section on Agri-Biotechnology - Working Group on Functional Food - as well as the EFB Task Group on Innovation and the Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology.

More Information:

• Short Profile
• Homepage

Contact:

EFB RBO Turku
Mr. Tero Piispanen
Turku Science Park Ltd
Itainen Pitkakatu 4 B
20520 Turku
Phone. +358 2 880 3100
Fax: +358 2 4101610
E-mail: tero.piispanen@turkusciencepark.com

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Paris, FRANCE

EFB RBO Paris, FRANCE

Region:

The Paris RBO is located at the Societe de Chimie Industrielle and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for France.

More Information:

Homepage

Contact:

EFB RBO Paris
Dr. Jean Buendia
c/o Société de Chimie Industrielle
28, rue Saint-Dominique
F-75007 Paris
Phone +33 1 53 59 02 15
Fax +33 1 45 55 40 33
E-mail:sci.fr@wanadoo.fr

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Frankfurt, GERMANY

EFB RBO Frankfurt, GERMANY

Region:

The Frankfurt RBO is located at Dechema and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Germany.

More information:

Homepage

Contact:

EFB RBO Frankfurt
Dr. Willi Meier
DECHEMA e.V.
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25
D-60486 Frankfurt, Germany
Phone +49 69 7564 143
Fax +49 69 7564 302
E-mail: meier@dechema.de

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Athens, GREECE

EFB RBO Athens, GREECE

Region:

The Athens RBO is located at Bionova Ltd. and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Greece.

Contact:

EFB RBO Athens
Dr. Alex Pavlou
Mediterranean Biosciences
Chios Public Fish market. Office 22
82100 Chios Island
Tel. : +30 6977714961
Fax : +30 2109943083
E-mail: apavlou@biotechgreece.com

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Szeged, HUNGARY

EFB RBO Szeged, HUNGARY

Region:
The Szeged RBO is located at the Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Hungary, Slovenia and South-Eastern Europe.

EFB Activities:

Besides their regional tasks, the EFB RBO Szeged is interested in supporting the EFB Section on Environmental Biotechnology.

More Information:

• RBO Manager
• Homepage

Contact:

EFB RBO Szeged
Prof. Kornel L. Kovacs
Department of Biotechnology
University of Szeged
Temesvari krt. 62
H-6726 Szeged
Phone. +3662 544 351
Fax: +3662 544 352
E-mail: kornel@nucleus.szbk.u-szeged.hu

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Bologna, ITALY

EFB RBO Bologna, ITALY

Region:

The Bologna RBO is located at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Bologna, and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Italy, Vatican and San Marino.

EFB Activities:

Besides their regional tasks, the EFB RBO Bologna is interested in supporting the EFB Associated Section YEBN (Young European Biotech Network) and participating in the work of the Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology and the Task Group on Education and Mobility.

More Information:

Homepage

Contact:

EFB RBO Bologna
Prof. Lanfranco Masotti
Department of Biochemistry
University of Bologna
Via Irnerio 48
I-40126 Bologna
Phone: +39 051 209 1221
Fax: +39 051 209 1230
E-mail: masotti@biocfarm.unibo.it

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Oslo, NORWAY

EFB RBO Oslo, NORWAY

Region:
The Oslo RBO serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Norway and Iceland.

EFB Activities:

Besides their regional tasks, the EFB RBO Oslo is interested in participating in the work of the EFB Section on Applied Functional Genomics and the Task Group on European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES).

More Information:

• RBO Manager
• Homepage

Contact:

EFB RBO Oslo
Jens Gran
c/o Birkeland Innovation
Gaustadallen 21
No 0349 Oslo
Tel. +47 22840057
Fax. +47 22840081
E-mail:jens.gran@medcoast.org

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Warsaw, POLAND

EFB RBO Warsaw, POLAND

Region:

The Warsaw RBO is located at the Warsaw University of Technology and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Poland, Ukraine and Belarus.

EFB Activities:

Besides their regional tasks, the EFB RBO Lodz is interested in participating in the work of the EFB Section on Applied Biocatalysis and the Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology.
Furthermore, the Lodz RBO has a strong background and interest in the 6th Framework Programme of the European Commission.

More Information:

• Homepage
• RBO Manager

Contact:

EFB RBO Warsaw
Dr. Maciej Pilarek
Warsaw University of Technology
Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering
Warynskiego 1
PL-00-641 Warsaw
Phone: + 48 22 2346272
E-mail:pilarek@ichip.pw.edu.pl

Regional Branch Offices > RBO Moscow, RUSSIA

RBO Moscow, RUSSIA

Region:

The Moscow RBO is located at the Russian Society of Biotechnologists and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Russia.

Contact:

EFB RBO Aarhus
Dr. Raif Vasilov
Russian Society of Biotechnologists
33 Leninsky prospect, build 1
off. 364, Moscow, 119071
Phone: + 7 495 648 09 13
E-mail:obr@biorosinfo.ru

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Ljubljana, SLOVENIA

EFB RBO Ljubljana, SLOVENIA

Region:

The Ljubljana RBO is located at the National Institute of Chemistry and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Slovenia.

More Information:

Homepage

Contact:

EFB RBO Ljubljana
Dr. Vladka Gaberc Porekar
National Institute of Chemistry
Hajdrihova 19
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Phone: +386 1 4760 241
E-mail:vladka.gaberc.porekar@ki.si

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Madrid, SPAIN

EFB RBO Madrid, SPAIN

Region:

The Madrid RBO is located at the Spanish Society of Biotechnology (SEBiot) and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Spain.

More Information:

Homepage

Contact:

EFB RBO Madrid
Prof. José Luis Garcia
Sociedad Española de Biotecnologia (SEBIOT)
Vitubrio 8
E-28006 Madrid
Phone: +34 91 561 3464
E-mail: jlgarcia@cib.csic.es

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Gothenburg, SWEDEN

EFB RBO Gothenburg, SWEDEN

Region:
The Gothenburg RBO serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Sweden.
 
More Information:

RBO Manager

Contact:

EFB RBO Gothenburg
Christer Hedman, Dr.Med.Sc./Ph.D.
Head of Biomedical Development
Business Region Göteborg
Norra Hamngatan 14
S-411 14 Göteborg, Sweden
Phone: +46 31 612421
Fax: + 46 31 612401
E-mail: christer.hedman@brg.goteborg.se

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Buchs, SWITZERLAND

EFB RBO Buchs, SWITZERLAND

Region:
The Zwitzerland RBO is located at the Swiss Coordination Committee for Biotechnology SCCB and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for Switzerland.

Contact:

EFB RBO Switzerland
Dr. Roland Wohlgemuth
Swiss Coordination Committee for Biotechnology SCCB
Industriestrasse 25
CH-9470 Buchs
Phone: +41 81 7552640
E-mail:rwohlgemuth@sial.com

Regional Branch Offices > EFB RBO Rugby, UNITED KINGDOM

EFB RBO Rugby, UNITED KINGDOM

Region:

The Rugby RBO is located at the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and serves as EFB Regional Branch Office for United Kingdom.

Contact:

EFB RBO UK
Ms. Sam Turney
Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
David Building . Railway Terrace
Rugby, CV21 3HQ
Phone: +44 1788534454
Fax: +44 1788560833
E-mail:sturney@icheme.org

About the EFB > General Council and General Assembly

General Council and General Assembly

The General Council (GeCo) consists of one representative of each Institutional Member of EFB. The members of the EFB Executive Board , all chairmen of the EFB Sections and Task Groups also belong to the GeCo. The General Council decides on all fundamental matters connected with the work of the Federation. The members of the GeCo meet at the General Assembly (GeAs).

Download: Extraordinary General Assembly 7 June 2008

Sections & Workgroups > Section on Phyto-Pharmaceuticals

Section on Phyto-Pharmaceuticals

Currently there is intense interest worldwide for studying medical treatment derived from traditional medicine sources. The EFB therefore deems it appropriate to start a section on phyto-pharmaceutical science which will network with European scientific experts in the field from various countries which have source material based on natural plant materials from in particular China, Latin America, India and Russia. This section will aim to encourage via its members the establishment of scientific procedures and norms for enabling new biomedical health treatments in prevention of and intervention in the course of human diseases. The section will aim to be a channel for high level research investigation and global co operations to enable new drug discoveries.

In contrast to target oriented Western medicine, traditional use of herbal medicines such as TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) uses a holistic, synergetic and personalized approach for diagnosis and treatment. Although products like those from TCM are sold in many countries, there is an insufficient post-market surveillance system, lack of control over quality and safety, no integration of existing knowledge on adverse effects, uncertainty over IPR issues and regulatory requirements, and in general a large need for more advanced knowledge and new approaches to R&D. At the scientific level at the present time there is little understanding about the mechanisms of action of many such therapies, which would be immediately valuable for evidence-based evaluation and improved regulation. Given the complexity of both the human body plus the often complex compositions of the herbal extracts, this requires multidisciplinary research applying advanced tools, in conjunction with holistic approaches, to decipher the scientific fundamentals of the medication.

As the EFB has established Regional Branch Offices (RBO) in Europe and via its task group on international relation, RBOs outside Europe, these can be natural elements for interacting with particular national requirements and national granting bodies including the European Commission and also be available to stimulate networking and high level scientific cooperation between our European members and important interested bodies such as the Chinese Ministeries, responsible for regulating and overseeing the proper use of phyto-pharmaceuticals.
The Board of the new Section will contain representatives of interested parties. To start, the Chairman has been nominated to be Professor Brian Clark and the Executive Director Mr. Jens Sundbye, both at the Danish RBO of the European Federation of Biotechnology.

All Section Members are welcome to become an active participant in this EFB Section.

For further information about the Section activities, please contact:

Prof. Brian F.C. Clark (Chairman)
Institute of Molecular Biology
Gustav Wieds Vej 10
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
E-mail: bfcc@mb.au.dk

Jens Sundbye (Executive Director)
BioMedico Forum
Forskerparken
Gustav Wieds Vej 10
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
Tel +45 - 8620 5080
Fax +45 - 8620 1222
E-mail: js@biomedicoforum.dk

Sections & Workgroups > Section on Applied Biocatalysis (ESAB)

Section on Applied Biocatalysis (ESAB)

The EFB section on Applied Biocatalysis (ESAB) is active in the field of Industrial Biotechnology. Industrial Biotechnology is the application of biotechnology for the industrial production and processing of chemical substances, materials and bio-energy. Industrial Biotechnology exploits the synthetic capabilities of the natural world for human needs and typically leads to greener production processes. This technology is mainly based on biocatalysis (the use of enzymes to catalyse chemical reactions) and fermentation technology (directed use of microbial metabolism). Industrial biotechnology (also referred to as white biotechnology) stands apart from the red biotechnology (directed towards health care) and green biotechnology (genetically modified agricultural crops).

Industrial Biotechnology is a technology with a particularly broad application potential in a variety of industries such as the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, the food and feed industry, agro-industry, textile industry, energy sector, etc. These industries increasingly rely on biocatalytic processes to perform a wide range of reactions, improve the cost-effectiveness of existing processes and develop new products and applications. The use of biocatalysis can have significant performance benefits compared to conventional chemical technology, such as a high reaction selectivity, higher reaction rate, increased conversion efficiency, improved product purity, lowered energy consumption and a significant decrease in waste generation. The processes of industrial biotechnology will often rely on renewable resources as a raw material and typically lead to significant ecological and economical benefits.

The former working party on Applied Biocatalysis transformed itself into an EFB Section in September 2000. ESAB is led by a scientific committee consisting of about 40 members from all European countries. Individual scientists with an interest in Industrial Biotechnology are requested to become a member so that they can actively participate in the activities of ESAB and support the development of Industrial Biotechnology in Europe.
The mission of ESAB can be summarized as follows:

• To promote the industrial application of useful biocatalysts
• To develop the science and engineering aspects of industrial biotechnology
• To promote industrial biotechnology in European and national science policies
• To identify key topics which may be rate-limiting for the development of industrial biotechnology and to take steps to stimulate these areas, particularly through the organisation of scientific meetings and conferences.

For further information, please visit the ESAB website or contact:

Dr. Roland Wohlgemuth (Chairman) Fluka Group, Buchs, Ch Dept. of Biochemistry E-mail: rwohlgemuth@sial.com

About the EFB > The EFB Fora

The EFB Fora

The main fora of the EFB are Sections and Task Groups. They accomodate all European scientists interested in biotechnology. Sections are devoted to a particular field of biotechnology (vertical topics) and are open to all personal members. Task Groups cover topics which are of interest to all or most biotechnologists (horizontal topics); you can become a member of a Task Group by invitation only.

Sections may decide to establish Working Groups to address selected issues. Working Groups are operating under the guidance of the Section Board.

Events > EFB Events Archive

EFB Events Archive

Sections & Workgroups > Section on Environmental Biotechnology

Section on Environmental Biotechnology

For information about the activities of this Section please contact:

Contact Info:

Prof. Piet Lens (Chairman)
UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education
Westvest 7
2611 AX Delft
The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 (0)15 215 1715
Fax: +31 (0)15 212 2921
E-mail: p.lens@unesco-ihe.org

Fabio Fava, Ph.D.(Vice Chairman)
Full Professor of “Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology”
Faculty of Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna
Via Terracini, 28.
I-40131, Bologna,
Italy
Phone: 0039 051 2090330
Fax: 0039 051 2090348/2090322
E-mail:fabio.fava@unibo.it
Web page: http://dicasm.ing.unibo.it/fava/fava.htmz

Important Links:

Erasmus Mundus - Doctorate on Environmental Technologies for Contaminated Solids, Soils and Sediments. http://www.internationaldoctorate.unicas.it/

IBS2010 http://www.ibs2010.org/

Task Groups > Task Group on International Relations (TGIR)

Task Group on International Relations (TGIR)

The EFB Task Group TGIR aims at the promotion of international (global) interactions and cooperation between governments, industries and academics in the field of biotechnology. Specifically, TGIR formulates proposals to the European Commission and implements EC programmes to establish strategic relations.

One of the main activities of the Task Group is European Focus on Biotechnology in China (EFBIC). EFBIC’s purpose is to establish strategic relations in biotechnology between decision makers in Europe and China and facilitate collaborations in research, training and innovation among European and Chinese scientists.
 
For further information on the activities of this Task Group please contact:
       
Prof. Dr. Brian Clark (Chairman)
Department of Molecular and Structural Biology
University of Aarhus
Gustav Wieds Vej 10C
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Tel: +45 - 8942 5055
Fax: +45 - 8619 1959
E-mail: bfcc@mb.au.dk

Sections & Workgroups > Section on Biodiversity

Section on Biodiversity

The Section on Biodiversity, an initiative of the European Federation of Biotechnology, was founded on 27 February 2003. The main task of this section is to investigate and debate the impact of Biotechnology on Biodiversity.

Priority topics of the EFB Section on Biodiversity are:

• Benefits and threats from GMO’s
• How can the view on Biodiversity help in research and development?
• Enhance the knowledge about soil microbiology and agricultural biodiversity
• Biodiversity and Population Genetics: A wide field of research
• Active participation in the development and outlining of research programmes on an European level.

For further information, please contact the Chairman of the Section:

Klaus Ammann
Prof. hon. emeritus, former Director Botanic Garden, University of Bern
Rue de Monruz 20
CH - 2000 NEUCHATEL, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 32 721 40 83
Website: www.efb-central.org/Biodiversity/homepage.html
E-mail: klaus.ammann@ips.unibe.ch

————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Message from Klaus Ammann, Chairman of the EFB Section on Biodiversity

Dear Reader,

As we all know Biodiversity / Biotechnology is a complex discussion field - and many people are worried about the impact of biotechnology on biodiversity, and it is easy to follow the opinions of opponents of green biotechnology without knowing the facts.

But there are also many who think that biotechnology could help to enhance and biodiversity and specifically help in conservation matters. The task of this Section is to investigate and debate the impact, whether positive or negative. In the last few years considerable progress has been made in the area of biosafety research.

Many opinions are around on whether biotechnology has a negative impact on biodiversity - or whether it might have positive effects - or both. Since we are dealing with biology, we encounter a complex situation when it comes to evaluate the organismal arguments. In addition is not only about organismal biodiversity, but also about ecology, about the intricate food web to give an example. And if we broaden the term biodiversity even more, we will also have to deal with IPR issues, with socio-economic impacts and cultural aspects. This is exactly where we will also make sure that the EFB Section Biodiversity will network with all its various units.

With the help of a newly lauched Forum called ASK-FORCE we will also try to give the section a more pro-active touch, it will hopefully develop into a very active network starting with a series of topics, presented as separate Forum entries: Biodiversity, Developing world, Public Research and Regulation, Activists, Philosophy, European Union matters. This forum will help us all to switch from pro-reactive to pro-active mode. After having seen a very positive development of green biotechnology out in the field, reaching soon 100 mio hectares planted, we can make up a balance also for biosecurity: There has been not a single incidence reported with some kind of negative impact, which can be clearly related to genetically modified crops. This does not mean that we need to become careless, it will be important to always raise the questions on biodiversity in modern agriculture.

It should be made clear that many aspects of negative impacts on biodiversity are caused by agriculture per se, including all kinds of management methods. It is precisely agricultural biotechnology which could help to remedy some of the detrimental impacts of agriculture (besides other management methods as well).

About the EFB > EFB Statutes

EFB Statutes

EFB Statutes 2004 (PDF document)

As the legal seat of the EFB is in Belgium, the official Statutes of the European Federation of Biotechnology as filed with the Ministry of Justice are in French.  An English translation of the statutes is available to EFB members upon request to the Central Office, but the French version available for download here is the definitive one.

Sections & Workgroups > Section on Medicines Development

Section on Medicines Development

With the mapping of the human genome, biotechnology is of increasing importance for development of new and targeted medicines and will impact future medical practice. This calls for an optimising of the current medicines R&D process and a re-thinking of the process. It is for this reason that the Section on Medicines Development was established in 2003. This Section covers all aspects of Medicines Development (which today all will involve biotech in one way or other) as well as all processes within the R&D cycle from idea through research, applied research, preclinical, clinical, regulatory and post-marketing follow-up.         
         
The EFB Section on Medicines Development is a platform for all stakeholders and sciences related to development of medicines. NSMF follows two tracks:

Streamlining:
Activities to optimise and reengineer the current drug research & development processes utilising contemporary scientific knowledge by removing bottlenecks and developing new tools.

Fresh approach:
To re-evaluate the entire drug development process and create a new efficient flow of knowledge generation and management without compromising safety based on recent scientific and technological advances including genome research.

NSMF enjoys strong support from EC DG Research as well as from EUREKA. A steadily increase in members of the section is reflecting that also universities, hospitals, medicines agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and SMEs from most countries in Europe are interested in engaging in this major and strategic initiative. NSMF webpage (www.nsmf.org) provides information about NSMF including an overview of NSMF, reports from workshops, and NSMF relevant events and activities.
         
For information about the activities of this Section please contact:

Dr. Adreani Odysseos (Chairman)
Organisations: EPSO-Iasis, R&D and University of Cyprus
University of Cyprus
Dept. of Chemistry
75, Kallipoleos Street, Nicosia 1678
Tel: +357-22-892760
Fax: +357-22-892801
E-mail: odysseos@ucy.ac.cy, andreani@epos-iasis.com 

Sections & Workgroups > Section on NanoBiotechnology

Section on NanoBiotechnology

Contact Info:

Section Website
Dr. Arantxa Sanz (Chairman)
Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC)
Baldiri Reixac 10-12
08028 Barcelona
Tel.  +34 93402 0283
Fax. +34 93403 9702
E-mail: asanz@ibec.pcb.ub.es
http://www.ibecbarcelona.eu

Sections & Workgroups > Associated Section on Pharma Medical Biotechnology (EAPB)

Associated Section on Pharma Medical Biotechnology (EAPB)

Contact Info:

Dr. Marion Kronabel (Managing Director)
c/o
Heidelberg Technology Park, Campus Office
Im Neuenheimer Feld 582
69120 Heidelberg
Phone +49 6221 3 89 39 85
Fax +49 6221 3 89 37 68
E-mail: marion.kronabel@eapb.org

Sections & Workgroups > Associated Section YEBN (Young European Biotech Network)

Associated Section YEBN (Young European Biotech Network)

“Biotechnology and young people’s networks are both essential components of Europe’s scientific and technological futures. Accordingly, I strongly endorse the goals and activities of the YEBN.” - Philip Campbell, Ph.D. Editor-in-chief, Nature

Biotechnology is a key factor for sustainable development of our future. The Young European Biotech Network (YEBN) is a non-profit organisation that aims to strengthen the co-operation among European Countries in order to promote a responsible and dynamic community of young scientists and increase the competitiveness of the European Life Science sector worldwide. YEBN was founded in December 2002 in Bertinoro, Italy, by four student organisations active in several European countries. Today, YEBN consists of several hundred members in 15 European countries.

Linking people together has proven to be vital for businesses. A successful scientist has to seek out contacts at conferences as well. Networking is a crucial aspect, not only for career, but for information and also sometimes for fun. YEBN links people within its network and to the outside world, either through its member database or through specific networking events, such as conferences, meetings or workshops. In doing this, YEBN achieves an internal and a vertical integration of its members, for example with academia, other organisations (such as the European Federation of Biotechnology) and companies.

Young Life Scientists are often concerned with their future career. YEBN has built specific career services, such information on job matching databases and its internal networking database to help YEBN members in critical questions, i.e. on getting information of research groups in other countries.
Young people most often have great ideas, as well as the courage and motivation to realize them. Yet, sometimes the space is missing for the creativity to be put into reality.

YEBN helps you to realize your own ideas by helping to find human resource to fill your team, helps you to find financial aid, management skills and most importantly provides its name to leverage your endeavour. Genetic engineering, cloning and other issues have caused widespread anxiety and debates in society. YEBN is dedicated to provide society with unbiased and objective knowledge and information on Life Science, from young involved scientists. YEBN aims for these objectives by representing a young generation of open-minded scientists who can be regarded as trustworthy. Specific projects and Task Groups within YEBN are focused on science and society, public perception and communication of science. A project called BioPop of a new model for science communication and sociology of science under the FP6 program of the European Commission” was accepted and run from 2004.
Everyone is welcome to join and initiate projects in YEBN, membership is for free. We encourage persons with different backgrounds but strong interest in biotechnology to join, in order to create a fruitful interdisciplinary forum.

For further information regarding this Associated Section, please visit the YEBN website or contact the Chairman:

Sebastian Olenyi
YEBN Chairman of the Executive Board
sebastian.olenyi@yebn.org
www.yebn.org

Task Groups > Task Group on European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES)

Task Group on European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES)

EAGLES was set up through the initiative of members of the European Federation of Biotechnology. It was established as a Task Group, which provides advice and support, as well as an administrative structure and its large network.

EAGLES designs and implements projects to be carried out mostly by life scientists from developing countries that will stimulate and facilitate activities for the European life sciences to respond to the needs of developing countries.

The members of EAGLES believe:

• That the greatest humanitarian challenges for the life sciences lie in the problems of illness, starvation and environmental degradation which are faced by hundreds of millions of people in our world today, and will be faced by millions more in the coming decades.
• That life scientists everywhere have a responsibility to address these global challenges.
• That European life scientists could and should make a much greater contribution to meet these challenges.
• That European policies should facilitate the life sciences in meeting these challenges.
• In addressing these challenges that the people of Europe and their leaders should pay careful attention to the knowledge and advice of distinguished life scientists and humanists from the developing and emerging countries.

For information on the activities of this Task Group please visit the EAGLES website or contact:

European Federation of Biotechnology
Passeig Lluis Companys, 23
08010 Barcelona
Tel. +93 268 7703
Fax. +93 268 4500
efb@efb-central.org

Task Groups > Task Group on Education and Mobility

Task Group on Education and Mobility

In September 2000, the former Working Party on Education transformed itself into the Task Group on Education. In March 2003, the name of the Task Group on Education was changed to “Education and Mobility” to reflect a wider scope of interest that also mirrors the interests of the European Commission.

The EFB Task Group on Education and Mobility is composed of some forty senior scientists committed to higher education from a whole range of biotechnology-related scientific and technological disciplines and representing all EU member states. Its main aim is to promote higher level education and training in biotechnology through various internal and external networking activities.

The Task Group has arranged various courses and workshops and also played a key role in developing a variety of European biotechnology education initiatives. This has included the Code of Conduct for Biotechnologists, the European Doctorate in Biotechnology and Professional accreditation for biotechnologists.

If you wish to become a member of the Task Group on Education and Mobility, please contact:

Contact Info:

Prof. Brian F.C. Clark (Chairman)
Institute of Molecular Biology
Gustav Wieds Vej 10
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
E-mail: bfcc@mb.au.dk

Mr. Christian Suojanen (Secretary)
E-mail: cjs@fastmail.fm