A new vision for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Growing out of increasingly overlapping research interests and fruitful collaborations between the two departments, a new Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology comes into effect on 1 August 2008.

‘By capitalising on the synergy between the departments,’ said Professor Lynn Gladden, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, who will lead the new Department, ‘Cambridge will be able to respond quickly to emerging research areas that lie at the interface between the disciplines and, crucially, can do so without reducing activities in the traditional areas of chemical engineering or biotechnology.’

‘The development is particularly timely in view of pressing global challenges such as how healthcare, food, energy and transport can service a burgeoning population with dwindling resources,’ said Professor Chris Lowe, Director of the Institute of Biotechnology. ‘By cementing partnerships that unite bioscience, biotechnology and chemical engineering, Cambridge will be well placed to contribute to sustainable solutions of the future.’

As the Department of Chemical Engineering looks forward to sharing skills with, and learning from, the Institute of Biotechnology, Professor Gladden commented on the recent awarding of The Queen’s Anniversary Prize to the Institute of Biotechnology: ‘We are thrilled that the work of the Institute has been publicly recognised at the highest level in this way and look forward to working ever more closely together.’

Not only will the merger provide new opportunities in research and teaching, but it is hoped that it will open up avenues for commercial translation and the formation of spin-off companies. ‘This new initiative allows two already successful departments to move ahead and build a new form of internationally leading academic endeavour,’ said Professor Ian White, Chair of the School of Technology.

For more information, please contact Elisabeth Klaar (ek329@cam.ac.uk).