Bioeconomy research
Over the next 30 years global demand for food and energy is set to double, while renewable fuels, including biofuels and bioenergy, will account for 10 per cent of commercial supply.
This means new and innovative ways of producing food and fuel will need to be found and perfected. Our research is addressing these challenges by drawing on our distinct strengths and capabilities in the bioeconomy sector.
Related links
- Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC)
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP)
- Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE)
- York Structural Biology Laboratory (YSBL)
THYME for change
Underlining our reputation as a driving force in the UK’s bioeconomy, the Teeside, Hull and York - Mobilising Bioeconomy Knowledge Exchange, or THYME project, will see us lead a £5m collaboration which will create jobs, boost the region’s economy and deliver huge environmental benefits.
Read more about the new THYME project.
Big data speeds up disease resistance in lettuce
Fungal infection causes substantial losses on field-grown and protected lettuce crops, an industry worth almost £200m a year in the UK. Researchers at the University of York worked with Tozer Seeds Ltd to identify disease resistant varieties from wild relatives and a diverse collection of lettuce.
Featured researcher
Katherine Denby
Professor and Academic Director of the N8 AgriFood Resilience Programme.
Professor Denby’s interests are in plant disease resistance and plant-pathogen interaction, and in novel approaches for enabling and enhancing breeding of crop varieties tolerant to environmental stress and disease.
The Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC)
The aim of the BDC is to ensure industry has access to the University's world-class science, enabling businesses to develop and use new, greener processes and products.
For more information visit the Biorenewables Development Centre website.
Featured researcher
Ian Graham
Head of Department and Weston Chair of Biochemical Genetics.
Professor Graham’s interests include how plants make and breakdown metabolites, how these processes are controlled and how they impact on plant growth.
Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE)
We work closely with industry to deliver new, tailor made solutions to reduce waste and increase profits.
For more information visit the GCCE website.
Featured researcher
Avtar Matharu
Senior lecturer and Deputy Director of the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE).
Professor Matharu's interests include gaining high additional chemical value from otherwise low-value resources or waste such as unavoidable food supply chain wastes.
Biomethanisation
Our researchers are developing a process to create a more than 95 per cent pure biomethane using solar and wind energy, with applications including vehicle fuel and in the gas network.
Read more about the Biomethanisation project.
Featured researcher
James Chong
Senior lecturer in the Department of Biology and a Royal Society Industry Fellow.
Professor Chong’s interests include the dynamics of the microbial consortia involved in anaerobic digestion, and the growth and genetic manipulation of methanogens.
Related links
- Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC)
- Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP)
- Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE)
- York Structural Biology Laboratory (YSBL)