Georgia Bio Workshop_June 2007

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16 Jul 2007

Dr. Landis Henry (STCU, Deputy Director / Canada) stands with Dr. Bela Tsipuria, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia and Prof. Walter Steiner, Technical University of Graz, Austria

On 2–5 July 2007 STCU sponsored a scientific workshop in Tbilisi, Georgia, along with the Durmishidze Institute of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, titled “Plant & Microbial Enzymes – Isolation, Characterization and Biotechnology Applications”. Dr. B. Tsipuria (Deputy Minister of Education and Science for Georgia) joined approximately 100 workshop participants from 9 countries, including keynote speakers from the University of Graz (Austria) and the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia). Workshop sessions covered such scientific topics as production and use of microbial enzymes; microbial and enzymatic remediation; and enzymes of extreme environments.

Prof. George Kvesitadze, Durmishidze Inst. of Biochemistry & Biotechnology Tbilisi, Georgia; Natia Jokhadze, Acting Director, Georgia National Science Foundation, Tbilisi; STCU Deputy Director (Canada) and Dr. Bela Tsipuria, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia

The workshop targeted the increasing global interest in microbial and plant enzyme use as suitable alternatives to environmentally harmful industrial chemicals and chemical processes. Several biological research institutes across the Caucasus region have large collections of micro-organisms from diverse environments, and these provide research opportunities in the identification and application of micro-organisms as sources of new or improved industrial enzymes.

The objectives of the Workshop were:
• To raise awareness of the depth and breadth of research in this increasingly important area of science, within the STCU Recipient countries.
• To encourage development of a regional network of scientists and to facilitate exchange of information and data.
• To facilitate scientific and commercial linkages between scientists in the STCU Recipient countries and in Canada, the USA, and in Europe.
• To identify regional priorities and develop research initiatives around these priorities by establishing links within the Region and globally.
• To identify gaps where expertise is lacking and critically needed, and exploring ways of addressing these deficiencies.