Cooperative Research Centre for Industrial Plant Biopolymers (1992 - 1998)

The Cooperative Research Centre for Industrial Plant Biopolymers is a collaborative enterprise bringing together researchers from the University of Melbourne School of Botany and Department of Chemical Engineering, Tridan Ltd-Albright & Wilson (Australia) Ltd Partnership, and, CSIRO Division of Food Science and Technology. It was established with the principal aim of building a knowledge base for the production of biopolymers in Australia.

The Centre's goal is to provide the scientific and technical foundation for the establishment in Australia of a plant biopolymer manufacturing industry serving food manufacturers and other industries. The University of Melbourne School of Botany and Department of Chemical Engineering delve into composition, structure and functionality relationships. Scientists at the School of Botany study the chemistry of the plant biopolymers and the physiology of the cultured plant cells. Work on plant cell genetics in the School of Botany provides a better understanding of how plant cells produce biopolymers, and offers new opportunities to manufacture improved products. Management staff include:
Dr Doug Hawley, Centre Director
Prof Adrienne Clarke, School of Botany, University of Melbourne
Prof Tony Bacic, School of Botany, University of Melbourne
Prof David Boger, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Melbourne
Dr Alan Lane, CSIRO Division of Food Science and Technology
Dr David McManus, Tridan Ltd-Albright & Wilson (Australia) Ltd Partnership
Dr Richard Thwaites, Director Commercialisation
Our group in the Plant Cell Biology Research Centre at the School of Botany combines expertise in plant cell genetics and carbohydrates chemistry. Research staff include:
Professor Adrienne Clarke: molecular biology and carbohydrates.
Professor Tony Bacic: complex carbohydrates and structural analysis.

Previous and Subsequent Entities

 1992 - 1998 Cooperative Research Centre for Industrial Plant Biopolymers
       1999 - Cooperative Research Centre for Bioproducts

Academic Department

• School of Botany, Faculty of Science (1906 - )

  [1992 - 1998]

Collaborative Partners

• Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering (1950 - )

  [1992 - 1998]

• Plant Cell Biology Research Centre, Faculty of Science (1982 - )

  [1995 - 1998]

Related People

• Bacic, Antony

  Researcher

  [1995 - 1998]

• Clarke, Adrienne Elizabeth (1938 - )

  Researcher

  [1995 - 1998]