NSERC Bioconversion Network

The NSERC Bioconversion Network is organized into four Research Themes  designed to address major challenges that must be overcome to make bioconversion a viable and sustainable technology. the major Research Objectives listed below.  The proposed research requires an integrated and coordinated approach as each step of the biomass conversion process has a strong influence on the subsequent steps. Thus, the interdisciplinary collaborative framework provided by the Network approach is critical to the success of the NSERC Bioconversion Network.

The NSERC Bioconversion Network is led jointly by Dr. Hung Lee (University of Guelph) and Dr. Jack Saddler (University of British Columbia), and is headquartered at the University of Guelph.  The core Network research team consists of 12 academic investigators drawn from 5 Canadian universities (University of British Columbia, University of Guelph, University of Toronto, Queen’s University, and Concordia University).  The academic investigators will work closely with partners and collaborators drawn from 3 federal government departments (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada) and 6 industrial organizations (Alberta Research Council, FPInnovations, GreenField Ethanol, Lallemand Ethanol Technology, SunOpta and Tembec) to advance the science and technology of biomass conversion that is needed to support Canada’s growing need for sustainable, renewable products, chemicals, fuels, and energy.

NSERC Bioconversion Network Structure