2nd October 2000

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Northern Ireland's fast-growing biotechnology industry sector comes under the international microscope when business and academic gurus from the US and Europe come together for Bio Northern Ireland, the Province's first major international bioscience conference.

Pioneering technologies in the fields of human genomics, tissue engineering, bioinformatics and genetically modified food production are already opening up local business and inward investment opportunities, particularly in the Coleraine area as the University of Ulster and Coleraine Borough Council combine strengths and resources in a bid to see the area recognised as an international biotechnology centre of excellence and enterprise.

The Bio Northern Ireland conference is the latest in a series of joint ventures as the scientific strengths of the University of Ulster and its local and international research partners increasingly ripple out into Northern Ireland's enterprise culture.

The conference, which will be held at the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick and the University's Coleraine campus from 1-3 October, has been organised by the University of Ulster in association with Coleraine Borough Council. It also has valued input from the IDB, QUB and Investment Belfast.

The event will bring together leaders from industry, academia, Government and the scientific research community to share knowledge and develop powerful business partnerships and strategies that will position Northern Ireland at the heart of the emerging high technology, high added value bioscience industries.

Themes the conference will address include:

Tissue engineering - the growing of new organs for human transplantation: US scientist Alan Russell will discuss current and future developments in this area, touching on the public concerns relating to human tissue and organ transplantation.

Human genetics - speakers will analyse the opportunities for new medical therapies and technologies opened up by the Human Genome project. Speakers from Human Genome Sciences, one of the leading US companies in this field, will discuss how the secrets of human genes are being unlocked to help prevent disease. NI has one of the highest incidences of heart disease in the world: could human genomics research techniques help save our lives?

Bioinformatics - Speakers will discuss the interaction between biotechnology and computers will aid our search for new drugs to address some of the most important human diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Experts from Genelogic Inc, who have developed a commercial human genome
database, will provide a demonstration of the power that such a database provides to biotechnology researchers.

Bioremediation - the safe cleansing and neutralising of redundant chemical technologies - like chemical waste from textile, petrochemical, plastics and agrochemical industries. Experts will also address developments in the use of novel enzymes to undertake this environmental cleaning process.

GM food science - how can emerging opportunities in this sector be exploited by Northern Ireland's business sector, as well as the implications of research into genetically modified organisms.

The future developments of Biotechnology and the public concerns over the use of biotechnology will be addressed by Dr Charles Hamner, an honorary doctorate of the University of Ulster, and President of the North Carolina Biotechnology Centre, USA and his colleague Mr Steven Burke.

Conference organiser, Dr Chris Barnett of the University of Ulster said: "Our aim with this international conference is to bring together industry and the research community, to look at the business growth opportunities being presented daily by advances in biotechnology.

"The University of Ulster is a scientific research powerhouse, internationally recognised as a centre of technical and research excellence in biotechnology, bioinformatics, gene therapy, diabetes, cancer and ageing, and radiation science.

"As such, we are forging strong productive relationships with companies working to develop commercial products in these areas. We are also forming new high technology companies based on our research expertise and through joint ventures with international companies. These companies are entering our innovation centres providing business incubation to occur before they emerge as mature, self-sustaining companies which can populate the science parks in Northern Ireland.

"This innovation cycle will lead rapidly to high technology company clustering, coupled with enhanced wealth and job creation. By capitalising on our strengths in science and technology, and the entrepreneurial drive of our business leaders, scientific researchers, students and the wider community, together we can help build the future prosperity of Northern Ireland."

Looking forward to the conference, Nick Lestas, Head of Development with Coleraine Borough Council, said: "The emerging biotech industries offer huge opportunities not only for local entrepreneurs but also for us to attract all-important inward investors. Already Coleraine has, through the University, the intellectual strengths and internationally acclaimed expertise which are essential for the successful development of biotechnology industries. Coleraine Borough Council, in partnership with others, is ensuring that we capitalise on those unique advantages to the benefit of the whole of Northern Ireland.

"We are already established as a biotech centre, but see opportunities to grow the industry through the clustering of world class companies. The Bio Northern Ireland conference is a major step forward in our ongoing campaign."

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk