TwInn4MicroUp at the BioRef Master Winter School 2025 in Poland
The origins of the BioRef Master’s program trace back to the EuroBioRef project (European Multilevel Integrated Biorefinery Design for Sustainable Biomass Processing), a major European R&D initiative that concluded in 2013 and was instrumental in shaping the future of biorefinery technologies. Besides its groundbreaking research, EuroBioRef emphasized education and training, addressing the lack of specialized workforce in biomass valorization and biorefineries. The expertise gained from this large-scale project laid the foundation for the BioRef Master’s program, designed to equip students with specialized knowledge, making them highly competitive in both the employment and research sectors.
The BioRef Winter School 2025 (24-28 February) welcomed Erasmus students of the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology at Cracow University of Technology . This week-long event featured engaging lectures on chemical engineering, catalysis, biotechnology, and biorefinery, delivered by esteemed professors from the University of Lille, Cracow University of Technology, and the University of Bari. In addition to providing mandatory courses for students of the faculty, the winter school was open to all Erasmus students with an interest in these crucial fields.
As part of the Winter School, Prof. Gennaro Agrimi from UNIBA, a key participant of the BioRef Master’s program, delivered an insightful lecture on the preparation of biocatalysts. His expertise provided students with a deeper understanding of biocatalytic processes and their role in sustainable biorefinery applications.
Prof. Evangelos Topakas from NTUA, a renowned expert in enzyme technology and biomass valorization, was invited to present at the event. In his lecture on “Enzymes for Plastic Waste Valorization”, Prof. Topakas shared groundbreaking research on how enzyme-based technologies can drive sustainable solutions for plastic waste management.
In addition to his main lecture, Prof. Topakas also took the opportunity to introduce students and faculty to the TwInn4MicroUp project, highlighting its role in synthetic microbial biotechnology for the sustainable upcycling of waste plastics.
The BioRef Winter School 2025 provided an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and networking. The event reinforced TwInn4MicroUp’s commitment to fostering scientific excellence, bridging cutting-edge biotechnological research with sustainable practices, and inspiring the next generation of researchers.
We are proud to have been part of this enriching educational experience and look forward to further collaborations with the BioRef Master’s program in shaping the future of sustainable biorefinery and biotechnology.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to drive innovation and sustainability in the field of microbial biotechnology and circular economy!