November 30, 2007 — The University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and The Dow Chemical Company have announced a research alliance that will focus on two key areas: biomimicry and developing new manufacturing systems using biofeedstocks.

“Escalating oil costs and concerns about carbon dioxide emissions make it imperative to develop new manufacturing processes based on renewable substrates rather than diminishing fossil fuels,” Peter Gray, AIBN’s director, said in a news release.

“Scientific advances in the biosciences, have enabled researchers to genetically reprogram bacteria to produce the chemical building blocks of the future.

Andrew Liveris, Dow’s chairman and CEO, said going back to nature was a further step forward in Dow’s sustainable chemistry initiative.

“This alliance will help Dow to find more resource efficient ways to deliver even better products to markets and is a marvelous example of how the human element can work with nature to drive strategic growth at a company like Dow.”

AIBN has more than 300 researchers housed in a new building complemented by an extensive suite of facilities.