SASUF Goes Digital: 2020 Edition

Abstract: Microorganisms are abundant, present everywhere with enormous diversity. They are scientifically most interesting with high potentials to address many global societal challenges. The workhop on Microbial Biotechnology will gather scientists with common interests in:
a) Microbial diversity & evolution
b) N2-fixation & sustainable agriculture
c) Soil microbial indicators for monitoring impact of climate change on crop production
d) Waste- & polluted-water treatment & bioremediation by microorganisms
e) Microorganisms for sustainable chemical, fuel and food production
The main aim of the workshop is to present the joint South African – Sweden research and education network on microbial diversity and biotechnology for a sustainable future established through the SASUF initiative.
 
Keywords: Microorganisms, Diversity and evolution, Sustainable food and agriculture, Bioremediation, Renewable chemicals and fuels

Preliminary PROGRAM - Please note the time has been changed and that the schedule below is following the Swedish time zone: 12.30 – 14.15. For South African time zone, please add 1 hour, thus the whole program for South Africans runs from 13:30-15:45)

12:30-12:35  GENERAL INTRODUCTION by Felix Dakora (Tshwane University, South Africa) and Peter Lindblad (Uppsala University, Sweden)

12:35-12:45 Title to be announced -  professor Felix Dakora  (Dpt of Chemistry, Tshwane University, Pretoria South Africa)

12:45-12:55  Green Cell Factories - professor Peter Lindblad (Dpt of Chemistry, Uppsala, Sweden)

12:55-13:05 Nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria in Northern areas -  professor Anita Sellstedt (Dpt of Plant physiology, UPSC, Umeå University, Sweden)
 
13:05-13:15  Endophytic bacteria of Bt Maize: Community composition and functions? - professor Carlos Bezuidenhout (with co-presenters Mashiane RA, Adeleke RA and Chirima G, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa)

13:15-13:25 Novel sustainable applications in forest biotechnology - Dr. Natuschka Lee (with co-presenters Mehrdad Arshadi, Torgny Mossing, Ulla-Britt Östman, Hanna Lundgren, Olof Öhgren -  at UmU, SLU, Swedish Cellulse Industry SCA, Bo Rydin foundation)
 
13:25-13:35 Microbes - versatiles factories for sustainable chemicals, food and antimicrobials  –  professor Rajni Hatti Kaul (Dpt of Biotechnology, Lund University, Sweden)

13:35-14:00  DISCUSSION (future collaborations and proposals)

14:00-14:10 Investigating the potential of Nordic microalgae for wastewater reclamation and biomass generation, Christiane Funk (Department of Chemistry, Umeå University)

14:10-14.15 CLOSING WORDS by professor Felix Dakora (Tshwane University, Pretoria South Africa) and professor Peter Lindblad (Uppsala University, Sweden)