About the MIB

About the MIB

The Manchester Institute of Biotechnology brings together researchers from biology, chemistry and engineering to explore new scientific possibilities. Through collaborative projects and innovative technologies, we develop practical solutions to pressing global challenges and and work with international partners to translate discovery into real‑world impact. 

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Hot spring microbiomes could transform industrial CO2 waste into valuable products, Manchester researchers find

Researchers at The University of Manchester have shown that microbial communities from terrestrial hot springs could be harnessed to convert industrial CO2 emissions into useful products, offering new routes towards a circular, low-carbon economy.Industrial processes such as steel and cement production generate large volumes of CO2-rich waste gases. While these emissions are a major environmental challenge, the new study – published in Environmental Microbiome – suggests they could represent an untapped resource.The team found that microbiomes inhabiting terrestrial hot springs are naturally adapted to conditions that closely resemble industrial waste streams: high temperatures, elevated concentrations of CO2, and chemically challenging environments.Hot spring microorganisms are highly efficient at transforming inorganic carbon, including CO2, into organic compounds such as biomass and other valuable products. The researchers suggest that these communities could form the foundation of new biotechnologies designed to operate under industrial conditions without the need for light or energy-intensive cooling processes.Such approaches could enable the production of value-added compounds, including biopolymers and vitamins, directly from CO2-rich waste streams, helping to reduce emissions while generating economic value. While geological carbon storage remains a critical component of Net Zero strategies, it can be energy-intensive and costly to implement at scale. The researchers suggest that biotechnological approaches could offer a complementary route by converting emissions into useful products rather than storing them underground.The study is based on a global analysis of hot spring microbiomes spanning multiple continents, revealing consistent metabolic potential for carbon transformation across diverse environments.Corresponding author, Professor Sophie Nixon, states:“This study highlights that nature has already evolved solutions for converting CO2 under extreme conditions, and that these natural solutions are there for us to harness.Our work sits alongside geological storage within a broader portfolio of CO2 management strategies. The key difference is that here, we’re going beyond just storing carbon, and transforming it into something useful.This is a proof of concept, and we are now actively working with these communities in the laboratory to develop scalable, cost-effective systems that can contribute to Net Zero.”This paper was published in the journal: Environmental MicrobiomeFull title: Exploring the biotechnological potential of terrestrial hot spring microbiomes for CO2 utilisationDOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40793-026-00875-x 

Scientists develop a cheaper and more sustainable way to manufacture breakthrough HIV drug Lenacapavir

With financial support from the Gates Foundation, researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) have used engineering biology – an emerging technology that uses nature’s own processes to manufacture everyday chemicals and materials – to dramatically simplify how Lenacapavir is manufactured. A novel class of HIV antiretroviral drug, Lenacapavir offers long‑acting protection against HIV transmission.

Manchester–Tokyo team uncovers rare nickel enzyme with potential to transform sustainable drug manufacturing

Researchers from the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) have helped reveal, for the first time, the detailed molecular mechanism by which nature constructs a rare and pharmaceutically important chemical group, the sulfonamide.

Two Manchester researchers recognised in L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science programme

Founded in 2007, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science UK and Ireland Young Talent programme recognises ten – five winners and five highly commended – outstanding early-career scientists in the fields of engineering, life sciences, mathematics and computer science, physical sciences, and sustainable development.This year, the finalists were celebrated at an intimate awards reception hosted at Speaker’s House with the five award winners receiving a fully flexible grant of £25,000 to be used as each individual winner chooses. Two Manchester researchers were recognised: Dr Emma Fairbanks, from the Department of Mathematics, who won the mathematics and computer science category for her work on modelling disease vectors, and Dr Micaela Chacón, who was highly commended in the sustainable development category for her research at the interface of environmental microbiology and biotechnology.Dr Emma Fairbanks, Healthier Futures Research Fellow, Department of Mathematics Emma’s work focuses on improving targeted interventions to reduce disease transmission in countries affected by malaria.Traditional malaria-control models often assume homogeneous populations – made up of people with the same characteristics – or account only for age structure. Emma's models incorporate additional dimensions of heterogeneity, including occupation, housing quality and other socioeconomic variables.These refined modelling approaches have shown how targeted interventions can be far more effective. For example, Emma demonstrated that Cambodia could reduce malaria infections with 60% less product through smarter targeting of preventative interventions.Reflecting on the award, Emma said:Dr Micaela Chacón, Research Fellow, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology Micaela received highly commended up in the sustainable development category for her work on mixotrophy – a process where microbes can metabolise both organic carbon and carbon dioxide (CO2). This underexplored area has the potential to transform bioproduction by making it more efficient and sustainable.Speaking about the recognition, she described the experience as “validating”, and that “having your work recognised externally can help counter the quiet self-doubt that many researchers carry, particularly women”.She also added that she was proud that she applied because “often that is the biggest hurdle, believing you are good enough to put your name forward”.How the awards are helping women researchersBoth Emma and Micaela emphasised the value of the programme’s flexible funding, noting that it comes with fewer restrictions on how it can be used.“I know that a lot of people will use the money to stay in academia by paying for childcare, or elder care. Anything that will keep a woman in science is what they’ll fund,” said Micaela.Emma added that the funding helps researchers balance career pressures with life commitments.When asked how she would use the money Emma said she plans to invest in training and developing software interfaces so policymakers and medical practitioners can use her models to better target disease hotspots. The flexibility of the funding will also help her strengthen collaborations with partners in South America, Africa and Asia – places that are often overlooked by other funding schemes due to distance.And some words of wisdomWhen asked what advice they would give their younger selves, Emma said: “make the career you want. You might not have the most papers, but your work can still have impact. That, for me, is more successful than some of the traditional measures of success.”Micaela added “find an older woman, early, who will mentor you. There are still subtle challenges women face when navigating their scientific career, so, if you can learn from someone who has already done the navigating, that is invaluable”.Her final piece of advice: “just do it. Just put yourself out there. Failure isn’t something to fear – it’s one of the ways we learn how to succeed”.

Manchester Institute of Biotechnology welcomes three new professors, driving innovation in chemical and biological sciences

Gavin J Miller – Professor of Chemical BiologyGavin joined MIB in October 2025 as Professor of Chemical Biology. His research focuses on biomacromolecules – carbohydrates and nucleic acids – developing chemical principles and tools to tackle challenges in molecular science. The Miller group explores natural and mimetic biopolymers and small molecules, aiming to design and sustainably manufacture non-natural nucleosides and nucleic acid sequences. Projects span from bioresponsive polymer mimics for tissue engineering to automated glycan assembly and biocatalysis in flow, addressing pressing needs in infectious disease and industrial biotechnology.Gavin’s return to Manchester marks an exciting chapter for MIB, where he will continue pioneering chemical and enzymatic synthesis strategies to unlock new therapeutic and industrial applications.Andrew Buller – Professor of Biological ChemistryJoining MIB from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in January 2026, Andrew brings a distinguished track record in enzyme mechanism and protein engineering for stereoselective C–C bond formation. His research centres on pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes, which catalyse reactions through highly reactive intermediates. The Buller group has developed efficient catalysts for synthesising non-canonical amino acids – key building blocks for pharmaceuticals – and advanced multiplexed screening methodologies for enzyme evolution.At MIB, Andrew will expand his work on PLP-dependent biocatalysis and explore genetically encoded artificial metallocofactors, including a groundbreaking cobalt-substituted haem system that opens new chemical possibilities. He is eager to leverage MIB’s world-class instrumentation for mechanistic studies and large-scale synthesis.Roberto Chica – Professor of Enzyme DesignRoberto will join MIB in September 2026 as Professor of Enzyme Design. His research integrates computational and experimental approaches to create efficient artificial enzymes, with a focus on functional conformational dynamics. Roberto’s group has pioneered ensemble-based design strategies that reproduce the effects of laboratory evolution in silico, developed de novo enzymes using crystallographic guidance, and applied generative AI to customise minimal protein scaffolds. His innovations have enabled biocatalytic synthesis of D-amino acids and advanced multistate protein design.At MIB, Roberto aims to build a unified, dynamics-aware platform for enzyme design, generating biocatalysts for diverse chemical reactions while training the next generation of scientists in computational protein engineering and biocatalysis.  Driving the future of biotechnologyThe arrival of Professors Miller, Buller, and Chica underscores MIB’s commitment to world-leading research in chemical biology, enzyme engineering, and computational design. Their work will accelerate innovation across healthcare, sustainable manufacturing, and industrial biotechnology, reinforcing Manchester’s position as a global hub for biotechnology research.Professor Anthony Green, Director of the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology said of the appointments:Please join us in welcoming Gavin, Andrew and Roberto to the Institute.

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