IMBM’s Dr. Elzaan Booysen awarded R1-million grant towards water remediation project

IMBM currently holds several patents for the production of lyso-ornithine and ornithine-lipids in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida. These compounds are amphiphilic and therefore considered biologically-derived surfactants which holds promise in a variety of biotechnological applications such as cosmetic formulations (emulsification agents), agricultural applications (pesticide adjuvants), as potential anti-inflammatories for IBS and anti-microbial compounds, in their own right. In a pilot study by Dr. Elzaan Booysen, she demonstrated that when co-formulated with a locally produced proprietary biocide, lyso-ornithine lipids improved biofilm removal by the biocide. Based on this preliminary work, she applied for and was awarded a R1-million grant to investigate further. Read the full story here: https://www.uwc.ac.za/news-and-announcements/news/uwc-emerging-female-researcher-secures-r1-million-grant-to-combat-cooling-tower-bacterial-contamination