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BioTOPics 44 | May 2012
BioTOP-Report
LGC Genomics
LGC Genomics (www.lgcgenomics.com) is
the genomics division of the international
science-based LGC Group. LGC Genomics
has recently merged with KBioscience, a UK-
based technology company providing its
own range of SNP genotyping chemistry and
novel instrumentation to the life science
research and quality control communities.
The combined company now provides a full
range of high quality genomics products,
services and solutions including sample
preparation (primarily, nucleic acid extrac-
tion), nucleic acid sequencing, genotyping
and biobanking. LGC Genomics has laborato-
ries in the UK, Germany and North America
along with sales and support staff in over 15
locations in Europe, America and the Far East.
The portfolio includes:
k
Genotyping services, assays and
reagents
k
Sanger and next generation sequencing
services on Roche 454 & Illumina HiSeq
2000 platforms
k
DNA and RNA extraction products and
services
k
DNA/RNA biobanking including storage,
retrieval and analysis services
k
Reagents and consumables for molecular
biology
k
Pharmacogenetics and diagnostic
services
k
Laboratory instrumentation including
plate sealers, liquid handling robots,
high-throughput PCR thermal cyclers,
plate readers and a suite of laboratory
automation instruments
Address
LGC Genomics GmbH
Ostendstrasse 25 · TGS Haus 8
12459 Berlin · Germany
Phone +49 30 53042200
service@lgcgenomics.com
www.lgcgenomics.com
co.don AG
co.don
®
AG is a public biopharmaceutical
company, founded in November 1993, since
2001 listed on Frankfurt stock exchange.
co.don
®
AG manufactures cell-based tissue
engineering therapeutics of the highest
purity and to the highest quality standards.
Its products represent a revolutionary pro-
cess in the biological replacement of dam-
aged articular cartilage, invertebral disc and
bone by building up strictly autologous tis-
sue without the involvement of any external
carrier materials or additives. The applica-
tion of the products may be minimally inva-
sive or arthroscopic and so surgery and reha-
bilitation times significantly reduced for doc-
tor and patient. Because no external materi-
als are used, the risks of rejection, inflamma-
tion and infection are very slight.
co.don
®
AG is certified in accordance with
DIN EN ISO 9001:2008. Furthermore, pro-
duction, quality control and quality assur-
ance have been certified in accordance with
European Guidelines for Good Manufactur-
ing Practice (EU-GMP) since 1997. In 1997
co.don
®
AG was the first biopharmaceutical
company in Europe to be granted a permit
for the manufacture of autologous chondro-
cyte and osteoblast transplants under sec-
tion 13 of the German Drugs Law (AMG).
co.don
®
AG‘s technological, production and
regulatory expertise makes the company a
first mover in the market for biological carti-
lage and bone replacement and a provider of
highly effective, safe treatment options
between pain therapy and endoprothetics.
Address
co.don AG
Warthestraße21
14513 Teltow · Germany
Contact
Matthias Meißner, M.A.
Head Corporate Communications/IR/PR
Phone +49 3328 4346 0
Fax
+49 3328 4346 43
info@codon.de · www.codon.de
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BioTOPics 44 | May 2012
BioTOP-Report
Bioeconomy
Bioeconomy
Towards the Age of the Bioeconomy
Bioeconomy stands for a sustainable and resource-saving “green” economy which uses biological resources
more extensively than in the past and becomes increasingly independent of fossil raw materials. This is vital
because population growth, limited resources and global warming require urgent action to master the global
challenges of the future. Biotechnology is essential to the development of the bioeconomy.
One approach is the industrial use of non-food materials which
do not compete with food production. These are either renew-
able raw materials which are not used in the food sector (e.g.
lignocellulosis, the structural matrix of ligneous plants) or biog-
enous waste and residual materials. Valuable substances for the
pharmaceuticals, food and cosmetics industries can be obtained
from these raw materials. In the German Capital Region, the po-
tential of microalgae, for example, is being investigated at the
research institute IGV GmbH, while other research in the region
focuses on the extraction of vitamins and further secondary sub-
stances from sallow thorn leaves for natural cosmetics.
Figure : Regional players in the field of industrial biomass use.
The following sectors are involved: agriculture and forestry, plant breeding/horti-
culture, wood/cellulose/paper, chemicals (from biological raw materials), cosmet-
ics, pharmaceuticals (from biological raw materials), new materials/bio-polymers,
textiles, environmental technology and waste disposal/recycling. The size of the
circles corresponds to the number of players in the respective area. (Source: genius
gmbh – science & communication.)
Biopolymers and biobased synthetic materials form a key appli-
cation field for the industrial use of biomass, i.e. the conversion
of biomass into building blocks for the chemical industry. In the
cooperation project LIGNOS (Aevotis GmbH, Fraunhofer Institute
for Applied Polymer Research (IAP) and the University of Pots-
dam), enzyme systems are being optimised for the extraction of
different lignocelluloses, from which biopolymers are obtained
which are then processed in moulded products, fibres or fleece
materials. The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering (ATB)
in Potsdam-Bornim is a partner of the EU demonstration project
BREAD4PLA, in which lactic acid is produced from waste bread.
After being polymerised into poly-lactic acid (PLA), the mate-
rial can be used to produce packaging foils for bread. To foster
more intense interaction between the existing capabilities in the
field of biopolymers and the plastics processing industry, BioTOP
Berlin-Brandenburg will organise an innovation forum in 2012
in cooperation with Kunststoffverbund Berlin Brandenburg e. V.,
BASF Schwarzheide GmbH and the Fraunhofer IAP.
Berlin and Brandenburg have recognised the strategic and eco-
nomic importance of the bioeconomy for their regions. A “Po-
tential Analysis of the Regional Bioeconomy in Berlin and Bran-
denburg” was performed in late 2011 to investigate the existing
capabilities and identify the innovation potentials in the field of
renewable raw materials . The analysis showed that Berlin-Bran-
denburg has the potential to play a decisive role in the develop-
ment of the bioeconomy in Germany and Europe.
A short version of the analysis can be downloaded on
www.biotop.de/Biooekonomie