Lakehead University Unveils BRI Laboratories: Research processes lead to a greener tomorrow

(December 4, 2009 --Thunder Bay, ON) Today, Lakehead University officials and representatives from funding and government agencies celebrated the grand opening of the University's Biorefining Research Initiative (BRI) laboratories, a project that recently put the finishing touches on a number of state-of-the-art laboratories housed at 1294 Balmoral Street.

"Lakehead University is extremely grateful to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) and FedNor for the funding each agency provided in the reconstruction and furnishing of these facilities, and in helping bring this project to fruition," explains Dr. Robert Dekker, Director of Lakehead's BRI.

Biorefinery facilities are especially valuable in accordance with environmentally focused processes and energy production. Renewable plant cellulosic materials, more commonly referred to as biomass, play a leading role in replacing chemicals - such as crude oil - which are presently produced from fossil oil at petrochemical refineries.

"The research to be conducted as part of Lakehead University's Biorefining Research Initiative at this new facility will be invaluable in a time of transformation in our province's forest industry," says Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and Chair of the NOHFC. "I'm very pleased that our government, through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, has invested $1 million toward buying equipment and renovating the lab to suit the BRI's needs.

Lakehead University's BRI considers the economic benefits of moving away from fossil fuels and harvesting bioenergy from products found within our forest ecosystems. The research conducted within Lakehead's BRI Labs, facilities which are unique to the region, focus on three major streams of forest biomass biorefining. Streams include bioconversion*, chemical conversion**, and forest microbiota conversion***.

"Lakehead's name is quickly becoming a fixture on the international research stage. Because of the support we have received on this project, three BRI scientists and more than 10 highly qualified researchers will have the opportunity to conduct competitive, valuable, cutting-edge research in these new, top-notch facilities," states Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research), Lakehead University. Dr. Wang adds that another Post-Doc Fellow and three additional PhD students will arrive early next year.

By taking advantage of all aspects of biorefining, Lakehead University's BRI aims to develop new, transformative technologies that will generate new business and employment ventures through biorefinery processes; create value-added products from renewable forest biomass resources in a sustainable manner; and ultimately reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thereby mitigating future greenhouse gas emissions.

Specialty equipment including a dedicated chromatograph for sugars analysis, a fermenter to grow microorganisms for production of enzymes and chemicals, and molecular biology equipment for cloning and expression of genes for cellulases is ready for use in the new labs.

Regarding the completion of building work, Drs. Wang, Dekker, and other members of Lakehead's Administration acknowledge the hard work and efficiency of Pradal and its subcontractors for the electrical and plumbing work undertaken throughout the new laboratory spaces, of Profor Engineering Services Ltd. for architectural input, and last but not least, of the University's Physical Plant staff in working to plan, re-design, and refurbish the labs.

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*Bioconversion: conversion of cellulose in forest biomass into biofuels (ethanol, methane), and other bio-based chemicals, bioenergy (biomass as an energy source in power generation)

**Chemical Conversion: production of low-valued, high-volume commodity chemicals from forest biomass by thermochemical processes

***Forest Microbiota: high-valued chemicals including pharmaceuticals, enzymes, and microbial agents for bioremediation

Media: Drs. Wang and Dekker are available for media interview. For more information or to arrange interview times, please contact Communications Officer Heather Scott at 807-343-8177, commun@lakeheadu.ca; or Director of Communications Eleanor Abaya at 807-343-8372, eabaya@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,700 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca