13 April 2015

Evaluation of Center for Synthetic Biology

Expert panel concludes:

UNIK has promoted pioneering interdisciplinary research

The UNIK (UNiversitetsforskningens InvesteringsKapital) initiative has exceeded expectations on all parameters and has improved the framework for Danish research is the main message from the international expert panel of evaluators. The grant was given to university presidents and not to a single researcher. This has forced the universities to think in new ways and foster collaboration across traditional disciplines.

"Interdisciplinary research is important because new discoveries, technologies and discoveries often happens in the encounter between established research fields", says Danish Minister for Education and Science, Sofie Carsten Nielsen.

About synbio
Based on a strong standing within plant biochemistry and neurobiology and linked by the use of nanotechnology, the UNIK has carried out interdisciplinary research at the international forefront with expected future major applied impact in areas such as solar driven production of high value compounds.

Read the full evaluation report here ...>

The UNIK Expert Panel: 
- President, Professor Jarle Aarbakke (chairperson), Norway 
- Professor Geoffrey Channon, UK 
- Professor Emeritus Helga Haftendorn, Germany 
- Professor Pirju Nuutila, Finland 
- Professor Olli Ikkala, Finland 
- Professor Martin J. Kropff, The Netherlands 
- Professor Bart de Moor, Belgium 
- Professor Pär Omling, Sweden 
- President, Professor Harriet Wallberg-Henriksson, Sweden

Summary in Danish: https://ufm.dk/aktuelt/nyheder/2015/ekspertpanel-unik-har-fremmet-banebrydende-tvaervidenskabelig-forskning