The goal of the Novo Nordisk Foundation and DTU’s major new research initiative is ambitious: to strengthen Denmark and Europe’s bioeconomy and develop scalable biosolutions that can free us from fossil resources.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) will connect and strengthen internationally leading biotechnology research across DTU. Central to the initiative’s mission is to ensure impact, says DTU Provost Christine Nellemann:

“For years, we have been talking about the great potential of biosolutions. The purpose of BRIGHT is to realise that potential and create real, bio-based solutions that can be implemented in industry and make our society greener, richer, and more resilient," she says.

This will be achieved through close collaboration with industry, says Luuk van der Wielen, Director of BRIGHT:

“If we are to succeed in developing a competitive Danish and European bioeconomy, collaboration between universities and both small and large companies across sectors is essential. That is why it will be a core value for BRIGHT to be open to collaboration and to generously share the knowledge we create.”

Training engineers specialising in biosolutions will also be a core task for BRIGHT. And its location at DTU provides a unique opportunity to utilise an already leading educational and research environment, says Luuk van der Wielen:

“Europe’s economy, which is increasingly driven by biosolutions, calls for a new generation of engineers and researchers. Therefore, BRIGHT’s task is also to present talented students with real-world problems and groundbreaking biotechnological research so that they are equipped to go directly into society and change the world for the better,” he says.

BRIGHT's research, development and education will focus on three areas that are crucial to the implementation of the green transition:

• Sustainable materials
• Microbial foods
• Microorganisms for climate-neutral agriculture

Read more about BRIGHT here.