About the Symposium
The Biomass Conversion Symposium will be held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on October 31 and November 1, 2011. The symposium will focus on the challenges and opportunities in biomass conversion.
Lignocellulose is one of the most promising renewable feedstocks for fermentation-based production of fuels and chemicals. However, the recalcitrant structure of lignocellulose poses technical hurdles to an economically viable biorefinery. Similarly, the cost-effective synthesis of novel advanced biofuels and chemicals also remains an overwhelming challenge.
Therefore, the main purpose of this symposium is to bring together researchers working at the front of the field from both academia and industry to tackle these outstanding challenges in biomass conversion. There will be a total of eighteen invited presentations. Topics will range from biomass depolymerization to sugar utilization to microbial synthesis of next-generation fuels and biochemicals. A poster session will also be held to showcase the on-going exciting projects in this field.
This symposium should be of interest to anyone who is concerned with sustainability and energy related issues.
Registration is free but required. Registration will close on October 24, 2011.
This event is sponsored by the Energy Biosciences Institute and Illinois Center for Industrial Biotechnology.
Welcome & Introduction
Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,
After Dinner Lecture:
Invited Speakers
Douglas Cameron
Founder, Alberti Advisors
Title: Biomass Conversion: State of the Field and Future Directions
Abstract & Bio
Michelle Chang
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley
Title: Engineering E. coli for new chemical function
Abstract & Bio
Sundeep Vani
Technical Director, ADM
Title: Commercializing Biomass based Products: Engineering Challenges
Abstract & Bio
Bill Metcalf
Professor, Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Title: Metabolic engineering of methanogenic Archaea for capture of residual biomass in biofuel waste streams
Abstract & Bio
Huimin Zhao
Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Title: Synthetic Biology: Putting Synthesis into Biology
Abstract & Bio
Michael Lynch
Chief Scientific Officer, OPX Biotechnologies
Title: Engineering of Microbes for Chemicals Production
Abstract & Bio
Bärbel Hahn-Hägerdal
Applied Microbiology, Lund University, Sweden, C5 Ligno Technologies AB
Title: Engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains for bioconversion of lignocellulose
Abstract & Bio
Brian F. Pfleger
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Title: Metabolic engineering of bacteria for sustainable production of fatty acid derived products
Abstract & Bio
Tom Jefferies
Professor, Department of Microbiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Title: Recent advances in pentose utilization by native and engineered yeasts
Abstract & Bio
Jamie Cate
Associate Professor, Departments of Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Berkeley
Title: A tale of two fungi: Improving biofuel production from plant biomass
Abstract & Bio
Christopher Rao
Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Title: Regulation of pentose metabolism: elucidating the roles of catabolite repression, transport, and efflux.
Abstract & Bio
Yong-su Jin
Assistant Professor, Department of Food Sciences and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Title: Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for producing cellulosic biofuels
Abstract & Bio
Nancy Ho
Research Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University
Title: Technologies Are Ready For Cost-Effective Production of Cellulosic Ethanol by Yeast-Based Biochemical Conversion
Abstract & Bio
Charles Zukoski
Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Title: Biomass to Chemicals: Economic Development Opportunity for Singapore?
Abstract & Bio
Douglas Clark
Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California at Berkeley
Title: Engineering Thermostable Trichoderma reesei Cellulases
Abstract & Bio
Isaac Cann
Professor, Department of Microbiology and Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Title: Hemicellulose degradation; insights from the rumen
Abstract & Bio
Nathan Price
Associate Professor, Institute for Systems Biology Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Title: Systems analysis of genome-scale metabolic and regulatory networks
Abstract & Bio
Jan Pero
Vice President for Research & Development, Myriant
Title: Production of Succinic Acid from Renewable Feedstocks
Abstract & Bio
Ramon Gonzalez
Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Rice University
Title: Realizing the promise of engineered metabolism: efficient synthesis of fuels and chemicals
Abstract & Bio
Poster Session and Competition
Before dinner, a poster session will be held, including a competition for the best poster presentations. Attendees are encouraged to submit a poster and abstract with their registration. Scientific posters with projects related to biomass conversion are eligible for the competition. This is open to UIUC and non-UIUC graduate students and post-docs .
Monetary prizes will be awarded to the poster winners.
First: $200, Second: $125, Third: $75
Location
Accommodations
There are numerous hotels in the Urbana/Champaign area, listed below are four located close to the iHotel
iHotel and Conference Center
1900S First Street, Champaign, IL
(217)-819-5000
Hampton Inn Champaign Urbana
1200 W University Ave Urbana, IL 61801
(866)-599-6674
Hilton Garden Inn Champaign/Urbana
1501 S. Neil Street, Champaign, IL
(217) 352-9970
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Champaign
101 Trade Center Dr, Champaign IL
(217)-398-3400
Illini Union Hotel
1401 W Green St #115, Urbana, IL
(217)333-3030
Travel Info
Directions to I-Hotel conference center (1900 S 1st Street, Champaign, IL 61820)
From Willard Airport (CMI): Follow airport exit signs. Turn left (north) onto US Route 45 (3.5 miles). Turn right (east) onto Windsor Road (0.4 miles). Turn left (north) onto South First Street. I Hotel and Conference Center is located at the intersection of South First Street and St. Mary’s Road (8 miles).
From I-72: Follow I-72 (University Avenue) through Champaign (1.8 miles). Turn right (south) onto Neil Street (1.5 miles). Turn left (east) onto St. Mary’s Road (.4 miles). I Hotel and Conference Center is located at the intersection of South First Street and St. Mary’s Road.
From I-74: Take Neil Street Exit #182 and turn south onto Neil Street. Turn left (east) onto St. Mary’s Road (2.8 miles). I Hotel and Conference Center is located at the intersection of South First Street and St. Mary’s Road (.4 miles).
From South I-57: Take exit onto I-74 E (2.4 miles). Take the Neil Street Exit #182 and turn south onto Neil Street. Turn left (east) onto St. Mary’s Road (2.8 miles). I Hotel and Conference Center is located at the intersection of South First Street and St. Mary’s Road (.4 miles)
From North I-57: Take I-74 Indianapolis Exit #237A. Follow I-74 to Neil Street Exit #182 and turn south onto Neil Street. Turn left (east) onto St. Mary’s Road (2.8 miles). I Hotel and Conference Center is located at the intersection of South First Street and St. Mary’s Road (.4 miles).
Contact
Email: biomassconversion@igb.illinois.edu
Phone: (217)-333-2631
Fax: (217) 333-5052