A new research centre to explore the power of fungi at Cranfield University
January 16, 2024, Cranfield (UK)
We are delighted to announce the establishment of the Magan Centre for Applied Mycology at Cranfield University, a proud partner of the EWABELT Project (GA 962848). This research center, named in honor of the late Professor Naresh Magan, a distinguished expert in applied mycology and a revered scientist within the EWABELT Community, is dedicated to exploring the beneficial potentials of fungi. With an initial funding of £7.2 million from Research England, the center aims to investigate the positive contributions of technologies and applications derived from fungi in supporting the green economy and global efforts towards achieving net zero goals.
Drawing on over 35 years of extensive research experience in fungi, particularly in the realms of food storage and safety, Cranfield University is expanding its focus to explore other areas where fungi could exert a significant influence. The endeavor encompasses interdisciplinary research into diverse applications, including renewable energy, biofuels, construction materials, packaging, robotic components, and fuel cells. Emphasizing the untapped potential of fungi, Professor Angel Medina-Vaya, Director of Environment and Agrifood at Cranfield University and Principal Investigator of the project, highlighted the transformative capabilities of this kingdom. He expressed that fungi could play a pivotal role in advancing global net zero aspirations, asserting that the new center is poised to lead the way in pioneering innovative applications and technologies derived from fungi.
On top of that, Cranfield University will engage in collaborative efforts with global organizations possessing extensive fungal collections to propel research in this field and contribute to the enrichment of literature. These partnerships include institutions such as the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in the UK, the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute in the Netherlands, and the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute in South Africa. Simultaneously, these collaborations will serve to bolster existing research initiatives.
The creation of this new center not only recognizes the expertise of the researchers from Cranfield University, but also underscores the excellence and advancements facilitated by the EWABELT Project in the realm of fungi, technologies derived from fungi, and their applications.
We congratulate the entire Team at Cranfield University for such a significant achievement!
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