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MHG funding a series of UGA projects to enhance biopolymers R&D

In last month’s newsletter, we highlighted how some Innovation Gateway Incubator companies have leveraged state and federal grant programs to help fund their product development activities. Another way for researchers to fund early-stage R&D activities is though collaborations with established companies.

Recently, Meredian Holdings Group (MHG) CEO Paul Pereira announced the company is funding a series of projects in the laboratories of Jason Locklin, department of chemistry; Mark Eiteman, College of Engineering; and Jenna Jambeck, College of Engineering, at the University of Georgia. These projects are intended to leverage UGA research expertise to expand the Georgia-based company’s R&D capabilities in the field of bioplastics made from renewable biomass sources.

MHG has provided Jason Locklin a second round of funding from a five-year $250,000 grant. Locklin is a distinguished polymer scientist who offers an unmatched skill set in materials science and engineering. His group specializes in growing functional polymers through various surface-initiated polymerization techniques, which he will use to further explore and test MHG’s proprietary biodegradable plastic, called Nodax™ PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates). Mark Eiteman’s group will use MHG’s contribution to train students in techniques for metabolic engineering of the microorganisms that naturally produce MHG’s PHA. Eiteman’s expertise in engineering organisms to increase the yield and production of biological monomers can provide insight into pathways to produce products with enhanced biodegradable properties. Jenna Jambeck’s expertise in environmental engineering and marine pollution makes her an ideal researcher to perform biodegradation comparative studies of Nodax™ PHA and several petro-plastics in controlled marine and freshwater environments. While MHG’s PHA is certified for biodegradability in all environments, continued testing and research will provide a stronger foundation for replacing petro-plastic in order to provide a sustainable future.

It is interesting to note that each of these investigators is an entrepreneur in their own right. Collaboration with MHG will give them insights into the product development process on their own technologies and help the UGA researchers develop networks outside of academia that are required for successful technology commercialization. By leveraging outside funding and helping MHG in further developing their products, UGA researchers gain invaluable insight into the product development and commercialization process.

We encourage all UGA faculty to leverage industry-sponsored research for furthering their own work, even if the sponsored research does not directly fund their own product development needs. The lessons that can be learned and connections that can be made through the interactions with company sponsors can pay dividends in their own right.