MicroBioGen appoints new Deputy Head of Research

Industrial biotech company MicroBioGen, which breeds yeast strains for purposes including biofuels and baking, has announced Dr Heinrich Kroukamp as its new Deputy Head of Research.

Kroukamp (pictured) has nearly a decade’s experience in working with and researching yeast, including as team lead for the metabolic engineering of yeast at All G Foods, and technology lead at Nourish Ingredients, both food technology businesses specialising in precision fermentation. 

The new Deputy Head of Research at MicroBioGen was Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Synthetic Biology from 2015 to 2021 at Macquarie University, and has been an Adjunct Research Fellow at the university since 2021, primarily responsible for genetic analysis of yeast genomes and improving beneficial traits.

In the new role, he will work closely with MicroBioGen co-founder and Head of Research Dr Philip Bell.

“I’m extremely pleased to be joining MicroBioGen at this pivotal point in time as the company embarks on its next phase,” Kroukamp said in a statement on Thursday.

“I’m looking forward to leading their innovative research initiatives and continuing their extensive work in elite yeast strain development, alongside a highly experienced team.” 

MicroBioGen CEO and co-founder Geoff Bell, added: “It is an exciting time for Dr Heinrich to join MicroBioGen during our growth phase as we continue to expand our portfolio of world-leading yeast products and progress our research and development of yeast strains for diverse applications across industries and globally.”

@AuManufacturing visited the company’s labs at Macquarie Park, in northern Sydney, last year. Click here to read an interview with Philip and Geoff Bell discussing MicroBioGen’s ambitions involving baker’s yeast, a microorganism underpinning an estimated $US 2 trillion in economic activity globally.

Further reading

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