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The Wallace Lab

@swallacelab.bsky.social

Combining Biocompatible Chemistry + Synthetic Biology to enhance microbes' abilities to make chemicals sustainably. Vibrant research team at the University of Edinburgh. All views our own.

66 Followers  |  89 Following  |  26 Posts  |  Joined: 23.06.2025
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Posts by The Wallace Lab (@swallacelab.bsky.social)

These are early-stage, impactful projects with industry engagement and access to scale-up infrastructure through C-Loop. We’re keen to hear from graduates in #biotechnology, #engineeringbiology, #chemistry, or related fields who are excited by sustainability and doing something a bit different.

10.02.2026 14:52 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Both projects sit at the interface of #engineeringbiology, #chemistry, and #sustainablemanufacturing, tackling prolific waste streams:

βœ‚οΈ 1. Bio-upcycling waste human hair into chemicals for haircare products

🏭 2. Reimagining solvent waste from the pharmaceutical industry as a microbial feedstock

10.02.2026 14:51 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Bio-upcycling Dimethylformamide (DMF) Solvent Waste for Sustainable Pharmaceutical Manufacturing at University of Edinburgh on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - Bio-upcycling Dimethylformamide (DMF) Solvent Waste for Sustainable Pharmaceutical Manufacturing at University of Edinburgh, listed on FindAPhD.com

Project 2.

10.02.2026 14:49 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Bio-upcycling Waste Human Hair into Sustainable Haircare Chemicals at University of Edinburgh on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - Bio-upcycling Waste Human Hair into Sustainable Haircare Chemicals at University of Edinburgh, listed on FindAPhD.com

🚨 2 Fully Funded PhD Projects | Open to UK students 🚨

♻️ We’re recruiting another 2 PhD students to join The Wallace Lab as part of the Carbon-Loop Sustainable Manufacturing Hub, tackling some prolific but unconventional industrial waste streams!

Apply by 27th Feb πŸ—“οΈ Details below ⬇️

Project 1.

10.02.2026 14:48 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Interfacing solar energy with bacterial metabolism for sustainable chemical synthesis Nature Reviews Clean Technology - Phototrophic bacteria could be used for chemical manufacturing from various carbon sources. This Review discusses the pathways, engineering and potential...

You can't think about a sustainable chemical industry without considering our most abundant energy source: sunlight.

So how can we engineer microbes to harness this energy for our benefit?

rdcu.be/e1VfW

02.02.2026 14:00 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Interfacing solar energy with bacterial metabolism for sustainable chemical synthesis Nature Reviews Clean Technology, Published online: 29 January 2026; doi:10.1038/s44359-025-00141-2Phototrophic bacteria could be used for chemical manufacturing from various carbon sources. This Review discusses the pathways, engineering and potential application of solar chemical biosynthesis.
30.01.2026 01:57 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2

πŸ”¬ Our shiny new mega review is finally published! If you’re interested in photosynthesis, engineering biology and sustainable chemistry, check it out ⬇️

30.01.2026 16:20 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

And yes - whether you were inspired byΒ plastic-to-paracetamol,Β fatbergs-to-fragrances, or some of theΒ new waste feedstocks we’re exploring - this project gives you space to be creativeΒ and impactful.

If this sounds like your kind of PhD, please apply - or share with someone who should.

30.01.2026 16:17 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

This is a rare chance to combine:
🧬 strain design & optimisation
βš™οΈΒ bioprocess scale-up
πŸ“ŠΒ sustainability-led process design
πŸš€Β exposure to industry and entrepreneurial skills

30.01.2026 16:17 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

You’ll be based in C-Loop’sΒ new BioFactory Laboratory, working alongside a UK-wide PhD cohort andΒ 48 industry partnersΒ to engineer microbes that upcycle real industrial waste into high-value products - from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics and advanced materials.

30.01.2026 16:16 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Microbial Systems for the Bio-Upcycling of Industrial Waste Streams into High-Value Chemicals at University of Edinburgh on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - Microbial Systems for the Bio-Upcycling of Industrial Waste Streams into High-Value Chemicals at University of Edinburgh, listed on FindAPhD.com

🚨 PhD opportunity | Fully funded | Open worldwide 🚨

♻️ We’re recruiting aΒ fully funded PhD studentΒ to join The Wallace Lab at the University of Edinburgh as part of theΒ Carbon-Loop Hub, a Β£14M national programme re-imagining how chemicals are made.

Apply by 20th Feb 2026 πŸ—“οΈ Details below ⬇️

30.01.2026 16:16 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

@kittyclouston.bsky.social @natrevcleantech.nature.com

30.01.2026 15:07 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

πŸš€ New review paper out! We explore the current achievements and future potential of solar-driven bacterial metabolism to unlock greener routes to chemical synthesis, spotlighting opportunities and challenges for light-powered microbial biomanufacturing πŸŒžπŸ”¬

30.01.2026 15:06 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Wallace Lab is expanding in 2026, with five new Postdoctoral Research Associate positions now open. If you're passionate about engineering biology for sustainability, we'd love to hear from you! 🧬 ♻️

Deadline: 12th November 2025, details below ⬇️

29.10.2025 12:34 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Postdoctoral Research Associate in Engineering Biology and Bioprocess Scale-Up at The University of Edinburgh An opportunity for an academic position as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Engineering Biology and Bioprocess Scale-Up is available, as advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Apply now and explore other acade...

Positions 4 & 5: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPD673/p...

29.10.2025 12:37 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Postdoctoral Research Associate in Bio-Upcycling at The University of Edinburgh Discover Postdoctoral Research Associate in Bio-Upcycling jobs and more in higher education on jobs.ac.uk. Apply for further details on the top job board.

Position 3: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPD718/p...

29.10.2025 12:37 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Postdoctoral Research Associate in Engineering Biology for Bio-Upcycling Plastic Waste at The University of Edinburgh Explore an exciting academic career as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Engineering Biology for Bio-Upcycling Plastic Waste. Don't miss out on other academic jobs. Click to apply and explore more ...

Positions 1 & 2: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPD689/p...

29.10.2025 12:37 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

These roles offer a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with leading UK and international research teams, engage with over 50 industry partners, and help drive the transition to a circular, bio-based chemical future. Check out the adverts below, or get in touch with Stephen directly ⬇️

29.10.2025 12:36 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

βš™οΈ Bioprocess scale-up in waste-to-chemical microbial systems, spanning diverse waste streams, microbial chassis, and bioreactor designs - driving industrial translation within the C-Loop Sustainable Manufacturing Hub [2 positions].

29.10.2025 12:36 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Our open positions focus on:

🧬 Biological upcycling of plastic waste into sustainable industrial chemicals for applications in healthcare, nutrition, and materials - as part of the P3EB Mission Hub and CIRCBIONET UK-Singapore consortium [3 positions].

29.10.2025 12:35 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Wallace Lab is expanding in 2026, with five new Postdoctoral Research Associate positions now open. If you're passionate about engineering biology for sustainability, we'd love to hear from you! 🧬 ♻️

Deadline: 12th November 2025, details below ⬇️

29.10.2025 12:34 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Coming soon: Our 2025 list of Climate Tech Companies to Watch The new edition of our annual list features startups and established businesses working to decarbonize transportation, heavy industry, energy, and more.

The new edition of our annual list of Climate Tech Companies to Watch will feature startups and established businesses working to decarbonize transportation, heavy industry, energy, and more.

29.09.2025 13:50 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

#biotechnology #plasticupcycling #circulareconomy #sustainability #engineeringbiology #greenchemistry
@edinburghbiology.bsky.social @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social @edinburghchem.bsky.social @edinnovations.bsky.social @ukri.org

23.09.2025 11:16 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Scientists use bacteria to turn plastic waste into paracetamol Genetically modified E coli used to create painkillers from material produced from plastic bottles

Media🚨: www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

23.09.2025 11:12 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Microbes transform plastic waste into paracetamol | News | The University of Edinburgh Paracetamol production could be revolutionised by the discovery that a common bacterium can turn everyday plastic waste into the painkiller, a study reveals.

Edinburgh press releaseπŸ“£: www.ed.ac.uk/news/microbe...

23.09.2025 11:12 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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New-to-nature biocompatible chemistry for plastic waste upcycling - Nature Chemistry Synthetic and biological chemistry are traditionally seen as separate fields. Now, a biocompatible chemical reaction enables an engineered microbe to convert plastic waste into valuable compounds unde...

News&ViewsπŸ”: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

23.09.2025 11:11 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Links below to the News & Views (thanks Matthew Chang and colleagues!), and The Guardian article. (4/n)

23.09.2025 11:11 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

This represents something powerful: a hybrid metabolic pathway that neither biology nor chemistry could achieve alone.

Beyond advancing circular and sustainable chemical manufacturing, we hope this sparks new directions at the interface of chemical and biological synthesis. (3/n)

23.09.2025 11:10 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

We discovered that phosphate inside living cells catalyses a biocompatible Lossen rearrangement - a classic chemical reaction never before seen in nature. Add a few enzymes using engineering biology, and the result: paracetamol πŸ’Š from plastic wasteπŸ—‘οΈ (2/n).

23.09.2025 11:10 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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A biocompatible Lossen rearrangement in Escherichia coli - Nature Chemistry Biocompatible chemistry merges chemo-catalytic reactions with cellular metabolism for sustainable small-molecule synthesis. Now a biocompatible Lossen rearrangement has been demonstrated to control ba...

Ever wondered where your paracetamol comes from? Spoiler: crude oil. In this study – led by Nick Johnson from our lab in collaboration with @astra-zeneca.bsky.social – we show how biology and chemistry can work together to create a more sustainable alternative. (1/n)

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

23.09.2025 11:09 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0