Welcome

Dear Conference participant,

Welcome to the ninth conference on Recent Advances in Fermentation technology, co-sponsored by the Society for Industrial Microbiology and the Division of Biochemical Technology (BIOT) of the American Chemical Society. Both societies continue to be highly active in the support of research and development in the areas of microbiology, fermentation technology, cell culture and commercial biomanufacturing and this conference reflects that support.

This is an incredibly exciting time to be involved in fermentation technology. The focus of the biotechnology industry has shifted from basic research that dominated until the early 2000's to the need to manufacture products. This means low cost, high yielding, high quality and highly reproducible manufacturing processes, usually employing microbial or mammalian cells, to economically generate value-added products. This puts fermentation technology front and center in the business plans of biotechnology companies. Commercial and government support of biofuels, the move toward green chemicals, and the growth in pharmaceutical biologics are each playing their part in the growth of the fermentation technology sector. The unique demands of these sectors, whether it is the need to reduce costs and operate at the immense scale of the biofuel industry; or the need for quality and process understanding in the pharmaceutical industry; ensures that the need for innovation and delivery in the fermentation technology sector has never been greater.

Against that backdrop, this conference has been themed "RAFTIX: From Concept to Commercialization." Throughout the week the session chairs will lead us through the fermentation technology space and a great slate of speakers will let us know how they have solved parts of the puzzle that lead from a great idea to saleable product. Our keynote speaker, Dr David Glassner of Gevo, has been through this process on more than one occasion and will give us his insights on what it takes to get biological products to market. The banquet speaker, Dr Robert Bud of London's Science Museum will give us the fermentation experience from the perspective of a historian, showing us how our mentors and predecessors approached the chanllenges that faced them.

We extend our thanks to Ms Chris Lowe, Ms Nancy Gorell and the SIM staff for their support in putting together the program. We also thank all of the session chairs for putting together a fabulous program and to the speakers, who will provide plenty of talking points during the week. We are pleased that you are with us at RAFTIX. We invite you to attend the sessions, use the exhibit hall, poster sessions and receptions to engage your fellow delegates in animated discussion and debate, but also to enjoy the climate and surroundings that a week at Marco Island in November can provide. Enjoy the conference!

Cheers!
Tim Davies and Dot Reilly

Program Co-Chairs
Dorothea Reilly, Genentech
Tim Davies, Green Biologics