Dr. Patrick Murray is head of research and technology transfer and the Principal Investigator of Shannon Applied Biotechnology
Centre. He has a strong track record of collaboration with industry specifically in identification of innovative ingredients
and biological products from natural resources particularly marine and fungal microorganisms using novel state of the art
processes to obtain lead molecules for drug development and value added food, flavour and medicinal products. Limerick Institute’s
flagship research centre "Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre" (Shannon ABC) has an ongoing programme to explore natural
products for novel bioactive substances of value to wide industry sectors. The Centre it is based on a symbiotic relationship
between research and industry with industry driven research strategies at the forefront of the gateway ideal. Natural products
embraces a diversity of materials derived from waste streams, marine, plant, animal, mammalian and microbial sources. Shannon
ABC focuses on developing, enhancing and commercializing biotechnology by collaborating with industry to promote product diversification
and enhancement, increase market growth and aid competitiveness. Dr. Murray also directs projects involved in bioconversion
of target biomass streams to fermentable feedstock’s for bioethanol/biodiesel production. Dr. Murray is also involved in scale-up
of indoor photobioreactor systems cultivation and extraction of high value bioactive molecules from microalgae and microalgal
biodiesel production pathways.