When the Energy & Bioscience Institute (EBI) was first established, its main emphasis was on generating second-generation biofuels, while offering a wide range of multidisciplinary activities and combining the natural, life, and social sciences. Over time, partners of the EBI have changed and yet the emphasis is still on alternative and improved energy technologies – taking advantage of Berkeley’s advantage in life and natural sciences.
In January 2025, the EBI established a big marine initiative — building the International Bioeconomy & Macroalgae Center (IBMC). This is the first NSF global center in the blue bioeconomy where scientists from eleven countries are addressing different aspects of macroalgae development: (i) basic research identifying new species and their traits, (ii) generation of knowledge on how to grow and harvest macroalgae, and (iii) social and business research on how to establish new economic activities based on this knowledge. These blue bioeconomy activities are complemented by the Berkeley Center for Ocean Futures, which is a network of over 65 faculty and researcher across 16 departments working on different aspects of ocean and marine systems. Together, the BeCOF and IBMC have created enormous momentum on the Berkeley campus including new courses and workshops. These activities are now part of a Berkeley Blue umbrella that encompasses ocean systems and blue bioeconomic activities focusing on translational research. Hopefully, growing student interest and emerging resources will lead to expanding the number of Berkeley faculty specializing in marine ecosystem research. Because building the Berkeley Blue will also require facilities with direct water access, we anticipate that the marine research initiatives will be able to establish a home in the former EPA building at the Richmond Field Station (RFS).
The growing interest in building the bioeconomy goes beyond the blue. The large bioeconomy is based on an economic system that uses renewable biological resources and biological processes to produce food, materials, energy, and services while reusing, recycling, and valorizing unutilized residues, thereby minimizing waste and environmental impacts and enhancing sustainability. We can distinguish between different segments of the bioeconomy.
- Technology-driven, resulting in pharma biopharmaceuticals.
- Resource-oriented that includes agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and biomass.
- Circular activities that consist of waste valorization, recycling, bio-based materials, and green bioeconomy which provides ecosystem services, and carbon sequestration.
Berkeley has the expertise and diversity to be a global hub for the bioeconomy; realizing this potential requires major initiatives like the IBMC.
As 2026 commences, we expect other bioeconomy activities will emerge and become integrated on the Berkeley campus. In addition to the energy and macroalgae bioeconomy activities of the EBI, the Integrated Genomic Institute (IGI) is leading in developing biotechnology techniques and applications to improve crop productivity and addressing the challenges of climate change. Additionally, there are ongoing research efforts to develop biopharmaceutical activities in greenhouses. The Berkeley Wood Lab, which is already located at the Richmond Field Station, is developing wood products that can be used for construction, replacing concrete and cement, contributing to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Berkeley Lawrence National Lab science teams have developed processes for converting forest overgrowth and agricultural waste (combustible materials) into biochar and liquid biofuel. Berkeley faculty collaborate with scholars across the UC system and entrepreneurs and leaders from the Central Valley to absorb lessons from the rest of the world and build a bioeconomy activities in the Central Valley, enhancing the range of products of California agriculture.
Bringing these efforts together creates powerful synergies that strengthen Berkeley’s position as a leading center for bioeconomy research while expanding resources, educational opportunities, and impact in California and beyond. To support this work, the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI), together with other sponsors, will host a conference on March 4–5, bringing researchers and members of the Berkeley and California communities together to share findings and advance a vision for a world-leading bioeconomy program at Berkeley. Participants from Brazil, the European Union, and other countries, as well as international organizations, are planning to attend. We hope this workshop will catalyze a larger international effort focused on bioeconomy research and policy to address climate change, food security, and energy challenges, while building the alliances needed to turn this vision into reality.