Technology for production of novel molecule could bring important societal benefits
NCIMB news, September 2025
NCIMB principal scientist Dr Brandon Childers was awarded the CarboHyde poster prize for most industrially relevant work at the 8th European Cyclodextrin Conference last week.
CarboHyde is a private preclinical company focussed on redefining industries through the potential of cyclodextrins, and Brandon’s poster described the work he has carried out at NCIMB on a novel enzyme technology for the production of a cyclodextrin molecule that is smaller than those currently available. The availability of a smaller cyclodextrin could open up new applications and markets for these versatile molecules, with important societal and environmental benefits.
Cyclodextrins are made from starch using bacterial enzymes and have a ring-shaped structure. Other molecules can be trapped in the centre of the ring, and this is the characteristic that gives them their functionality – they are used to trap, solubilise and stabilise other molecules. Cyclodextrins are currently available in three sizes, and their size is an important factor in how they are used. They are useful for drug delivery, and are found in a number of commonly prescribed medicines. The molecules can also be used to bind fragrances and consequently have application in products designed to deliver scents or eliminate odour. For example, they are used in the manufacture of products such as scented tumble dryer sheets, and are a key functional ingredient in the odour eliminating product Febreze.
Commenting on the win, Brandon said: “There was some amazing science presented at the European Cyclodextrin Conference last week, so I am thrilled to have received this award. I am looking forward to the prize of a 2-week research visit to CarboHyde, and am excited about the future potential of our technology.”
CarboHyde’s pipeline of cyclodextrin applications include gene therapy and biotechnology, and the company fosters several preclinical programmes in neurodegenerative and rare disease indications superior ways of delivering oligonucleotides, and various applications related to vaccines.
NCIMB Ltd is an innovation-driven biotechnology and microbiology services company that houses an extensive collection of bacteria with industrial potential. We supply strains from our culture collection for research and commercial use, and undertake research and development projects on a collaborative or contract research basis.
“There was some amazing science presented at the European Cyclodextrin Conference last week, so I am thrilled to have received this award.”