Michael Odonohue

Background

About Michael Odonohue

As a tenured researcher at INRAE, I specialize in glycoside hydrolases and their applications in lignocellulosic biomass fractionation. My work bridges fundamental research and industrial innovation, focusing on enzyme engineering to develop biocatalysts for biomass hydrolysis, pentose sugar refining, and the synthesis of biobased compounds. I led the €20M EU BIOCORE project, which pioneered a holistic biorefinery concept, followed by BIOPIC 2G, a demo plant initiative that validated BIOCORE’s success. Currently, I head IBISBA, a pan-European infrastructure project that federates and integrates R&D facilities to accelerate biotechnology research in support of biomanufacturing. IBISBA is now a cornerstone of the European Strategic Roadmap for Research Infrastructures and is transitioning into a legal entity, supported by Horizon Europe. Our latest initiative, BIOINDUSTRY 4.0, leverages AI to revolutionize biotechnology (bioindustry4.eu). Beyond IBISBA, I’ve led INRAE’s 600-staff Transform Division and launched EXPLOR’AE, a high-risk/high-reward funding program fostering breakthrough research (explorae.inrae.fr). Passionate about sustainable biotechnology and the bioeconomy, I thrive at the intersection between the science doers and the science decision-makers, and enjoy collaborating with fellow academics, SMEs, and global partners to drive the bioeconomy forward.