BRIGHT is a new hub for DTU's research, innovation, and education in biotechnology and bioproduction. Based on its research, BRIGHT will contribute to the development of biologically based products and solutions that can make a real difference in the green transition.
BRIGHT is based at DTU, which is among the world's five strongest universities in biotechnology research. The initiative has a particular focus on development in three areas:
- Sustainable materials
- Microbial foods
- Microorganisms for net-zero agriculture
The goal is to develop and scale up innovative biosolutions in each of these areas so that they can ultimately become sustainable and competitive alternatives to fossil-based products and processes, thereby making a significant contribution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation is supporting BRIGHT with a grant of up to DKK 1.05 billion over the next seven years.
Innovation and collaboration are the way forward
On 1 September 2025, Luuk van der Wielen will take up his position as director of BRIGHT.
"We are delighted to appoint Luuk van der Wielen, who has also been appointed professor of sustainable bio-economic development. I am confident that he is the right person for the job, given his extensive experience in innovation and having started successful spinouts himself. He has also driven countless collaborations between researchers and both small and large companies. This is a strong foundation for BRIGHT, whose most important tasks are innovation and business collaboration," says Christine Nellemann, Provost, DTU.
"In addition, Luuk van der Wielen's global orientation is essential in the effort to secure a strong position for both Denmark and Europe in biotechnological solutions for the sustainable food and materials of the future."
Luuk van der Wielen is a renowned researcher and expert in bioeconomy and bioprocess innovation, which he has worked with throughout his career. His research covers engineering topics within the production of biorenewables and their societal impact.
"I look forward to realising the ambitions and potential of BRIGHT in industrial biotechnology, which will strengthen sustainable economic development in Denmark, Europe and globally. Europe has a proud history of biotechnological innovation, where discoveries in the laboratory are turned into industrial opportunities. I feel very privileged to be part of shaping the next phase of this work as an essential part of the green transition, together with the team at BRIGHT and academic and industrial partners in Europe and beyond," says Luuk van der Wielen.
He comes from a position as head of Bernal Institute and Chair of Biosystems Engineering & Design at the University of Limerick in Ireland and remains to be affiliated as distinguished professor of bio-based economics with Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. He also holds several patents and sits on several boards and steering committees within sustainability and economics, as well as acting as an advisor to several biotech companies and foundations, including the Danish Innovation Fund.
