5 whether it can be made economically viable. That can take a while.” Nevertheless, there are projects that stand out, especially if you can see the complexity and potential. For example, microorganisms are currently being used to investigate whether plastic can be made from methane leaking from landfills. And Lamers is deve- loping HAN Biocentre’s own yeast, which makes oil from paper and plant waste. This way, paint no longer needs to be made from fossil based oil. FAT MAKES OIL “Our yeast gets fat when it gets too much sugar, just like humans. And you can use that fat as a base for oil”, Lamers says. “Natural waste streams contain a lot of sugars. Only the yeast can’t naturally ‘eat’ the waste very well. By making genetic modifications, you can get it to break down the waste more efficiently and ultimately produce more oil.” But for Lamers, the highlight of 20 years at HAN BioCentre is not necessarily tied to one project. “For me, it’s the fact that we have continued to grow, that we still exist and that we have a team that supports one another and works together toward a common goal: contributing to a healthy, circular and sustainable society.” It is partly because of this that he looks to the future with enthusiasm. “I look forward to being filled with wonder for another 20 years, and passing on that sense of wonder and knowledge to students.” STRONG SENSE OF OWNERSHIP 2 decades ago, Dennis Lamers was one of 5 employees who formed the first team at HAN BioCentre. After studying biochemistry, Lamers first worked as a researcher at UMC Utrecht, but because of the travel time to his home town of Cuijk, he decided to look for something else. “I also wanted a job where I could gain more knowledge, share that knowledge AND help build something”, says the lecturer-researcher. “That’s what I found at the biocentre. We bought an inventory from a company that had left the Netherlands, and we just started from there. That strong sense of ownership we felt in the beginning is still here today.” 10 years ago, Lamers began a doctoral program, which he narrowly missed completing due to personal circumstances. “In the end, I also asked myself whether my life would truly be better with a title. For me, the most valuable thing is working together on research.” Dennis Lamers
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