A Polish scientist who carried out internationally-significant research into how bacteria form a waterproof raincoat to protect themselves has warned that Britain’s decision to leave the EU could be catastrophic for biosciences funding.
Dundee University-trained scientist Dr Adam Ostrowski, 32, who works for biotechnology company APS Biocontrol, said an already strained research funding environment could be devastating for research areas like his own.
Dr Ostrowski, from Gdansk in northern Poland, studied biotechnology at Gdansk University before moving to Dundee to complete his PhD in molecular microbiology at the city’s world-renowned College of Life Sciences in 2008.
It was then that he studied the protective film formed by the common soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis, that is used as an ecologically friendly fertiliser, and investigated how it could help develop improved products to protect plants from disease.
But now the scientist – currently involved in developing treatments for soft rot in plant crops – fears that research, and jobs, could be badly hit as EU funding dries up.
“Personally I was devastated by Britain’s referendum decision to leave the EU,” he told The Courier.
“I was 18 when Poland held its own referendum to join the EU. It was my first democratic vote and saw Poland’s highest voting turnout in history. I was over the moon with the overwhelming result. For Poland it was a huge achievement and the first significant step to providing stability after decades of Communist rule.
“The first time we drove into Germany when Shengen came in was phenomenal. Where normally there were huge queues of cars we could drive straight through.
“So I’m now so disappointed that Britain has decided to leave.”
Dr Ostrowski said he was not so worried about his ability to stay in Scotland as he was about his ability to work here as a scientist.
Having recently applied for British residency, he is looking forward to marrying his Scottish partner Michael – a cell biology research scientist working at Dundee University – and hopes to stay long term in the Dundee area.
But if EU funding ceases for his work, he fears he may have no alternative but to move away.
He added: “I left Poland because I could not support myself as a scientist and that’s why I came here. But if I can’t support myself here as a scientist as a result of Britain leaving the EU, then I’ll have no alternative but to consider moving away.
“The market is incredibly competitive and the company is very innovative. But if there is no funding coming in then there will be no research and therefore no company.
“Funding has been difficult to get hold of since the 2008 recession. This could be far worse.”
