A team of Applied Biotechnology MSc students from the University of Westminster have achieved poster finalist status at the Society of Chemistry and Industry’s (SCI) prestigious Bright SCIdea Challenge. Sarbojoy Saha, Muslihudeen Adedamola Ibikunle and Sourabh Sethi made up Team Blue Indigo and were named finalists for their sustainable alternative to traditional, chemical-intensive indigo dye production, pioneering an eco-friendly approach.
The Bright SCIdea Challenge provides students from UK and international universities with the opportunity to develop an innovative science-based idea into a business plan, competing for a £5,000 prize. Participants gain access to exclusive training, networking opportunities and mentorship from industry professionals, including successful entrepreneurs, investors and patent experts.
Team Blue Indigo’s project focused on a sustainable approach to indigo dye production, offering a viable alternative to the traditional chemical-intensive process, which generates hazardous by-products and wastewater. Their innovative science kit is designed to empower students and textile researchers to modify bacteria, such as E. coli, to create indigo dye. This approach aligns with the growing need for environmentally friendly dye production methods.
The final event was held on 18 March at SCI’s headquarters in London and attracted 80 delegates and featured top teams from 12 universities worldwide, including from the UK, Canada, Australia and Saudi Arabia.
Reflecting on the experience team leader Sarbojoy Saha said: “It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience to be able to participate at the Bright SCIdea Challenge Final 2025 and represent the University of Westminster as poster finalists. Our team, Blue Indigo, was the only participating team from Westminster and it was an excellent opportunity to be able to share this novel idea of sustainable bioindigo production from microbes to reduce carbon footprint and ensure a green economy.
“We are grateful to our team members and also to our supervisor, Professor Godfrey Kyazze, for his guidance and support. We wish to participate in similar events soon. We obtained a one-year student membership at SCI and became members of their SCI College of Scholars. We had the opportunity of networking and forming meaningful connections with other delegates and teams from the UK and abroad, and I am pleased to share that we have been invited to the Society’s Annual General Meeting in their headquarters on 2 July 2025.”
Professor Kyazze, Co-course Leader of the Applied Biotechnology MSc course, added: “Commercial awareness is a skill we strive to develop in our students. That is why we have a full core module called Science, Technology and Commercialisation as part of the Applied Biotechnology MSc curriculum. It is good to see that Team Blue Indigo has taken steps to translate knowledge gained in their degree into a marketable idea/product and have gone on to reach the SCI Bright SCIdea challenge as poster finalists. I congratulate them all.”
Team Blue Indigo’s project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 14: Life Below Water. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about the Applied Biotechnology MSc course at the University of Westminster.
