Idea to unblock pipes wins bioscience prize

An environmentally friendly way to prevent zebra mussels and other invading fresh water species from infesting and blocking pipework has won its creators top prize in the Bioscience Business Plan Competition.

Lord Sainsbury, science minister, presented a team from the University of Cambridge with Pounds 20,000 for drawing up a solid business plan with help and advice from the competition's organisers to turn their innovative idea into a marketable commodity.

Teams from Bristol and Manchester universities were judged runners-up.