Prof. Colin Ratledge is recognized as a world authority on the production of single cell oils, particularly the production of polyunsaturated fats by yeast, fungi and algae. He has worked extensively on the genetic control of key genes involved in lipid accumulation and the biochemistry and regulation of acetyl-CoA in microorganisms.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and a Fellow of the Institute of Biology. He has been a member of the Science Advisory Committee of the European Federation of Biotechnology (1983-87), Vice Chairman of the British Coordinating Committee for Biotechnology (1986-91, including Chairman 1989-91), and a member of the Management Committee of the Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London (1996 to present).