Microbial Bioprocess Technology
Microbial biotechnology provides a sustainable alternative to the production of petroleum-based chemicals and fuels from fossil resources, such as oil, and thereby, to decreases the release of greenhouse gasses.
Traditional industrial biotechnological processes for the industrial production of chemicals and fuels relied on the metabolism of naturally occurring microorganisms. We focus fundamentally understanding microorganisms and use this knowledge for metabolic engineering and bioprocess development to enable further expansion of the product- and substrate range and thereby contribute to the societal, sustainability and economic goals for affordable and clean energy and responsible production through microbial biotechnology. To achieve this, we apply, develop and/or optimize novel product-formation pathways, laboratory evolution, molecular biology tools (e.g. surface display, CRISPR-based genome editing), (constraint-based) stoichiometric models, and quantitative physiology in bioreactors. In addition to traditional ‘cell factories’ such as Escherichia coli and yeast, we also host expert teams focusing on the aerobic thermophile Geobacillus and the anaerobic cellulolytic thermophile Clostridium thermocellum.
The bioprocess pilot facility of the department, which harbours bioreactors ranging from 1-600 L and accompanying down-stream processing equipment, facilitates the scale-up of microbial bioprocesses ranging from low-molecular weight products to proteins. This pilot facility is also essential to train the next generation of bio-engineers at BSc, MSc and PhD level, as well as functions as an important link between our academic research and industry through a wide range of contract research projects.
Research Team
