Technical University of Denmark - Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Key persons: Assoc. Prof. Krist V. Gernaey; Assoc. Prof. Ulrich Krühne
General description
The CAPEC/PROCESS center at the Dept. of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and the Center for Microbial Biotechnology (CMB) at the Dept. of Systems Biology work on development of MBRs for continuous cultivation of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) since 2006. CAPEC/PROCESS has broad experience with design, operation, modelling, on-line monitoring and control of reactors for biocatalysis, fermentation and pharmaceutical production at different scales (micro, lab-scale, pilot-scale).
Role
DTU will act as network coordinator and host for two ESRs. DTU will provide network-wide training activities, will arrange network meetings and participates in exchanges.
Key competences and facilities
CAPEC/PROCESS: Fabrication and operation of chemostat MBRs with S. cerevisiae + continuous MBRs for combined degradation and separation of complex organic molecules. Optimisation of MBR structure (topology optimisation); bioprocess modelling; model analysis: uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. Equipment to fabricate MBRs in PDMS and PMMA; access to CFD software (COMSOL, Fluent); experience with on-line sensors for traditional variables (pH, DO, optical density) as well as spectroscopy (NIR, Multi-wavelength fluorescence)
CMB: strong competences within fermentation technology, physiological characterisation and metabolic engineering of industrially relevant microbial systems. Will contribute knowledge about yeast metabolism and monitoring of fermentation processes. Has lab-scale facilities for fermentation studies and relevant analysis equipment (HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS and HPAEC-PAD etc). Has a systems approach technology platform for developing cell factories by targeted metabolic engineering is available as well, including omics techniques.