FERMET: Intensification of bioprocess chains

The aim of this project is to develop cost-efficient bioprocesses. These processes are:
1) efficient production of wood degrading enzymes,
2) production of valuable end products from degraded wood biomass by fermentation and downstream processing,
3) lyophilization to enhance the stability of liquid biotechnology products.

Cost-efficient production can be achieved by analyzing the process efficiency for single steps and for the whole bioprocess. Expression constructs, production of enzymes in bioreactor, wood degradation, and wood hydrolysate fermentation and downstream prosessing are separately optimised to achieve series of cost-effective process steps. The improvement of energy efficiency will be the specified target.

The proposed project integrates optimisation strategies for strain construction, up-stream and downstream processing as well as development of process control strategies. The project aims for cost-efficient production and storage of novel biological material by utilizing methods and tools in the area of bioprocess efficiency. One focus area is the development of novel measurement and monitoring techniques for fermentation and lyophilization processes.

The project is done in collaboration with University of Oulu (Department of Process and Environmental Engineering), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (Photonic Devices and Measurement Solutions), University of Eastern Finland (School of Pharmacy), and Lappeenranta University of Technology, (Department of Chemical Technology, LUT's Centre for Separation Technology).

Researcher: M.Sc.(Eng.) Johanna Päkkilä, M.Sc.(Chem.) Paula Saavalainen

Advisors: Prof. Riitta L. Keiski