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Bioengineered yeast mass produces herbal medicine

A team of Kobe University bioengineers successfully produced artepillin C in bioengineered yeast, achieving ten times the previous yield. The production process involved carefully tuning key steps along the molecular production line, and further improvements are being explored to increase efficiency.

SourceKobe University·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·DateNov 12, 2024

Study combines woodchips and biochar to clean water of pharmaceuticals, nutrients

Researchers developed a system using woodchips and biochar to remove nitrogen, phosphorus, and pharmaceuticals from wastewater. The treatment-train approach showed significant removal of pollutants, with the biochar acting like activated carbon to efficiently remove pharmaceutical residues.

Nitrite-driven anaerobic ethane oxidation

A novel genus, Candidatus Alkanivoras nitrosoreducens, is described as potentially performing nitrite-driven anaerobic ethane oxidation. The study reveals a prospective fumarate addition pathway for anaerobic ethane oxidation and a complete denitrification pathway for nitrite reduction.

SourceEurasia Academic Publishing Group·JournalEnvironmental Science and Ecotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2024

Boosting PET recycling with higher standards for laboratory experiments

Researchers establish new standards for laboratory experiments to improve PET recycling efficiency. Four engineered enzymes were tested, with LCC-ICCG outperforming the others in terms of depolymerisation rate and enzyme requirement. The study aims to accelerate the development of industrial-scale solutions for PET waste management.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalACS Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2023

Research project seeks solutions for profitable algae production – great potential for climate change mitigation

A two-year research project aims to overcome technical difficulties in large-scale algae cultivation, a promising method for climate change mitigation. The ROBA project focuses on developing economically feasible algal cultivation processes using advanced measurement technologies and bioprocess engineering.

Membranes help multiply microbial CO2 munching

Researchers at KAUST developed conductive membranes that stimulate microbial growth and separate biochemical products, reducing the CO2 conversion time from over 30 days to just one month. The membranes use nickel nanoparticles to catalyze hydrogen production, enhancing efficiency and stability in microbial electrosynthesis systems.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 20, 2022

New solution for stem cell manufacturing

Researchers have developed a unique 3D printed system to harvest mesenchymal stem cells from bioreactors, which can be used for various treatments. The system combines microfluidics and 3D printing to process adult stem cells, potentially making stem cell therapies more widely available.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalBioresources and Bioprocessing·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 15, 2022

Loops for micro-organisms

A UFZ research team has developed a new method called 'mass transfer with a loop' to stabilize microbial communities in bioreactors. This approach prevents the loss of crucial microorganisms, which are essential for various biotechnological processes, by synchronizing their composition and functions.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2022

Membrane bioreactor performs better than the conventional activated sludge process in techno-economy

A study of 20 full-scale WWTPs found MBR performed better than CAS in terms of energy consumption and environmental benefits, with increased marginal environmental benefit and average net profit. The techno-economic feasibility of retrofitting from CAS to MBR is confirmed, especially under strict effluent standards.

SourceHigher Education Press·JournalFrontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering·TypeSystematic review·DateApr 25, 2022

Biotechnology could provide an environmentally more sustainable alternative to egg white protein production

Researchers at the University of Helsinki and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have developed a biotechnology-based solution to produce ovalbumin, a key protein in egg white powder. The fungus-produced ovalbumin reduces greenhouse gas emissions and land use by up to 72% compared to traditional chicken-based production.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Food·DateJan 7, 2022

Building better tools for biomanufacturing

A team of researchers has developed a Dynamic Sampling Platform to analyze cells in real-time, overcoming the time-consuming and expensive process of biomanufacturing. The platform provides insight into cell behavior and biochemical information needed for process control, potentially lowering the cost of cell therapies.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalLab on a Chip·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 2, 2021

Turbulence is good for the blood

A Kyoto University study reveals that turbulence enhances platelet generation in the blood, potentially resolving global shortages of these cells. The discovery could enable mass production of platelets using iPS cell technology.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell·DateJul 12, 2018

Digital penicillin production

Researchers at TU Wien have created a comprehensive mathematical model that accurately replicates the complex growth behavior of penicillin-producing organisms. This model is now helping Sandoz GmbH to optimize its production process, ensuring optimum quality by adjusting parameters such as nutrient supply in real-time.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalChemical Engineering Science·DateApr 10, 2018

Algae with light switch

Researchers discovered that Chlamydomonas algae can control its adhesion to surfaces using blue light, a phenomenon that could improve the efficiency of biofuels production. By understanding this mechanism, scientists hope to develop algae strains with modified photoreceptors that don't form biofilms on glass walls.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 29, 2017

Upstream trenches, downstream nitrogen

Researchers are using bioreactors to intercept nitrogen-rich drainage water from tile-drained fields, neutralizing the nutrient that causes problems for aquatic ecosystems. The trenches enhance a natural process, converting nitrogen into benign gas, and have shown promise in improving water quality.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateJul 13, 2016

Wetlands continue to reduce nitrates

Researchers found that wetlands created between tile-drained agricultural fields and rivers can remove 62% of nitrates from water. The slow flow of water through the wetland allows microbes to eliminate nitrate, reducing its emission as a greenhouse gas. Building a wetland is an effective long-term solution for reducing nitrate runoff.

MSU advances algae's viability as a biofuel

Michigan State University scientists develop a standardized algae growing platform that simulates dynamic natural environments to cultivate strains capable of producing oil in real-world settings. The ePBR system has inspired the launch of a spinoff company and shows promise for scalable algae biofuel production.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAlgal Research·DateFeb 26, 2014

Study on swirls to optimize contacts between fluids

A new study optimizes fluid mixing in bioreactors by controlling undercurrents to improve cell exposure. Researchers found that rotating inner cylinders and adjusting fluid velocities can create homogeneous feeding of cells from a liquid nutrient supply.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMar 21, 2012

Clean sampling from bioreactors

bbi-biotech offers a novel sampling system that extracts sterile samples from bioreactors without dead volume, ensuring representative and contamination-free samples. The bioPROBE MK1 system facilitates at-line analysis and real-time monitoring of process status, enabling immediate regulation and optimization.

Scientists' breakthrough in production of biofuels

A team of scientists from the University of Sheffield has created an air-lift loop bioreactor that consumes less than 18% more energy, making it a significant breakthrough in the production of alternative renewable fuels. The device is now being tested with various organizations to reduce energy consumption and costs.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalFood and Bioproducts Processing·DateJan 7, 2010