Advanced Butanol and Hexanol Production from CO2: Integrating Genetically Modified Clostridium strains in Bioelectrochem

Research Project, 2026 – 2028

Optimising syngas fermentation to butanol and hexanol in bioelectrochemical systems
Syngas is a synthetic gas mixture of CO and hydrogen (H2) and often CO2. It is a key product of high-temperature pyrolysis of carbon-rich materials including coal, biomass and waste, and of steam reforming of natural gas. Syngas fermentation can produce butanol and hexanol – valuable compounds used in many sectors – increasing the sustainability of chemical manufacturing. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Bioelectrochemistry project aims to increase the efficiency with which the bacterium Clostridium ljungdahlii ferments syngas. To do so, the team will leverage genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, improved fermentation conditions, and revolutionary bioelectrochemical systems that harness the metabolisms of microorganisms to avoid using precious metal catalysts.