Development of a consolidated bioprocess for conversion of plant biomass to versatile chemical building blocks
Research Project, 2017
– 2020
This project aims to create novel bacterial strains for simultaneous degradation of plant biomass and production of versatile chemical building blocks – a so-called consolidated bioprocess. Most efforts in consolidated bioprocessing have focused on the model organisms E. coli and S. cerevisiae, but thus far major breakthroughs are lacking. Neither of these organisms is adapted to degrade the complex carbohydrates present in plant biomass, and as such their genomes require substantial ‘re-wiring’ to be of use in consolidated bioprocessing.
The focus in this project is instead bacteria with innate capabilities to decompose complex biomass and produce useful molecules. The bacteria will be modified through molecular biology to generate strains to convert both forestry- and agricultural waste streams.
Participants
Johan Larsbrink (contact)
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Cathleen Kmezik
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Nathan Porter
Chalmers, Life Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology
Collaborations
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Ås, Norway
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, USA
Funding
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Project ID: NNF17OC0027648
Funding Chalmers participation during 2018–2020
Swedish Research Council (VR)
Project ID: 2016-03931
Funding Chalmers participation during 2017–2020
ÅForsk
Project ID: 17-345
Funding Chalmers participation during 2017–2018
Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure
Sustainable development
Driving Forces