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

ÅForsk

Project ID: 17-345
Funding Chalmers participation during 2017–2018

Swedish Research Council (VR)

Project ID: 2016-03931
Funding Chalmers participation during 2017–2020

Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure

Sustainable development

Driving Forces

Publications

More information

Latest update

4/9/2019 1