Research

RESEARCH THEMES

Biomanufacturing has the potential to be disruptive across multiple sectors.
Fast growth areas identified for Future BRH research focus are:

Future BRH - Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub - Key Sector - Pharmaceuticals

PHARMACEUTICALS

Small Molecule APIs

‘New Modalities’

(e.g. protein-nucleic acid-small molecule conjugates)

Adjuvants

Nutraceuticals

Future BRH - Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub - Key Sector - Value-Added Chemicals

VALUE-ADDED CHEMICALS

Fragrances

Flavours

Additives

Agrichemicals

Personal Care Ingredients

Dense Energy Carriers (DECs) from waste streams

Future BRH - Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub - Key Sector - Engineering Materials

ENGINEERING MATERIALS

Bio-derived Monomers (for sustainable polymers)

Bio-polymerisation (replacement of precious / toxic metal catalysis)

‘Smart’ Bio-functional Materials

Modification of lower value materials to improve performance and deliver new functionality

Future BRH - Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub - Key Sector - Advanced Biofuels

ADVANCED SYNTHETIC FUELS

Fuels and energy dense carriers

Fuels from waste and carbon dioxide

Zero carbon production

Carbon dioxide capture / climate change mitigation

Addressed through two complementary Grand Challenge (GC) themes that feature a portfolio of industry-interfaced research projects, supported by a programme of Platform Research to develop new tools and technology co-created with Hub, Spoke and industry partners.

GRAND CHALLENGE THEMES

GRAND CHALLENGE 1: AUTOMATED AND INTEGRATED BIOCATALYST ENGINEERING FOR BIOMANUFACTURING

The potential impact of industrial biotechnology on many industrial processes is currently limited by the rate of protein engineering. It simply takes too long to optimise enzymes for their widespread use in manufacturing supply chains. The goal of this Grand Challenge is to engineer biocatalysts up to an order of magnitude faster than the current industrial timeframe.

GRAND CHALLENGE 2: REALISING THE VALUE OF INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY AT SCALE

This theme is changing the economic reality of scaling-up bio-based processes by addressing the entire manufacturing lifecycle, considering aspects such as process intensification, continuous manufacturing, and whole-process modelling. Linking to Grand Challenge 1, the availability of rapidly optimised biocatalysts in sufficient scale is addressed by working closely with the enzyme supply chain.

PLATFORM RESEARCH THEMES

Future BRH - Platform Research Themes - HTP Biocatalyst Engineering

HTP BIOCATALYST ENGINEERING


Automated workflows for library generation, enzyme screening, DNA sequencing and data analysis for enzyme engineering

Future BRH - Platform Research Themes - HTP Analytical Screening

HTP ANALYTICAL SCREENING


Innovative technologies based on HTP MS that enable accelerated screening of engineered proteins/biocatalysts and industrial strains

Future BRH - Platform Research Themes - Continuous Flow Biocatalysis

CONTINUOUS FLOW BIOCATALYSIS


Platform for continuous manufacture of speciality chemicals using engineered biocatalysts in plug-and-play packed bed reactors

Future BRH - Platform Research Themes - Industrial Host Strain Engineering

INDUSTRIAL HOST STRAIN ENGINEERING


Enabling tools for predictive and rapid strain engineering for industrial hosts

Future BRH - Platform Research Themes - Integrated Processes For Large Scale Manufacture

SCALED BATCH AND FLOW FERMENTATION


Integrated continuous fermentation and DSP platforms with real-time monitoring and control for larger scale chemicals manufacture

FUTURE BRH - CASE STUDIES

Learn more about some of the projects involving Future BRH and Industry partners