Research
Yeast Physiology and Biotechnology
Dr. Andreas Karoly Gombert
Yeasts are versatile microorganisms, which have been employed by humankind for centuries in the production of food, beverage, biofuels, and more recently pharmaceuticals, heterologous proteins, and building blocks for the chemical industry. Our research aims at: 1) investigating the quantitative physiology of different yeast species (e.g. from the genera Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, and Yarrowia), which leads to fundamental knowledge on metabolic aspects of these organisms; 2) designing and applying different metabolic and evolutionary engineering strategies, in order to improve microbial performance.
Bioprocesses development and Downstream Processing
Dr. Marcus Bruno Soares Forte
In this research line, we develop and optimize the production and purification of biomolecules obtained by fermentative or enzymatic route. It includes the use of agro-industrial residues (lignocellulosic biomass among others) for the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and to obtain high value-added bioproducts for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry (xylitol, arabitol, organic acids, etc). We employ biochemical reactors in pretreatment, fermentation, and homogeneous/heterogeneous biocatalysis (free/immobilized enzymes). Separation and purification (downstream processing) of biotechnological products is achieved using various methods. Analysis and optimization of bioprocesses is carried out using experimental (factorial) design and response surface methodology.
Heterologous Enzyme Expression for SSF (Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation)
Dr. Rosana Goldbeck
The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into renewable biofuel, such as bioethanol, is currently a fast growing technology aimed at reducing the dependence on fossil fuels through the increased production of world fuel ethanol. However, in order for this process to be economically viable, it is necessary to improve the technology in many different steps in the production of ethanol from sugarcane bagasse. Three areas of improvement have been highlighted: firstly, the optimization of pre-treatment of biomass; secondly, reducing the cost of enzymes that are used for enzymatic hydrolysis; and thirdly genetic improvement of the micro-organism.
Our aim is to realise the heterologous expression of the cellulases in S. cerevisiae targeting the 2G ethanol process through simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of sugarcane bagasse and thus reduce the production cost and make 2G bioethanol more economically competitive.
Second Generation Fuel Ethanol
Prof. Francisco Maugeri Filho
Cellulosic residues are an important source of fermentable compounds, which can be transformed by microorganisms in commercial products, for instance fuel ethanol. In this research line we study the production of ethanol from cellulose and hemicellulose fractions of sugarcane bagasse, using wild and genetically modified microorganisms.