- Design and optimization of bioprocesses and biocatalytic systems: this activity involves the design of biological processes and systems that use enzymes and other biological catalysts to produce chemicals from a variety of raw materials. Optimization of these processes is essential to maximize the space-time-yield and to minimize costs.
- Machine learning and artificial intelligence: these tools are increasingly being used in bioprocess engineering to model and optimize biological processes. They can help predict the behavior of biological systems and identify the best operating conditions.
- Intra- and extracellular products; preparatory purification: cells produce products that are either released into the medium (extracellular) or accumulated inside the cells (intracellular). The purification of both product types is a crucial step in ensuring their quality and reduction of costs.
- Automated control strategies for USP and DSP processes: intelligent automation is increasingly being used in bioprocess engineering to control and optimize processes. This includes upstream processes (USP) that involve cell culture, and downstream processes (DSP) that involve product recovery and purification.
- Development and production of microbial cell lines: cells are the foundation of all bioprocesses. The development and production of these cell lines require expertise in cell biology, microbiology, and molecular biology.
- Biomolecule derivatization: this activity involves the chemical modification of biomolecules to improve their properties or functionality. This may include the modification of proteins to improve their stability or activity, or the modification of smaller molecules to improve their solubility or bioavailability.
Advanced bioprocess engineering is a constantly evolving field that combines biology, chemistry, engineering and computer science to develop new technologies and products. All the activities mentioned are carried out in the BioSusChem research group having the following professors as principal invstigators: