Engineering the biological conversion of formate into crotonate in Cupriavidus necator.

To advance the sustainability of the biobased economy, our society needs to develop novel bioprocesses based on truly renewable resources. The C1-molecule formate is increasingly proposed as carbon and energy source for microbial fermentations, as it can be efficiently generated electrochemically from CO and renewable energy. Yet, its biotechnological conversion into value-added compounds has been limited to a handful of examples.

Optimizing as a formatotrophic platform for bioproduction the reductive glycine pathway.

Microbial C1 fixation has a vast potential to support a sustainable circular economy. Hence, several biotechnologically important microorganisms have been recently engineered for fixing C1 substrates. However, reports about C1-based bioproduction with these organisms are scarce.

Comprehensive clone screening and evaluation of fed-batch strategies in a microbioreactor and lab scale stirred tank bioreactor system: application on Pichia pastoris producing Rhizopus oryzae lipase.

Background: In Pichia pastoris bioprocess engineering, classic approaches for clone selection and bioprocess optimization at small/micro scale using the promoter of the alcohol oxidase 1 gene (PAOX1), induced by methanol, present low reproducibility leading to high time and resource consumption.

Results: An automated microfermentation platform (RoboLector) was successfully tested to overcome the chronic problems of clone selection and optimization of fed-batch strategies. Different clones from Mut+P.

Expression of recombinant staphylokinase in the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha.

Background: Currently, the two most commonly used fibrinolytic agents in thrombolytic therapy are recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and streptokinase (SK). Whereas SK has the advantage of substantially lower costs when compared to other agents, it is less effective than either rt-PA or related variants, has significant allergenic potential, lacks fibrin selectivity and causes transient hypotensive effects in high dosing schedules. Therefore, development of an alternative fibrinolytic agent having superior efficacy to SK, approaching that of rt-PA, together with a similar or enhanced safety profile and advantageous cost-benefit ratio, would be of substantial importance.

Monitoring and control of microbioreactors: an expert opinion on development needs.

This perspective article is based on an expert panel review on microbioreactor applications in biochemical and biomedical engineering that was organized by the M³C (measurement, monitoring, modelling and control) Working Group of the European Section of Biochemical Engineering Science (ESBES) in the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB). The aim of the panel was to provide an updated view on the present status of the subject and to identify critical needs and issues for furthering the successful development of microbioreactor monitoring and control. This will benefit future bioprocess development and in vitro toxicity testing.