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Towards Microbial Syngas Fermentation in Sweden
We have established a small-scale syngas fermentation laboratory to study acetogens, and initial experiments were performed examining how model acetogenic strains can best tolerate varying amounts of ammonia in terms of growth and product output. This project will build upon this work.
Acetogens are bacteria that can autotrophically grow on CO, CO2 and H2, which are coincidentally components of synthesis gas (syngas), a waste by-product from heavy industrial processes. This phenomenon has gathered the attention of researchers and companies, to which acetogens have been commercially utilised to ferment industrial syngas into a range of platform chemicals and fuels not limited to; ethanol, acetate, lactate and 2,3-butandiol. Much study of acetogens has led to improved genome editing, process control and better understanding of their metabolism.
However not all syngas mixtures are produced equally, and depending on the source, syngas can have varied ratios of CO, CO2 and H2 that can impact fermentative efficiency and output. Moreover, crude syngas mixtures contain a variety of inhibitors, (e.g.: ammonia, benzene, ethylene, etc.), that can adversely affect bacterial fitness and product output.
We have established a small-scale syngas fermentation laboratory to study acetogens, and initial experiments were performed examining how model acetogenic strains can best tolerate varying amounts of ammonia in terms of growth and product output. This project will build upon this work and focus on applying other common syngas inhibitors to different acetogenic bacteria, with the aim of optimising and developing propagation techniques that will result in favourable product output titres.
The experimental work will be carried out using specialised equipment that can perform multiple small-scale anaerobic fermentations, as well as pressurised serum bottles with defined syngas compositions. Our current culture collection holds several industrially relevant strains of acetogens, which are handled in a state-of-the-art, fully anaerobic workstation. Product outputs will be measured using our range of analytical equipment.
Acetogens are bacteria that can autotrophically grow on CO, CO2 and H2, which are coincidentally components of synthesis gas (syngas), a waste by-product from heavy industrial processes. This phenomenon has gathered the attention of researchers and companies, to which acetogens have been commercially utilised to ferment industrial syngas into a range of platform chemicals and fuels not limited to; ethanol, acetate, lactate and 2,3-butandiol. Much study of acetogens has led to improved genome editing, process control and better understanding of their metabolism.
However not all syngas mixtures are produced equally, and depending on the source, syngas can have varied ratios of CO, CO2 and H2 that can impact fermentative efficiency and output. Moreover, crude syngas mixtures contain a variety of inhibitors, (e.g.: ammonia, benzene, ethylene, etc.), that can adversely affect bacterial fitness and product output.
We have established a small-scale syngas fermentation laboratory to study acetogens, and initial experiments were performed examining how model acetogenic strains can best tolerate varying amounts of ammonia in terms of growth and product output. This project will build upon this work and focus on applying other common syngas inhibitors to different acetogenic bacteria, with the aim of optimising and developing propagation techniques that will result in favourable product output titres.
The experimental work will be carried out using specialised equipment that can perform multiple small-scale anaerobic fermentations, as well as pressurised serum bottles with defined syngas compositions. Our current culture collection holds several industrially relevant strains of acetogens, which are handled in a state-of-the-art, fully anaerobic workstation. Product outputs will be measured using our range of analytical equipment.
The goal of this research is to assess the fermentability of synthesis gas from real world industrial processes. We aim to show that microbial syngas fermentation is an alternative approach to sustainable chemical and fuel production in Sweden.
Some of the skills you will master:
- Usage of specialised anaerobic equipment.
- Anaerobic microbiology techniques (cultivation, propagation, analysis).
- Analytical instrument usage.
- Experimental design.
The goal of this research is to assess the fermentability of synthesis gas from real world industrial processes. We aim to show that microbial syngas fermentation is an alternative approach to sustainable chemical and fuel production in Sweden.
Applicants are expected to have an academic background in microbiology or biotechnology, and a strong interest in either bioenergy, metabolic engineering, and if possible, anaerobic cultivation. Experience in these areas is preferred but not necessary.
For further questions, please email: Dr. Pawel Piatek; piatek@chalmers.se
Applicants are expected to have an academic background in microbiology or biotechnology, and a strong interest in either bioenergy, metabolic engineering, and if possible, anaerobic cultivation. Experience in these areas is preferred but not necessary.
For further questions, please email: Dr. Pawel Piatek; piatek@chalmers.se
Each year the IDEA League offers the students of its partner universities over 180 monthly grants for a short-term research exchange. In general, these grants are awarded based on academic merit. For more information visit http://idealeague.org/student-grant/