Production of tailor-made biopolymers

Fig. 1: Systematic model-based way to improve bioprocesses.

This project focuses on the analysis and optimization of microbial production processes for the production of high-yield biopolymers with tailor-made properties. In the current research period, we have focused on the production of the biodegradable copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). A multiscale model was developed to describe the dynamics of process states (substrate and product concentrations), monomer composition, and chain length distribution for a fed-batch PHBV process using propionic acid in the feed. The metabolic model used in the multiscale approach was extended to include process inputs and states using a Gaussian process model. With the resulting hybrid model, open-loop optimizations were performed to increase yield and improve the monomer composition. In addition, simple and cost-effective measurement methods for quantifying product and substrate concentrations were investigated.

In the future, the above-mentioned developments will be used in a control approach to maximize the production of biopolymers with a specific monomer composition. Finally, we plan to use our systematic model-based approach to investigate and improve other microbial production processes, such as the microbial production of medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates and alginates.

Funding

Cooperation

  • ARB group
  • Prof. Ohl (OVGU)
  • Prof. Griehl (University of Applied Sciences Köthen)
  • Prof. Dürr (University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal)
  • Prof. Vande Wouwer (University Mons/Belgium),
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