Business from technology

Print Send link

Bio- and chemical processes

The research focuses on sustainable chemistry and sustainable processing as well as biotechnologies and ICT for health and well-being. The research covers the whole chain from molecular level research (discovery and production of enzymes, development of new microbial strains, development of chemical reaction routes, discovery of drug targets and biomarkers), analysis of the reaction mechanisms with advanced analytical methods as well as development of process applications at the laboratory and pilot scale. For drug discovery, advanced high content screening methods and high density array tools are available as well as RNA-based validation technologies. The analysis and modelling of high content biological data, such as those from metabolomics or gene expression experiments are integrated into a sophisticated bioinformatics platform; which enables elucidation of affected biological processes under different conditions or, for example, discovery of biomarkers associated with a specific disease condition. The use of ICT for health and wellbeing covers the following application areas: support of data-intensive care, e.g. during anaesthesia and intensive care, empowering the individual (patient) to manage his/her health (chronic) condition and enabling the elderly to cope with their environment and be more integrated with society.

Processing infrastructure is available for the production of chemicals and polymers. Fermentation and downstream facilities enable biotechnical production of enzymes and chemicals up to a scale of two cubic meters. Unique pilots, test rigs and modelling tools for research and development of fibre processes and papermaking unit processes are offered to industrial partners. A new flexible modular pilot coating line offers various possibilities for the development of functional coating, barrier and surface treatment materials.

The sustainability and competitiveness of customers are improved by the development of:

• Technologies for the production of new biomass derived biofuels, chemicals and polymers
  
• Discovery and production of biomass hydrolyzing and functionalizing enzymes
  
• Metabolically engineered microbes and plants for the production of bulk and high-value chemicals
  
• Processing solutions for the production of high quality health promoting foods
  
• Novel plant-derived value-added food ingredients and pharmaceuticals
  
• Use of raw materials, papermaking process concepts and unit operations for fibre-based products
  
• Functional, bio-based coating, printing and surface treatment solutions
  
• Analytical and computational tools for diagnostics and biomarker discovery
  
• Data integration and data mining platforms for data intensive bioinformatics and health applications
  
• High content screening methods for drug discovery
  
• Safety assessment of drugs and environmental chemicals
  
• Advanced data-intensive signal and image processing in healthcare
  
• eHealth, personal health systems and ambient assisted living solutions for health and well-being.
  

Future challenges:

• development of economically and technologically feasible concepts for biomass refining to value added products
  
• consumer needs for healthier food products with fewer additives
  
• ageing population and their needs
  
• trends in diagnostics and medical interventions for personalized medicine.