The Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research (ZIWR)

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ZIWR Vision

To be a leading international multidisciplinary institute studying water in the anthropogenic and natural spheres,

and a national center of expertise and training on water issues.

In its research and education activities the ZIWR will identify current and emerging fundamental

and applied challenges in water-related developments,

rehabilitation and stewardship.

Announcements

11/09/2019

Special Seminar 11/9/19: An industrial perspective on the fouling and cleaning challenge in the food and biotech industry" Frank Lipnizki Department of Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Sweden

ZIWR Special Seminar
Wednesday, September 11th, 2019 at 13:15
Seminar room, ZIWR Building

“An industrial perspective on the fouling and cleaning challenge in the food and biotech industry"
Frank Lipnizki
Department of Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Sweden

Abstract
When applying membrane processes on industrial scale in the food and biotech industry both the fouling and the subsequent cleaning of the membranes are key but often underestimated factors. This presentation will focus on the impact of pre-treatment, operation conditions and module design on fouling and cleaning.
After reviewing the current state-of-the-art of membrane fouling and cleaning in the food and biotech industry, the presentation will focus on an application study related to a membrane unit integrated in the purification of starch-based sweeteners such as glucose after liquification and saccharification. Conventionally, retrograded starch, proteins and fats are removed in this purification step which is often referred to as “demudding" by using a rotary vacuum filter supported by filter aids such as kieselguhr or perlite. Alternatively, a membrane-based hybrid process consisting of a decanter combined with an ultrafiltration unit has been developed. The focus of this study will be on the control and optimisation of the fouling and cleaning of the ultrafiltration membrane unit to achieve a stable and sustainable membrane performance.
Overall, the goal of this presentation is to demonstrate how appropriate measures can reduce the impact of fouling and cleaning on membrane processes and thus improve their long-term sustainability in the food and biotech industry.
12/06/2019

Weekly Seminar June 19th: OBIAL OMICS - FEEDSTOCKS FOR BIOENGINEERING NOVEL ENZYMES/ Paula Istvan

ZIWR Weekly Seminar
Wednesday, June 19th, 2019 at 13:15
Seminar room, Old Administration Building

MICROBIAL OMICS - FEEDSTOCKS FOR BIOENGINEERING NOVEL ENZYMES
Paula Istvan

The wide range of applications and the increasing demand for recombinant proteins, both biopharmaceutical and industrial enzymes, are leading to significant growth of this market. Since the publication of the full human genome in 2003, genetic research has reached a new stage in which identifying macromolecules is no longer a limitation. The new frontier is to understand and determine the role of each gene within the context of the whole, which is much more challenging. Researchers are now focused on understanding gene production and influence on biological functions using metadata technologies. These technologies (“omics technologies") are more efficient than classical biological processes, producing large-scale data through bioinformatics, computer modeling and machine learning. Instead of individually analyzing specific functions and/or biochemical reactions, omics technologies allow for analysis of the completeness of biological systems and advances in the understanding of molecular function. In turn, this enables identification of molecular targets for the rational design of drugs, bioremediation of environmental contaminants, crop genetic improvements, and studying biodiversity.
One of these technologies is the metagenomic technique, which allows accessing the microorganisms through independent cultivation, assisting in the identification of new genes and biocatalysts of interest. Through this technique, it is possible to identify uncultured microorganisms and study new genes using environmental samples. In my work, I used the Brazilian Cerrado soil as a sample for such a study. The Cerrado soil is a habitat with high diversity of microorganisms and thus can be a source for the prospection of industrial enzymes. From a library of 6720 clones, three lipolytic enzymes were isolated. The characterization process included: cloning and sequencing of the genes and coding sequences (CDSs), heterologous expression in E. coli and in Komagataella pastoris, purification and functional characterization of recombinant enzymes, enzymatic essays and biophysical characterization modelling, structural studies, and production in fermenters. The information that can be accessed with a metagenomic approach can be used in biological and technological research as well as for integration into process bioengineering for real applications.

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