Bioinformatics and integrative omics applied to metabolic pathways, genes and enzyme discovery Microbes are the most diversified and widespread kind of life on Earth and have evolved to survive in diverse habitats and in complex microbial communities. Metabolic functions of these organisms are fundamentally important, as they shape the environment, influence the host, and provide…
Microbiome, molecular mechanisms and sustainable technologies for agriculture In the agriculture system, microorganisms play different roles such as promoting plant growth, decomposing soil organic matter, and cycling nutrients. However, microbial activity in the soil is also responsible for greenhouse gases emissions and therefore global warming. In addition, intensive agriculture uses large amounts of agrochemicals and…
Biomass transformation into reactive intermediates Lignocellulosic biomass is a vast, inexpensive renewable resource that can be transformed into biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials. For a sustainable future, renewability is necessary, but not sufficient. Based on the principles of sustainable chemistry, biomass conversion pathways shall provide competitive advantages in social, environmental, and economic performances, taking full benefit…
LNBR believes that sustainable development can generate wealth and jobs in a world with less carbon that rationally uses natural resources. We explore the scientific frontier with advanced instrumentation to guide semi-industrial technology developments of societal relevance. Multi-disciplinary talents are at the core of our strategy. Besides embracing creativity, change and innovation, we value diversity and…
Bioprocess Development and Scale-up Focused on sustainability, LNBR has a unique and singular structure that seeks to elucidate fundamental mechanisms, at the atomic and molecular levels, associated with the design of microorganisms and enzymes and the control of these biological systems. In addition, it develops biochemical pathways, including process design, from bench to pilot plant…
Development and integration of physical, chemical and biological processes Focused on sustainability, LNBR has a unique structure that encompasses science from the atomic level with the rational design of microorganisms and biochemical routes, through all bench development, process design, pilot plant scaling-up, and techno-economic evaluation of biotechnological and biorenewable processes. The main characteristics of the…
Analytical methods to understand chemical intermediates and biomass building blocks This area is focused on the development, improvement, and application of physicochemical processes to obtain chemical intermediates and building blocks from the main constituent fractions of biomass. Our know-how allows us to make analysis and interpretation of results in relation to what is observed in…
The backbone of biotechnology for the production of bioactive compounds Bioprocesses is the backbone of biotechnology, a field that brings together microorganisms, enzymes and nutrients to produce bioactive compounds of industrial interest and can be easily linked to products of biorenewable sources. The stages involved are the preparation of raw materials, conversion, initial processing, production,…
Virtual Biorefinery platform to promote sustainability of biorenewables production The development of novel bio-based technologies is key to achieve a sustainable future. Considering that biorenewables can be produced using a wide variety of feedstocks with multiple combinations of industrial conversion pathways, it is important to fully understand their impacts before scaling-up new technologies in biorefineries.…
Ecosystem approach to ensure biorenewables sustainability and rational use of natural resources Agroecosystems are essential to produce food and fiber and, if well managed, they can also provide other important services and goods. LNBR assesses biorenewable production chains that can leverage the provision of ecosystem services from agroecosystems such as climate change mitigation, recycling and maintenance…
