Next-generation microbial platforms to boost biomass conversion into value-added products and fuels

The design and development of robust and efficient microbial cell factories is the main core components of lignocellulose-based biorefineries. Microbial metabolism can be redesigned and rewired, creating efficient platforms to convert biomass-derived sugars into high added-value chemicals and biofuels, replacing petrochemical derivatives. Besides the discovery and elucidation novel metabolic pathways, engineering microbial tolerance to face challenges in industrial processes is fundamentally essential to achieve industrial relevant targets.

LNBR integrates interdisciplinary approaches to engineer the next-generation of microbial platforms, interfacing the design of genome-scale metabolic models, synthetic biology, genetic and evolutionary engineering methods, system biology and multi-omics approaches. Exploring novel metabolic routes allows the rational redesign of microbial physiology and the development of high-performance strains, expanding the portfolio of products that can be biologically obtained. Additionally, the connection with the LNBR’s Pilot Plant allows the scale-up of the biological platforms and the development of a production process on an industrially relevant scale.