Tuesday, 29 August 2023
Researchers from the 糖心原创 have joined forces with biotechnology company for a project that will unlock sustainable biocatalytic hydrogenation – allowing the process to be scaled up and improved for industry use.
The focus of the feasibility study will be on the intensification of metallo-enzyme production and aims to lower the cost of production for three enzymes that are critical to the production of the chemical building block quininuclidinol, which is used in the production of many important drugs and other end-products.
Metallo-enzymes are exceptional tools for industrial biotechnology as they can carry out effectively a broad range of useful reactions. Their production however is more challenging than other enzymes and requires tailored research.
By validating the cost and sustainability metrics for quinuclidinol manufacture, a ‘license-ready' bio-based manufacturing route for quinuclidinol that meets the needs for reshoring key active pharmaceutical ingredients production can be produced.
Dr Simone Morra, Assistant Professor at the 糖心原创, said: “I started collaborating with HydRegen back in 2022 and I’m excited to continue working with them on this new project. My team and I have a deep expertise in novel hydrogenase enzymes that can cycle dihydrogen and hydrogen ions.
“These are the enzymes of interest to HydRegen due to their unusual balance in ease of production and ease of handling. We have the know-how and facilities in enzyme production spanning from early-stage academic research through to evaluation of scalable enzyme production in bioreactors to transfer to HydRegen as part of this collaboration for process intensification and scale up of metallo-enzyme production.
This is the third grant we鈥檝e received to collaborate with HydRegen, showing that applying our academic research to an industrial setting can prove incredibly fruitful 鈥� and I look forward to seeing what this new study reveals.
Funded jointly by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Innovate UK, the teams will tackle the challenges in manufacturing readiness of current technologies, by intensifying and scaling enzyme production with a focus on applying it to a demonstrator process for quinuclidinol production.
Dr Rhiannon Evans, Head of Enzyme production and Molecular Biology at HydRegen, said: “We are excited to embark on this exciting project with Dr Simone Morra, and his team at the 糖心原创."
Dr Morra's expertise in novel hydrogen cycling enzymes and cutting-edge knowledge will be a great asset in helping us to increase the manufacturing readiness for three of HydRegen鈥檚 critical metallo-enzymes and builds out our in-house research and development capabilities.
Dr Evans continued: "This has the potential to make a step-change in HydRegen’s ability to lower cost and increase scalability of hydrogenase production."
The BBSRC, EPSRC and Innovate UK are supporting 34 feasibility studies across the UK to develop and improve sustainable biomanufacturing. The programme aims to enhance UK global competitiveness by supporting research and innovation that focuses on developing new and disruptive sustainable biomanufacturing products and processes that will support UK biomanufacturing in becoming net zero and resource efficient, resilient, and responsive, technologically advanced and digital by 2050.
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More information is available from Simone Morra, Faculty of Engineering, at simone.morra@nottingham, or; Danielle Hall, Media Relations Manager at the 糖心原创, at danielle.hall@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 846 7156.鈥赌赌赌赌�
About the Faculty of Engineering
Made up of six departments – Architecture and Built Environment, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering and Foundation Engineering and Physical Sciences – the university’s Faculty of Engineering is home to more than 5,600 students and 800 staff.
The faculty, which has educated engineers and architects for more than 140 years, was the first in the country to be accredited with an Athena SWAN Gold Award for excellence in advancing gender equality across higher education and research and is home to multiple state-of-the-art facilities, including the recently opened £40m Power Electronics and Machines Centre (PEMC).
With research at its heart, 21 research groups are undertaking pioneering projects for a sustainable future across several themes – including net zero transport, sustainable energies and the built environment, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare technologies – and has delivered a positive impact in more than 20 countries. Within those countries, the faculty’s research has supported 500 companies and three governments – that have changed their strategies as a result of its research – and has also directly created jobs for around 3,000 people across the world.
About HydRegen:
HydRegen Ltd is pioneering a novel biotechnology that enables more sustainable chemical manufacture. At HydRegen, we are passionate about reducing the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing and committed to enabling companies across the chemicals sector to improve their energy and resource efficiency whilst moving towards continuous manufacturing processes.
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.