Many antibiotic producing strains are Streptomyces (e.g. Saccharopolyspora erythraea: erythromycins) or filamentous fungi (e.g Penicillium chrysogenum: penicillins). Those filamentous microorganisms are able to develop various morphologies in submerged cultivation ranging from aggregated (pellets) to freely dispersed biomass (mycelium). Morphology favored for product formation often depends on the microbial strain, operation of the bioprocess as well as the product of interest itself.

The DECHEMA Research Institute, W42 Industrial Biotechnology and Surflay Nanotec are working on the development of a microparticle enhanced bioprocess for the production of antibiotics with filamentous microorganisms. The morphology of filamentous microorganisms and production rates are influenced by addition of microparticles to the culture broth. The project aims to use the particle effect to increase sustainability compared to conventional antibiotic producing bioprocesses without particles.

Surflay Nanotech uses Layer by Layer technology to cover the particle surface with a thin layer of functionalized polymers. Those modified particles with known properties are used to examine which particle properties are necessary to affect morphology and production rates. Cultivations are carried out in small and large scales for comparison with conventional cultivation processes and analysis of eco-efficiency.


Project Operation:

DECHEMA-Forschungsinstitut (DFI)
Stiftung bürgerlichen Rechts
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25
60486 Frankfurt am Main
Prof. Dr. Jens Schrader
Email: schrader@dechema.de

W42 Industrial Biotechnology GmbH
im BMZ Dortmund
Otto-Hahn-Straße 15
D-44227 Dortmund
Dr. Ansgar Stratmann
Email: a.stratmann@w42biotechnology.de

Surflay Nanotec GmbH (Surflay)
Max-Planck-Str. 3
(im Technologiepark Adlershof)
12489 Berlin
PD Dr. habil. Lars Dähne
Email: l.daehne@surflay.com

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