PhD Studentship: Carbon capture and utilisation to replace sugar-based fermentations in the biotechnology industry

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Engineering
Location:  UK Other
Closing Date:  Saturday 10 February 2024
Reference:  ENG1741

Start date February 2024, home students only

Industrial biotechnology relies on agriculture to provide the input energy in the form of sugars for bacterial fermentations. Sugars are the carbon source and the energy source in these traditional setups. However, certain bacterial species are able to utilise carbon dioxide as their carbon source while relying on hydrogen gas as their energy source; these species are Hydrogen Oxidising Bacteria (HOB). The biochemical route exercised in HOB is the most efficient form of biological carbon fixation including photosynthetic algae. 

Several companies are attempting to commercialise the use of HOB to make Single Cell Protein (SCP), which is sold as a proteinaceous feed ingredient. As a feed ingredient SCP has major environmental advantages over traditional feed proteins: it has a lower overall carbon footprint in addition to a dramatically lower land and water use. However, for full uptake of the technology commercially the product must have sufficiently high value to compensate for the input costs and relatively high capital costs of a commercial plant. Adoption of this technology benefits from the ramp up in interest and scaling of the hydrogen economy. 

This proposed PhD project aims to revolutionize current fermentation practices by replacing traditional sugar-based fermentations with a novel approach centred on carbon capture and utilization. Leveraging the unique metabolic capabilities of HOB, the project will focus on process design and fermentation optimization to achieve sustainable and efficient bioproduction systems. Integrating the CO2-utilizing fermentation process into existing industrial setups, and addressing challenges related to process scalability, stability, this PhD project aspires to shape the future of fermentation processes. The integration of cutting-edge biological and engineering principles will pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient approach to bioproduction, with far-reaching implications for various industries.

Funding notes:   The project will be part of the EPSRC-supported Centre for Doctoral Training in Resilient Decarbonised Fuel Energy Systems. The student who undertakes it will be one of a cohort of over 50 students in a broad range of disciplines across the Universities of Sheffield, Nottingham and Cardiff. In addition to the standard EPSRC stipend and payment of UK fees, there will be a stipend enhancement of £3750 per annum for 4 years, with £6000 per annum of funding for research costs and travel.
Please apply to the  University of Nottingham .
Informal enquiries may be sent to Dr Ying Zhang ([email protected]). Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.