Tailored biopolymer production from waste streams: low-cost value added bioprocessing
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Sch of Biosciences
Abstract
The production of biodegradable plastics such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from sustainable feedstocks is becoming increasingly relevant as crude oil supplies are depleting and synthetic plastic pollution is increasing. However, in order to render the production of PHAs environmentally viable methods must be developed to reduce its brittleness and replace the use of organic and halogenated solvents. The current project aims to improve the properties of biologically produced PHA using a combination of genetic and metabolic engineering. In addition, the project aims to conduct research into the utilisation and optimisation of waste glycerol from the biodiesel industry as a cost effective feedstock. A third aspect of the project will investigate safer and more cost effective alternatives to conventional PHA extraction which utilities solvents such as chloroform.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M01116X/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
1790992 | Studentship | BB/M01116X/1 | 02/10/2016 | 26/08/2021 | John Rolley |
Title | Time Course Flow Cytometry Code |
Description | Using the coding that I learnt during the Computer Programming taught module, I have produced a script in R Studio which allows for the rapid data analysis of flow cytometry data when samples are run for a continuous period. |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This development has reduced the time to analyse millions of data points from 2-3 days using Microsoft Excel to just a few seconds in R Studio. Currently this has not impacted my research although we are exploring possibilities for it to be used. This development has impacted the studies of a fellow PhD student who works with Colgate by greatly reducing data analysis and eliminating the need for high levels of computer memory needed to prevent Microsoft Excel from crashing. |