The use of protein surfactants as formulation ingredients
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Bacteria are single celled organisms that live in social communities called biofilms. Over the millennia bacteria have evolved sophisticated strategies to introduce three-dimensionality to the biofilm. The architecturally complex structure is generated biologically using a combination of proteins and large sugar molecules that function in the environment outside the cell. One protein that is needed for biofilm formation by a bacterium called Bacillus subtilis is BslA. This protein can self-assemble into an elastic film and forms a hydrophobic "raincoat" over the cells in the biofilm protecting them from external insults. In this application we will exploit nature by using the inherent self-assembly and hydrophobic properties of BslA within a wide range of applications of high industrial significance.
Publications
Arnaouteli S
(2017)
Bifunctionality of a biofilm matrix protein controlled by redox state.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Bromley KM
(2017)
BslA-stabilized emulsion droplets with designed microstructure.
in Interface focus
Earl C
(2020)
The majority of the matrix protein TapA is dispensable for Bacillus subtilis colony biofilm architecture.
in Molecular microbiology
Erskine E
(2018)
Formation of functional, non-amyloidogenic fibres by recombinant Bacillus subtilis TasA.
in Molecular microbiology
Stanley-Wall NR
(2015)
Connecting the dots between bacterial biofilms and ice cream.
in Physical biology
Špacapan M
(2020)
The ComX Quorum Sensing Peptide of Bacillus subtilis Affects Biofilm Formation Negatively and Sporulation Positively.
in Microorganisms
| Description | We successfully undertook a series of proof-of-principle experiments to determine the usefulness of a bacterial protein in the stabilisation of multiphase formulations. These data formed the basis for a patent application that has now been granted in the EU and the US. These data were also used to transfer our technology to a large multinational company, who is taking it forward into the fast moving consumer goods sector. The technology will be incorporated into products worth an estimated £32M per annum. |
| Exploitation Route | This protein has potential for the stabilisation of multiphase emulsions of relevance to the food and personal care sectors. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | Our findings have been taken up by a large multinational company in the fast moving consumer goods sector, who are undertaking scale-up production. The technology will be incorporated into household products worth an estimated £32M per annum. A patent was filed in 2014 that has now been granted in the EU and the US. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | BBSRC IAA |
| Amount | £19,981 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 08/2019 |
| Description | Innovation Knowledge Centre |
| Amount | £12,801,513 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R012415/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2017 |
| End | 11/2022 |
| Description | Research collaboration |
| Organisation | University of Dundee |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The research was multidisciplinary, at the interface between microbiology and soft matter physics. We contribute the soft matter physics/ formulation expertise. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The University of Dundee provide molecular microbiology insight and materials to the project. |
| Impact | This collaboration is multidisciplinary, at the interface between molecular microbiology and biological/ soft matter physics. The outputs/ outcomes are reported under the relevant grants. |
| Start Year | 2012 |
| Title | SYNTHETIC MULTIPHASE SYSTEMS |
| Description | A synthetic multiphase product comprising BsIA is presented. Methods of producing a synthetic multiphase product comprising BsIA, and applications of BsIA in synthetic multiphase products are also presented. |
| IP Reference | WO2016027078 |
| Protection | Patent application published |
| Year Protection Granted | 2016 |
| Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
| Impact | N/A |
| Title | Synthetic Multiphase Systems |
| Description | A synthetic multiphase product including an isolated biofilm surface layer protein A (BsIA), wherein the BsIA has the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 28 or a variant thereof that is at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 28. |
| IP Reference | US2020207813 |
| Protection | Patent granted |
| Year Protection Granted | 2020 |
| Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
| Impact | In progress |