Design and construction of stable anaerobic microbial consortia for next generation green bioprocesses

Microbial technologies constitute a huge and unique potential for confronting major biosphere challenges. Although technologies based on microorganisms have a huge potential for the green transition we are still far from developing controlled use of microbiomes for biotechnological processes. Microorganisms have a structured and well-developed lifestyle, following rules of collaboration as well as competition for their survival. In the BIODESIGN I will use genetic information for developing novel techniques for isolation and cultivation of not-yet cultivable microorganisms, exploit microbial synergies and create environments for protecting microbial consortia for efficient mixed culture fermentation. The goal of BIODESIGN is to establish a groundbreaking platform for exploiting microbiomes and ensuring their stability within bioreactor systems for targeted bioengineering applications. The project will set the basis for the next generation biotechnologies for upcycling waste to products.