Technology Development & Discovery (TDD) Group

Goals

Research of the TDD group is focused on conception and development of technologies for the removal of bottlenecks typically encountered in biotechnological process development and bioproduct discovery. We generally seek to develop technologies up to the level of maturity required for their transfer to industry.

Methods

To develop our technologies, we apply interdisciplinary approaches which combine and take advantage of the strengths of microbiology, molecular biology, analytic chemistry, and BioIT supplemented by engineering skills.

Technology

Our current core project is the development of a high-throughput, high-content screening platform for colony analyses. Miniature reactors with a volume of a few nL (“nL-reactors”) are the main component of the platform. nL-Reactors are highly versatile carriers for controlled monoseptic proliferation of cells or microorganisms. Once colonies of a sufficient size for subsequent analysis have been formed, a large number of assays can be performed directly within their interior. Based on this technology, we developed various applications such as:

• Genotyping of libraries in nL-reactors by PCR
• Sequencing of shot-gun libraries in nL-reactors by the Sanger method
• Activity screenings in nL-reactors

Assays for quantification of secreted proteins and determination of specific production rates (g product / g biomass) are currently in development.

Other projects are design and discovery of novel microbial routes for synthesis of high value-added chemicals and bulk products.

Projects

Screening for better vitamin producers
SYNMOD
GFP-assam