Description du projet
Des usines de cellules microbiennes pour produits fluorés
Les matériaux contenant du fluor sont extrêmement importants dans notre monde moderne, avec des applications dans des secteurs comme l’électronique, la santé, l’automobile et les appareils portables. Ces produits fluorochimiques sont actuellement exclusivement synthétisés à l’aide de méthodes chimiques sévères. Le projet SinFonia, financé par l’UE, vise à développer une alternative plus durable en produisant la bactérie robuste «Pseudomonas putida» de manière à ce qu’elle devienne une usine de cellules qui fabrique des monomères et des polymères fluorés. Le projet concevra des produits fluorochimiques dans ces bactéries grâce à l’ingénierie métabolique, contournant les réactions chimiques traditionnelles utilisées dans l’industrie. Les composés cibles sont toute une famille de polyesters fluorés aux propriétés physico-chimiques et matérielles améliorées pour une utilisation dans les surfaces autonettoyantes, les revêtements à faible énergie de surface, les lubrifiants biosourcés, les membranes de piles à combustible et les matériaux anti-encrassement.
Objectif
Nature has hardly evolved biochemical reactions involving fluorine (F), the most abundant halogen on Earth. Organic compounds containing F (fluorochemicals) are, however, extremely relevant from an industrial point of view. Fluoropolymers are the main fluorochemicals in the market worldwide, and are exclusively synthesized using chemical methods. Moreover, current fluorination technologies usually involve corrosive and toxic reagents that have a negative impact on the environment. Designing sustainable bioprocesses based on alternative and safer fluorinating agents from renewable substrates is thus a long-sought-after, yet unfulfilled goal. SinFonia proposes to engineer the metabolically-versatile bacterium Pseudomonas putida to execute biofluorinations for generating novel fluoropolymers from renewable substrates. P. putida KT2440, a non-pathogenic soil bacterium, serves as an ideal microbial platform for F-dependent biochemical reactions due to its extraordinary resistance to harsh and stressful operating conditions. SinFonia will exploit natural selection to enhance bioproduction through a smart strain engineering approach in which bacterial growth will be coupled to biofluorination. Our target compounds are a whole family of fluorinated polyesters with enhanced physicochemical and material properties, with uses as self-cleaning surfaces, low-surface-energy coatings, bio-based lubricants, membranes for fuel cells, and anti-fouling materials. The versatile P. putida strains engineered during the project can be easily adapted to synthesize other added-value fluorochemicals. Unlike chemical processes, the source of F in our system will be NaF, an inexpensive and safe salt, and sugars as the main carbon source. In-depth analysis of all the environmental and economic benefits of the new fluorination technology, and interactive communication of social benefits associated with target products, are essential components of SinFonia.
Champ scientifique
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringtribologylubrication
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriology
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryhalogens
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfuel cells
Programme(s)
Thème(s)
Régime de financement
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinateur
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Danemark