A palette of nanocellulose- and nanochitin -based material grades and cross-linkers were developed as wet-stable and biocompatible matrix building blocks. Thermoresponsive MIP nanogels for specific recognition and capturing of targeted photosynthetic cells were successfully synthesized and shown to bind specifically to targeted cell surface epitopes, and cell capturing onto CNF surfaces using MIPs was successfully demonstrated, showing promise for active immobilization of cells via directed self-assembly.
Natural and recombinant photoautotrophic and heterotrophic production strains were selected and optimized to efficiently produce chemicals in relevant reference systems, i.e. in suspension and immobilized in alginate. The production systems encompass a “substrate-in” approach for APIs, “substrate-in-product-out” approach for production of ε-caprolactone via whole-cell biotransformation, and “product-out” approaches for both soluble natural cosmetics and sucrose, and volatile hydrogen and ethylene. Heterotrophic microorganisms were also engineered for potential co-culturing approaches.
Tailored matrix layers were fabricated from the matrix building blocks with optimized wet strength, light distribution, and porosity for the different production systems. Wet-stable nanocellulosic hydrogels were identified as the most suitable matrices for volatile chemical production, whereas porous and wet-stable nanocellulose and nanochitin cryogels were developed for nonvolatile systems requiring higher mass transfer. Finally, the biocatalytical solid-state photosynthetic cell factory architecture was up-scaled in a photobiofilm-reactor for prolonged chemical production. In the final TRL 3 proof-of-concept, continuous production of volatile chemicals was demonstrated with nearly 300-fold increase in volumetric productivity compared to suspended cells.
The outcomes of the project were published in 14 peer reviewed articles, with additional 20 manuscripts under preparation. The results were disseminated in 54 conference talks and 21 poster presentations. The project also resulted in 1 PhD thesis, with 6 PhD works under way, 4 Master’s theses, and 1 Bachelor’s thesis. Additionally, FuturoLEAF teamed up with scientific journalist and professional screenwriter Nina Pulkkis form Photino Science Communication to produce promotional video material for the project. Market analysis suggested that production of high-value compounds with reproducible conditions and low batch variation is the primary market for the SSPCF production platform. Moreover, few relevant patents were found in the IPR analysis, ensuring freedom-to-operate for the continued development of the FuturoLEAF technologies.
