SEED FUND 3.0 - Project CaseIm

Functionalized casein microparticles and fibres as immobilization carriers for biotechnology and biomedicine

Summary

Casein-based microparticles (CMPs) and fibers are gaining increasing importance as sustainable, biodegradable carrier materials for active ingredients in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this project, we are pursuing a novel approach in which we incorporate recombinant fusion proteins to obtain novel, functionalized biopolymers as protein immobilates for future biotechnological and biomedical applications. The CaseIm project therefore aims to develop a technology platform that enables (i) bacterial production of any functionalized casein-based fusion proteins (POI) (WP1) and (ii) its incorporation into casein micelles and further conversion into stable, structured CMPs and fibers (WP2). The functionality of the casein materials, as well as their stability, swelling, and decay behavior, will be investigated with different target proteins. In addition to individual enzymes, multiple enzymes will also be co-immobilized to generate enzyme cascades. The modular design will enable the targeted functionalization of CMPs and fibers. The platform exploits the special properties of casein including its stability and macroporosity, denoting promising applicability to biocatalytic processes. Effects of possible limitation of mass transfer are of great interest to build and optimize enzymatic reaction systems. The energy-saving production of the materials under gentle conditions yields a biogenic, biodegradable enzyme carrier system with a wide range of potential applications—e.g., as loaded enzyme carriers for biocatalysis and the recycling/upcycling of plastics, or as novel hydrogels for medical applications. The high stability of the casein protein also suggests that CMPs can be reused in cyclic processes, thereby contributing to a sustainable bioeconomy.

SEED FUND 3.0 Project Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Ronald Gebhardt
AVT - Soft Matter Process Engineering
RWTH Aachen
email: ronald.gebhardt[at]avt.rwth-aachen.de

Partners

Prof. Dr. Ronald Gebhardt, AVT - Soft Matter Process Engineering (Avt - SMP), RWTH Aachen
apl. Prof. Dr. Thomas Drepper, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Krauss, Molecular Enzyme Technology (IMET), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

Funding period

01.01.2026 - 31.12.2026

Funding

CaseIm is part of the NRW-Strategieprojekt BioSC and thus funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia.