AVT - Biochemical Engineering | RWTH Aachen

Prof. Dr. Jørgen Magnus

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Research topics and profile (related to bioeconomy)

The great potential of microbial production systems often remains undiscovered, because the best-performing strain is not identified in the initial screening stages. Another issue in the commercialization of promising microbial processes are challenges in the scale-up from small, mostly shaken reactors to large, stirred bioreactors. The aim of AVT.BioVT's research activities is therefore to develop new online measurement techniques and apparatus for efficient bioprocess development in biotechnological high-value production. With our methods and apparatus, we investigate all scales, from the smallest microtiter plate up to the bioreactor, in cooperation with industry and other chairs (engineering sciences, biology, chemistry, etc.).

Our key research topics include:

• Development of online measurement technologies for screening and small culture systems with regard to microbial cultivations and animal cell culture.
• Bioprocess development at all (bioreactor) scales
• Aerobic fermentation technology and anaerobic (syn-)gas fermentations

Contributions to BioSC

The Chair of Biochemical Engineering (AVT.BioVT) provides innovative online measurement techniques to analyze and optimize biochemical processes, and to support process development in the scale-up. Furthermore, the comprehensive experience in the microbial utilization of renewable raw materials is contributed to the BioSC.

• FS2: Microbial and molecular transformation
  - High-throughput screening by online measurement in biocatalytic processes

• FS3: Chemical engineering of renewable resources
  - Process engineering for the microbial utilisation of renewable raw materials in all bioreactor scales
  - Integration of biocatalytic processes (e.g. hydrolysis and fermentation)
  - Realisation of fed-batch and continuous processes in all bioreactor scales

• QT1: Systems Engineering
  - Modelling of biocatalytic processes