The Fermentation Based Biomanufacturing Initiative

FBM Symposium 2024 – Registration Open! We are excited to announce that registration for the FBM Symposium 2024 is now open! This annual event is dedicated to showcasing excellence in the field of Biomanufacturing and offers a vibrant platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange.   Join us for insightful sessions that feature expert speakers from both academia and industry, covering the following topics: 1. Scaling, Gradients, and Heterogeneity 2. Innovation in Biomanufacturing 3. Non-conventional Biomanufacturing In addition to these sessions, there will be a poster session and networking opportunities.   🗓️ Date & Time: 22 October 2024 | 8:30 – 16:30 📍 Location: DR Koncerthuset, Copenhagen, Denmark 💡 Registration Fee: 180 DKK for FBM Symposium only (no registration/fee for ESBES attendees) Please note that the FBM Symposium will be held as one of the parallel sessions at the ESBES 2024 Symposium and will be available for in-person attendance only - no streaming options will be provided.   🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/dprmTFT3 Seats are limited, so be sure to secure your spot early!   Additional Information: Registration for the FBM Symposium does not require registration for the full ESBES Symposium. However, those interested in attending the entire ESBES Symposium can still register: https://www.esbes2024.org/. Participants of the ESBES Symposium can join the FBM Symposium without additional registration.   Calling All Early-Career Scientists! We invite you to submit a poster abstract and share your research with experts from academia and industry. Poster Abstract Submission Deadline: 15 September 2024 We look forward to welcoming you!   #FBM #Biomanufacturing #Fermentation #Scaling #Innovation

From the discovery and selection of target molecules at micro- and lab-scale, to proof of concept in pilot facilities, and full-scale production with our industry partners. The unique aspect of the #FBM education is its comprehensive coverage of all stages of industrial research and development Candidates receive training in state-of-the-art bioprocess engineering, including cell factory design and physiology, advanced fermentation design, up-scaling and control, and downstream processing. The hands-on training is conducted using industry-standard equipment, allowing for expert education in fermentation that is directly applicable in most industrial companies working with fermentation. This facilitates a smooth transition into industry careers or development of specialized skills for industry professionals. In this video, we invite you on a tour of some of the latest equipment acquired with the help of the FBM Initiative. This includes a robotic platform for high-throughput screening and the newest extension of the DTU Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Pilot Plant facility, now one of the largest of its kind in the world. With over 30 different large pilot-plant setups, it represents most unit operations found in modern chemical, life science, and food industries. The Fermentation-Based Biomanufacturing initiative (FBM) offers a comprehensive, research-based education and training program in Fermentation-Based Biomanufacturing at the Technical University. Visit the FBM website to learn more: https://fbm.dtu.dk   The FBM Initiative was founded by DTU Bioengineering, DTU Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, DTU Biosustain and funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. #Fermentation #FBM #Biomanufacturing #PilotPlant #Automation #Education

Five years into the FBM Initiative, many amazing results are becoming visible. Today, we take a look at the publication list. A substantial grant like the FBM Initiative, aimed at fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, has not only created a new breed of advanced fermentation engineers but also played a pivotal role in the quality of the scientific output. According to a recent Web of Science search, there are 52 publications with the FBM grant code. The results show the wide scope of the FBM Initiative, with topics ranging from #yeast engineering to process intensification and life cycle assessment. Check out the WOS publication list including abstracts at the FBM Website: https://lnkd.in/d-UPwQ7q We also asked some of the authors featured on the list what impact the FBM Initiative has had on their research: John Woodley, Professor, DTU Chemical and Biochemical Engineering:  “The FBM Initiative has been a brilliant opportunity to learn new approaches and methodologies and to place my work in a wider context. I think the FBM Initiative has broadened my research to include fermentation, alongside microbial biocatalysis and cell-free systems where I have worked for many years. Working with new colleagues in DTU Bioengineering and DTU Biosustain and sharing equipment has been absolutely instrumental in this process.” José Luis Martínez Ruiz, Associate Professor, DTU Bioengineering:  “Access to equipment, like the robotic platform, and the close collaborations with experts from other departments have definitely enhanced the complexity and innovation in our research projects and the impact factor of our publications. Having a number of shared FBM PhD projects allowed us to think out of the box and also take some risks. If you’re always thinking of the safest project, you’re not advancing. And in our case, the risk paid off. Our recent publications have attracted a lot of attention because of their novelty and broader societal impact.” Did you miss the post on José's latest publication? Don’t worry, you can read it here: https://lnkd.in/dAKiyJjH The FBM Initiative is generously funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. #Fermentation #FBM #Impactfactor #Biomanufacturing #Publications #Innovation

Imagine a microorganism capable of producing recombinant proteins in a non-sterile environment, thriving on waste streams from other productions. Thanks to research supported by the FBM Initiative and led by José Luis Martínez Ruiz, Associate Professor at DTU Bioengineering, this is now a reality. José explains, “During my PhD, I worked with the yeast Debaryomyces as a model for stress tolerance, and I noticed some unique traits in this organism, originally isolated from a marine environment. After the introduction of CRISPR I returned to Debaryomyces and, with the help of my colleague Uffe Mortensen, we developed a toolbox to engineer it for bioproduction. The FBM grant provided us the opportunity to really explore its potential as a production organism. Access to High Throughput Technology equipment through the FBM Initiative was a game-changer. Using the new robotic platform, we screened over a hundred different strains of Debaryomyces from the DTU strain collection. Within a few months, we identified a strain significantly superior to the original lab strain. This strain not only survives in high salinity but performs better under such conditions. Additionally, it can consume a wide variety of carbon sources. Initially, we tested it on a side stream from Arla, high in carbon and salt but low in nitrogen. Although successful, we needed to add nitrogen. We then explored mixing different side streams. In our most recent publication, we demonstrated the production of a fluorescent protein on a mix of two side streams without adding nitrogen or requiring pretreatment and sterilization”, Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dqJ5YH2c This is the first instance of recombinant protein production in Debaryomyces, opening up incredible possibilities for the green transition. It promises cost reduction and truly sustainable production with one-step fermentation, potentially using seawater. José continues, “This is still proof of concept. We’re not competitive and there is a lot we don’t know yet. Right now, we’re investigating what else can be produced. One of our future projects is to produce lipids for sustainable Aviation fuel in open fermentations using saline waste streams. Our next steps also involve scaling up. We aim to test the strain's performance in large-scale production and we also want to answer fundamental research questions like: How does the cell maintain low internal salt concentration in high saline environments? And what mechanisms allow salt to promote cell growth?” Join José Luis Martínez Ruiz at a free hybrid seminar 13 June 2024. Registration at: https://lnkd.in/d4Kj8EPK The FBM Initiative is generously funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. #Fermentation #Sustainability #Biosolution #FBM #Yeast DTU - Technical University of Denmark

Going from reading a textbook to actually turning valves with the steam hissing around your ears can be daunting, but thanks to new digital teaching methods, students are now better prepared when they have to operate industry-sized units at the DTU Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Pilot Plant. Julian Kager and Jochen Dreyer Assistant Professors at DTU Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, are teaching the course " Chemical Unit Operations Laboratory." They have been instrumental in digitalizing the teaching materials and now share their experiences of how the digital tools are transforming the learning approach. "The FBM Initiative gave us a unique opportunity to innovate the way we teach Unit Operations. With the funding, we could develop 3D animations that exactly replicate our units and all the steps involved in operating them. Students now watch these 3D animations and instruction videos at home as preparation, and they also use them during the exercises in our Pilot Plant. Before we had the 3D animations, students were often reluctant to perform the actions stated in the written instructions. Being afraid of doing something wrong, they would come asking us teachers before even trying. Now they are more willing to jump in and start experimenting, and that’s the whole idea," explains Julian. Try it out yourself and visit: https://lnkd.in/duamPVeK Another challenge was that each of our units had a separate control and data acquisition system, requiring a lot of specific explanations and training. To overcome this, we developed a streamlined Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition system (SCADA) that now allows controlling our units from a tablet with a user friendly interface. Though the sensors and actuators for each unit vary, the basic interface remains the same, which significantly lowers the entry barrier for students and saves a lot of teaching time that can be spent for deeper discussion of the experiments. Experimenting with Virtual Reality (VR) was a logic next step. The 3D models of the units and the animations look and feel very impressive in VR, but the VR is not part of the teaching yet but is used for presentation purposes. We also recorded a 360-degree video of the Pilot Plant in action so we can bring a virtual tour on a VR Headset to events and conferences, schools, Start-ups and companies with interest in cooperating or signing up in DTU Biotech Lifelong Learning courses, like “Hands-On Introduction to Biomanufacturing Operations”. When you put on the VR headset, you find yourself standing on a bridge inside the Pilot Plant, watching people operate the units. “This special experience helps us convey the real possibilities and the beauty of our Pilot Plant” concludes Julian. The FBM Initiative is generously funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation: Application Calls and Grants. We also thank our technology partners tic elkas A/S and mediamedic.agency #Biomanufacturing #FBM #DTU #Education #Digitalization #VR

The first generation of FBM PhD students are now integral members of the biomanufacturing workforce. We were curious about their reception in the industry, so we reached out to Jan Larsen, Senior Department Manager at Fermentation Optimization in Novonesis for insights. Here's what he had to say about hiring and working with an FBM candidate: "When hiring Irene Hjorth Jacobsen, we specifically looked for a skilled fermentation scientist with a leadership mindset, and Irene fit that profile perfectly. She was already accustomed to operating fermenters like ours, which is a significant advantage in training new hires. Early in her employment, Irene successfully scaled down fermentation processes that had not been scaled down before. Our main objectives include continuously improving the yield, cost, and capacity of our enzyme fermentations. We also prioritize the digitalization and automation of processes to develop advanced process control systems. Irene's curiosity about new processes and her ability to analyse large datasets, combined with her extensive fermentation knowledge, make her an invaluable asset. Irene also exemplifies the leadership qualities we are always seeking in new candidates along with practical experiences like conducting laboratory and pilot-scale fermentations, analysing large data sets, and coding, among other skills. Having been part of our team for just over a year, Irene has demonstrated both scientifically and personally that her education and training perfectly aligned with our needs." The FBM Initiative is generously funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation: Application Calls and Grants. #Fermentation #Biomanufacturing #FBM #Hiring #Biotech #PhD DTU - Technical University of Denmark

FBM is joining forces with ESBES for the 2024 Symposium in Copenhagen! Dear FBM Community, This year, FBM is joining forces with the European Society of Biochemical Engineering Sciences - ESBES for the upcoming ESBES 2024 Symposium in DR Byen, Copenhagen on 21-23 October. The symposium's central theme is 'Biochemical engineering for the sustainable processes of the future'. For more information about ESBES 2024, please visit https://www.esbes2024.org/ The FBM Symposium "Innovation for Biomanufacturing" will take place as one of the parallel sessions at ESBES on the 22 October, featuring a lineup of invited speakers and valuable networking opportunities. If you're interested in attending the FBM Symposium exclusively, registration will open soon. Please note that this year, participation will be on-site only, with no streaming available. For those looking to participate in the FBM Symposium and the full ESBES 2024 Symposium, abstract submissions will be re-opened until 14 May 2024. You can submit your abstract here: https://lnkd.in/dptkTsFR Participation in the full ESBES 2024 Symposium requires a separate registration and payment of the conference fee. We are looking forward to meeting you in October!   The FBM Symposium Organizing Committee

"I hold a PhD in fermentation, a unique qualification I obtained through The Fermentation Based Biomanufacturing Initiative (FBM). This perfectly positioned me for my current role as a fermentation scientist at Novonesis," says Irene Hjorth Jacobsen. "In my team, we review our portfolio of products to identify opportunities for optimizing production. There are various levers we can pull, and we are constantly pushing boundaries. Simple changes, like modifying the fermentation media or adjusting control parameters, can significantly impact our processes. It often feels like detective work, where creativity and classical research go hand in hand. We conduct our experiments in 250-milliliter fully controlled lab-scale fermenters, the same type I used during my PhD at DTU - Technical University of Denmark. When smaller adjustments are identified, that can be quickly applied to production, my team is conveniently located close to the production at our Kalundborg facility. This proximity means that while the ideas don't travel far physically, they go a long way in terms of production optimization. We often go and talk to the production staff that are handling the products. So, a big part of the job is communicating with a lot of different people. This was something I got accustomed to during my time with the FBM Initiative, where I developed a vast network and adopted an interdisciplinary approach from the start. Being part of the first generation of FBM PhD students was special; it fostered a strong sense of community and collaborative spirit that differed from the experiences of my colleagues in more traditional PhD programs. My PhD project with José Luis Martínez Ruiz at DTU Bioengineering focused on developing cost-effective ways to produce human hemoglobin using yeast. I began by engineering yeast cell factories from a laboratory strain, then moved on to small-scale testing to optimize the process, scaling it up over time. This mirrors what I do now just with even more iterations of the design, build, test, and learn cycle. I have maintained the mindset of identifying what works and what doesn’t. Although the project was in its early stages and therefore lacked an industrial partner, my co-supervisor Dr. Andreas Worberg, who is closely connected with the industry, helped me acquire the necessary industrial perspective and access to the right equipment. I was hired as fermentation scientist at Novonesis because I had an actual PhD in fermentation. It is more than a title though. I can see now looking back, that I got the perfect mix of experiences and competencies during my PhD to succeed with what I do today.” The FBM Initiative is generously funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation: Application Calls and Grants. #Fermentation #Biomanufacturing #FBM #PhD #Biosolution #Biotech

Meet our team at German Biotechnology Days! Jennifer Hemphill, Malene Bonné Meyer, and Friederike Buchholz are heading to Berlin to spread the word about DTU - Technical University of Denmark's Biotech Lifelong Learning program! Stop by booth 16 for a chat about our short courses.

“My journey with the FBM initiative has been exceptional – I worked full-time at Novozymes (Novonesis) during my master studies with the support of my DTU supervisors and my managers at Novozymes. And with the CV I was able to build during my FBM education I got my first job in Biotech and rare diseases department of Novo Nordisk A/S within a week and before I even had my title – this shows how relevant my skills were!” Says former FBM student, Tülay Büyükkahveci. This is her FBM story:   “The FBM education became my gateway to a world of opportunities across biotech and pharmaceutical industries. I was first introduced to the FBM study line during my bachelor's thesis collaboration with Novozymes A/S, where I worked on downstream yield optimisation. I continued as a student worker during my Master's, where I focused on the design and optimisation of bioproduct processes using living cells.   Opting for the FBM track opened doors for an internship, where I tackled a complex problem in fermentation processes, solidifying my belief in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world issues. Post-internship, a fantastic opportunity arose: A full-time role as a Fermentation Process Engineer at Novozymes. Initially daunting, but with support from my DTU supervisor and John Woodley, I embraced the challenge, becoming responsible for product and campaigns during my master's studies.   Collaboration with the biotech industry during my FBM education has been phenomenal. Meetings, internships, and thesis work were marked by support, curiosity, and a positive attitude. Industry supervisors, familiar with FBM's demanding nature, were impressed with the relevance of my theoretical knowledge. The courses I followed at DTU - Technical University of Denmark in pharmaceutical regulations and GMP requirements turned out to be spot-on the needs of the company.   In my current role as an Advanced Pilot Scientist in CMC API Pilot at Novo Nordisk A/S, I’m at the nexus of manufacturing and R&D. I navigate daily support and campaign responsibilities for clinical trials and developmental products. The FBM education laid the foundation by providing a comprehensive understanding of bioprocess engineering principles. It equipped me with theoretical knowledge, practical skills from internships and projects, and essential soft skills such as communication and problem-solving. This holistic preparation allowed me to confidently step into this dream job.      #FBM #BioprocessEngineering #CareerJourney #ProfessionalGrowth #fermentation #Biomanufacturing