Aims

Our work focuses on the understanding, orientation and optimization of microbiological or enzymatic catalysts for the valorization of renewable resources (e.g. agro-industrial residues - rich in sugar or fatty acids, CO2) into molecules of interest (e.g. functionalized lipids, PHA polymers). Our research interest is to study the relationships between the state of a biocatalyst and the dynamics of a biological reaction, depending on the environment.

Scientific approach

The transformation of agro-industrial residues involves the use of heterogeneous and variable raw materials, sometimes requiring pre-treatment, and generating heterogeneous and multiphase environments for the conversion steps. The controlled implementation of biocatalysts under these conditions is a challenge but also an advantage. Indeed biocatalysts are naturally adapted to the recovery of complex substrates, and allow the development of green processes, under gentle conditions. Their use is logically part of the implementation of a circular bio-economy, a sustainable use of resources without competition with food.

For these purposes we study the relationships between (i) structure and function of enzymes and between (ii) production and physiological state of cells, in order to orient the reaction towards a compound of interest.

An integrated and multidisciplinary approach is developed, taking into account the complexity of biological systems (enzymes/cells) and the various production constraints at laboratory or industrial scale. This involves monitoring and controlling the biological reaction throughout the process, the objective being to control the operating conditions to improve process performance, i.e. to maintain the enzymes/cells in a structural/physiological state compatible with optimal production. Consequently, in support of instrumented reactors, the team has analytical resources (HPLC, GC...), and specific tools for characterizing cells and microbial sub-populations (e.g. optical and capacitive probes, flow cytometry).