Professor Marco Fraaije, a distinguished researcher at the University of Groningen’s Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB), has been awarded a significant EUR 420,000 grant as part of a EUR 4.25 million NWO Perspectief grant for an innovative biotechnology research project.
The collaborative project, titled ‘INDUSTRIOPHILE: tailored and robust cell-factories for the next-generation Industrial Biotechnology,’ will be led by Wageningen University and involves a consortium of 26 partners, including universities, societal organizations, and companies. Prof. Marco Fraaije will spearhead the Groningen group, focusing on maximizing and optimizing biochemical pathways crucial for the next generation of Industrial Biotechnology.
Prof. Fraaije’s research will concentrate on discovering and engineering enzymes tailored for the fermentative production of flavor compounds and chemical building blocks. The ultimate goal is to enhance biological factories’ efficiency and capability.
The consortium aims to develop microorganisms, adapting a yeast species and two bacterial strains, to efficiently and cost-effectively produce a range of products, including bioplastics, fragrances, flavors, and substitutes for vegetable oils such as palm and sunflower oils.
Prof. Marco Fraaije, renowned for his contributions to the field of biocatalysis, previously received the prestigious BIOCAT Science Award in 2018. His expertise in biotechnology and enzymatic engineering positions him at the forefront of groundbreaking research.
The NWO Perspectief program, funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EKZ), encourages collaboration between researchers, industry, and societal organizations to drive technological innovation. This grant underscores the commitment to advancing biotechnological solutions with economic opportunities for the Netherlands.
As the consortium embarks on this ambitious venture, Prof. Marco Fraaije’s leadership in Groningen promises to contribute significantly to the evolution of Industrial Biotechnology, offering sustainable solutions for diverse industrial applications.
