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Microbial Cell Bioprocessing

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Providing microbial solutions for tomorrow’s technologies

The Microbial Cell Bioprocessing group utilises microbial systems for recombinant production of protein-based biologics, nucleic acids and other biotherapeutics. We develop technologies, bioprocessing and engineering strategies with sustainable biomanufacturing and clinical applications in mind. Our expertise in using Escherichia coli and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) cell factories as a production platform for cultivated meat, nucleic acid and other therapeutic applications can open opportunities for collaboration.


Focus Areas

  • Microbial biomanufacturing of protein biologics, recombinant growth factors and other therapeutic modalities
  • Toolbox development for recombinant protein expression and secretion
  • Customized microbial bioprocessing solutions
  • Applications of LAB as live biotherapeutic products, protein expression systems and probiotics


Our Capabilities

SYNTHETIC AND PROTEIN ENGINEERING

SYNTHETIC & PROTEIN ENGINEERING

Strain and toolbox development for protein production

MICROBIAL FERMENTATION FOR VARIOUS HOSTS

MICROBIAL FERMENTATION FOR VARIOUS HOSTS

Competency in working with various microbial hosts such as E. coli, LAB & Yeast

MICROBIAL PRODUCTION OF RECOMBINANT PROTEINS

MICROBIAL PRODUCTION OF RECOMBINANT PROTEINS

Production of recombinant growth factors, vaccines & other proteins

EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL SYSTEMS AND MEDIA

EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL SYSTEMS & MEDIA

Bioreactor cultivation in batch, fed-batch and perfusion modes up to 50L

VECTOR DEVELOPMENT

VECTOR DEVELOPMENT

Stringent control of vector expression with optimal secretion & productivity

SUPPORTING PARTNERS IN PROOF-OF-CONCEPT STUDIES

SUPPORTING PARTNERS IN PROOF-OF-CONCEPT STUDIES

Collaborate in the production of molecules for proof-of-concept studies and research projects.


With our main focus in microbial biomanufacturing of protein biologics, MCB has developed a wide range of end-to-end capabilities and technologies. This ranges from microbial host engineering, in-silico models, fermentation options and bioprocesses down to purification and product characterisation. We also seek to accelerate personalized microbiome therapeutics as well as to expand the knowledge of microbial biomanufacturing capability.

Our Technologies

Production of recombinant growth factors for cultivated meat

Production of recombinant growth factors for cultivated meat

Our team is developing an alternate source of scalable serum-substitute for animal-derived serum, such as FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum). This is part of our growing efforts to make cultured meat commercially viable and ethical for consumption.


Propeptide toolbox for improved secretion of recombinant proteins

Propeptide toolbox for improved secretion of recombinant proteins

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a promising family of food-grade organisms for recombinant protein manufacturing. Our team have in silico-mined novel propeptides, which enhanced secretion yield and enzyme activity, making this toolbox useful for secretion optimisation of other recombinant proteins found in LAB.


Cell anchoring domain for heterologous protein display on LAB

Cell anchoring domain for heterologous protein display on LAB

Our team taps on the advantage of LAB as a useful adjuvant and delivery vector for vaccine. We have engineered a novel anchoring domain (CAD4a) that enables therapeutic proteins to be coated on the surface of LAB, employing them as drug delivery vehicles.


OUR TRACK RECORD

Featured Publications

  • Bryan Nicholas Chua, Wei Mei Guo, Han Teng Wong, Dave Siak-Wei Ow, Pooi Leng Ho, Winston Koh, Ann Koay and Fong Tian Wong (2023) A sweeter future: Using protein language models for exploring sweeter brazzein homologs. Food Chemistry 426:136580
  • Lokanand Koduru, Meiyappan Lakshmanan, Yi Qing Lee, Pooi-Leng Ho, Pei-Yu Lim, Wei Xuan Ler, Say Kong Ng, Dongseok Kim, Doo-Sang Park, Mazlina Banu, Dave Siak Wei Ow and Dong-Yup Lee (2022) Systematic evaluation of genome-wide metabolic landscapes in lactic acid bacteria reveals diet-induced and strain-specific probiotic idiosyncrasies. Cell Reports 41: 111735
  • Dave Siak Wei Ow, Min-Kyu Oh, Chung-Jen Chiang and Yun-Peng Chao (2021) Technological Advances Improving Recombinant Protein Production in Bacteria. Frontiers in Microbiology 12: 729472
  • Pei Kun Richie Tay, Pei-Yu Lim and Dave Siak Wei Ow (2021) A SH3_5 Cell Anchoring Domain for Non-recombinant Surface Display on Lactic Acid Bacteria. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 8: 614498
  • Pooi-Leng Ho, Han Kee Ong, Jeanette Teo, Dave Siak Wei Ow and Sheng-Hao Chao (2019) HEXIM1 peptide exhibits antimicrobial activity against antibiotic resistant bacteria through guidance of cell penetrating peptide. Frontiers in Microbiology 10: 203

The Team

DaveOw

Dr Dave Ow

dave_ow@bti.a-star.edu.sg
Senior Scientist II

PhD in Integrative Sciences and Engineering (2007), National University of Singapore, Singapore

Research Focus / Interest

  • Analysis of cellular phospho-signaling and metabolic networks using a systems-level proteomics and transcriptomics approach
  • Development of acoustically driven microfluidic devices for biological applications
  • Metabolic engineering and production of recombinant proteins and DNA plasmids from microbial cells
Prashant Mainali

Dr Prashant Mainali

prashant_mainali@bti.a-star.edu.sg
Scientist

PhD in Biomedical Engineering (2023), National University of Singapore, Singapore

Research Focus / Interest

  • Process optimization for the production of metabolites, and proteins from E. coli and Lactic Acid bacteria
  • Development of structured bioprocess model for E. coli and Lactic Acid bacteria
  • Study of metabolic pathway reorganization after induction in an engineered microorganism

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