Math Johansen
University
Aalborg University (AAU)
Company
Unibio A/S
Project title
Identifying the antioxidant components in a complex biomass
Project description
Unibio produces feed protein by U-loop fermentation of methanotrophic bacteria i.e. bacteria that metabolize methane as carbon source, thereby improving the sustainability of protein production. Through previous Helix Lab fellowships, we observed high levels of bioactivities in the biomass, but were unsuccessful in identification of the responsible compounds. In this project, we build on this work with the aim of identifying the compound(s) responsible for the observed activity. The project will approach this challenge in a top-down manner, where investigation of different process streams and their fractions will help reducing the complexity of the samples and facilitate compound identification through iteratively testing the obtained fractions. After lab-scale identification, the student will work at HelixLab to develop a small-scale process for isolation/enrichments of the compound(s) and work towards scaling the process at the Unibio Kalundborg demo facilities.
What was your motivation for becoming a Helix Lab Fellow?
I was motivated to become a Helix fellow was the opportunity to collaborate with private industry academia, since my interest is in real-world applications and research that are crucial for the green transformation. Furthermore, the proximity of large and small biotech firms in Kallundborg were also great opportunity for networking and insight in the biotechnology industry were also a huge motivator.
What is the most exciting part of being a Helix Lab Fellow?
There are so many things to be excited about being a Helix Lab Fellow making it hard to choose, but I say it’s the many opportunities for social interaction with likeminded peers that enable growth both in a professional and personal sense.
What perspectives do you see for your future after being a Helix Lab Fellow?
I anticipate that my time as a Helix Lab fellow will offer abundant opportunities for the next phase of my career, whether it involves furthering my education or commencing work in the vicinity of Kalundborg. Given my multifaceted interests in the field of biotechnology and the seamless collaboration between industry and Helix Lab, I am confident that opting to become a Helix Lab Fellow was the ideal career decision for me.