Periodic Reporting for period 2 - PROMICON (HARNESSING THE POWER OF NATURE THROUGH PRODUCTIVE MICROBIAL CONSORTIA IN BIOTECHNOLOGY – MEASURE, MODEL, MASTER)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-12-01 al 2024-05-31
PROMICON will develop advanced characterization tools to learn from nature which microbial partnerss are needed for a successful microbiome. We will identify the primary producers (farmers), secondary converters (labourers) and essential strains for microbiome stability (balancers). This knowledge will then be used to reduce complexity of natural microbiomes to optimize the production of phycobili protein based pigments, EPS and PHA in a top-down approach and to assemble synthetic microbiomes with increasing complexity (bottom-up) for the production of butanol, H2 and biopolyesters. New reactor concepts will be developed and combined with downstream processing. This will undergo early-stage life cycle assessment to prepare exploitation. This project employs multi-omics tools and genetic engineer methods to understand the consortia and improve the performance. The developed methodology and generated GMO strains would contribute to the sustainability of the society.
In WP1(Learning from nature - enabling technologies) 9 deliverables have been achieved so far. Through these deliverables, the methodology of on-line single cell analysis and an evaluation pipeline have been developed. Besides, datasets of MS-based metabolomics from synthetic consortia and NMR-based datasets of environmental consortia were achieved. Combining the metabolomics with proteomics analysis, a comprehensive omics platform for studying complex microbial consortia is established. Moreover, a partial least squares model for predictions was developed based on the quantified data. Further using machine learning and deep learning approaches, the model was developed for predicting microbiom processes. With These deliverables lay the basis for further method development for feature detection, data analysis pipelines and modelling approaches.
In WP2 (Natural consortia for learning and production) 2 deliverables have been achieved during the reporting time. In these deliverables, the natural microbiomes from different habitats have been collected and characterized. After the screening of PHA and EPS producing strains, the production efficiency was further up-scaled and improved under different conditions. Moreover, a PINN model was used to optimize the bioreactor running towards enhanced PHA, PHB and EPS production.
In WP3 (Synthetic consortia for production) 8 deliverables have been submitted as planned. From these deliverables, two genetically modified strains have been constructed towards specific higher production efficiency. Besides, the WP implement necessary control measures, e.g. removing competing pathways, or enzymatic bottlenecks, for adjusting the consortium to desired phenotypes. Finally, we used developed model for the optimization of synthetic consortia.
In WP4 (Reactor concepts), totally 3 deliverables have been achieved. Two types of reactors, namely, multi-chamber photobioreactor and biofilm reactor have been established and tested for the performance of targeted product formation.
In WP5 (Exploitation) a milestone 18 (which is an intermediate deliverable for D5.3 ) and a intermediate deliverable D5.1 have been achieved to introduce the exploitation and business strategy plan, and to assess the environmental, economic, social impacts of the products from PROMICON.
In WP6 (Dissemination and Communication) three deliverables of project branding, dissemination and communication, have been performed to ensure the normal running of PROMICON, as well to rise the impact of PROMICON.
In WP7 (Management & coordination) and WP8 (Ethics) 6 deliverables (D7.1 D7.2 D8.1 D8.2 D8.3 and D8.4) have been submitted. These works specify the data management, coordination strategy and the ethics requirements of the whole project.
In WP2 (Natural consortia for learning and production) 2 deliverables have been achieved during the reporting time. In these deliverables, the natural microbiomes from different habitats have been collected and characterized. After the screening of PHA and EPS producing strains, the production efficiency was further up-scaled and improved under different conditions. Moreover, a PINN model was used to optimize the bioreactor running towards enhanced PHA, PHB and EPS production.
In WP3 (Synthetic consortia for production) 8 deliverables have been submitted as planned. From these deliverables, two genetically modified strains have been constructed towards specific higher production efficiency. Besides, the WP implement necessary control measures, e.g. removing competing pathways, or enzymatic bottlenecks, for adjusting the consortium to desired phenotypes. Finally, we used developed model for the optimization of synthetic consortia.
In WP4 (Reactor concepts), totally 3 deliverables have been achieved. Two types of reactors, namely, multi-chamber photobioreactor and biofilm reactor have been established and tested for the performance of targeted product formation.
In WP5 (Exploitation) a milestone 18 (which is an intermediate deliverable for D5.3 ) and a intermediate deliverable D5.1 have been achieved to introduce the exploitation and business strategy plan, and to assess the environmental, economic, social impacts of the products from PROMICON.
In WP6 (Dissemination and Communication) three deliverables of project branding, dissemination and communication, have been performed to ensure the normal running of PROMICON, as well to rise the impact of PROMICON.
In WP7 (Management & coordination) and WP8 (Ethics) 6 deliverables (D7.1 D7.2 D8.1 D8.2 D8.3 and D8.4) have been submitted. These works specify the data management, coordination strategy and the ethics requirements of the whole project.
All milestones and deliverables have so far been achieved on time. The results showed that the overall project is progressing well towards the final goals and if progress continues at the same rate, it will likely achieve all the objectives. Thus, the expected impact mentioned in 2.1 of the DoA, 1) to raise awareness of microbiomes´ potential to transform and future-proof the bio-based economy, 2) to improve overall knowledge of the industrial microbiome with a view to responding to market needs, 3) to improve the bio-based sector´s overall sustainability and innovation capacity by using microbiome applications and knowledge, 4) to strengthen the market position and increase the market share of bio-based solutions, 5) to deliver results in a form that allows for efficient feedback into policymaking in research, innovation and technology, 6) to demonstrate solutions and develop strategies for innovation based on the microbiome approach, building on enhanced cooperation between all stakeholders and exploiting the opportunities offered by big data, 7) to raise awareness and create a better framework for systemic innovation and uptake of results through broad stakeholder engagement, are still relevant. Our progress secured the basis for expanding our knowledge beyond the state of the art and respective publications are being drafted, or have already been published.