Mathematical modelling is a transversal field lying at the core of modern bioprocess engineering. This research line applies new modelling approaches for solving real problems bioprocess development, always close to experimentation, piloting and industry. With a multiscale perspective, we focus on i) understanding the mechanisms of biotransformation at metabolic scale through the use of metabolic models, in particular applied to the conversion of waste streams to volatile fatty acids and other chemicals; ii) improving the conversions to desired products at bioreactor scale, by optimising substrate composition and feeding rates and other operational conditions (e.g. pH, retention time, ISPR); and iii) optimising the design of biorefineries at plant-wide scale, by superstructure optimisation leading to the selection of the best flowsheet to obtain a given product from an array of possible substrates and technologies.
Projects
Pushing the frontier of circular agriculture by converting residues into economic, social and environmental opportunities (AGRILOOP) European Commission. HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-01 (2022-2026)
Computer-aided design of innovative bioprocesses for the sustainable production of chemicals (ALQUIMIA) Spanish Government. Retos de la sociedad modalidad Jóvenes investigadores. (2020-2023)
Publications
- Model-aided targeted volatile fatty acid production from food waste using a defined co-culture microbial community
- Optimising bioreactor processes with in-situ product removal using mathematical programming: A case study for propionate production
- Fostering the valorization of organic wastes into carboxylates by a computer-aided design tool
- Kinetic and stoichiometric model for the computer-aided design of protein fermentation into volatile fatty acids
- A metabolic model for targeted volatile fatty acids production by cofermentation of carbohydrates and proteins
Doctoral Theses
Mechanistic understanding of mixed-culture fermentations by metabolic modeling. Alberte Regueira. June 2020