Bioconversion Science and Technology Group (formerly, the Biochemical Engineering Research Group) The Bioconversion Science and Technology Group (BST) performs R&D in the disciplines of bioconversion science for the Department of Energy (DOE) relevant applications of bioprocessing. The group also co-sponsors the ongoing Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals, which is held annually in May (http://www.simhq.org/meetings/sbfc2009/index.html). Bioprocessing is the process whereby a material is converted into another using biological agents (e.g., living microbes or enzymes). This field combines chemical engineering, microbiology and biochemistry. We collaborate with a variety of industries and universities.
Jonathan R. Mielenz, Ph.D., Group Leader, 865-576-8522, mielenzjr@ornl.gov June 26, 2007 News
Release: Energy Department
Selects Three Bioenergy Research Centers BST's research interests can be grouped into the following areas:
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Microsoft
Powerpoint Overview of the former Biochemical Engineering Research Group
(version 6.24.2003) |
Production of
Fuels and Chemicals
Davison, Mielenz, Borole, Raman , Rodriguez, Hamilton
Mielenz,
Raman, Rodriguez, Hamilton
Biocatalytic Production of Industrial Chemicals (epoxides, esters)
Borole, Davison
· Development of thermophilic cytochrome P450 systems - Borole
- Development of highly active enzymes for non-aqueous bioprocessing - Borole, Davison
- Development of unsaturated fatty molecules via desaturase action - Borole
Bioprocessing
of Fossil Fuels
Borole, Mielenz, Davison
- Oil applications (Removal of Sulfur, Viscosity Reduction, Upgrading)
Borole, Davisono Microbial desulfurization and bioupgrading
o Modified nonaqueous enzymes for treatment
o Electrodispersion contactors and electrospray bioreactors
o Diesel biodesulfurization
o Directed evolution of desulfinase and other desulfurization enzymes
o Engineering peroxidases for oil upgrading
o Biological hydrogenation, hydrodesulfurization, and biomimetics
o Polyaromatic benefication
o Biological nitrogen removal
o Heavy crude bioupgrading via moisture reduction and alcohol production
- Coal Applications
Borole, Hamilton
- Mercury removal from coal via bioprocessing
- Pyrite removal via bioconversion
- Heavy metal removal via biotransformation
Biofuel Cells
Borole, Hamilton
- Electricity production via microbial and enzyme fuels cells
- Optimization of microbial fuel cells for organic and inorganic waste removal
- Biofilm establishment and systems biology studies in microbial fuel cells
- Development of three-dimensional enzyme electrodes for fuel cells
Biotreatment & Bioremediation
Davison, Kuritz, Borole
- Biofiltration of VOCs (alkanes, NOx, TCE) - Davison
- Bioremediation using nonaqueous thermophilic enzymes (chlorinated solvents) - Davison
- Nonaqueous (‘dry’) biocatalysis for hazardous vapors (CWA, VOCs) - Davison
- PCB Biodegradation
- Biosorption of heavy metals with biopolymers - Davison
- Microbial overexpression of degradative enzymes - Kuritz, Borole
- GEM development and production - Kuritz, Davison
- Fast throughput fermentations - Davison, Borole
Closely Related Research Groups
Microbial Ecology and Physiology Group - (Biosciences Division)
Anthony V. Palumbo, Ph.D., Group Leader
· Steven D. Brown, Ph.D. - Functional Genomics and Microbial Physiology
Molecular Bioscience and Biotechnology Group - (Chemical Sciences Division)
Staffing
Personnel and Contact Information
Selected
Publication: The Resurgence
of Bioenergy, ORNL Review, 40(1), 2007.
Environmental Sciences Division
Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program (EERE)
22nd Symposium on Biotechnology
for Fuels and Chemicals (2000)
23rd
Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals (2001)
24th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and
Chemicals (2002)
25th Symposium on Biotechnology for
Fuels and Chemicals (2003)
26th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and
Chemicals (2004)
27th Symposium
on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals (2005)
28th Symposium on
Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals (2006)
29th Symposium on
Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals (2007)
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