Anaerobic reactor microbiomes offer opportunities to develop novel processes for production of commodity chemicals out of a wide diversity of organic residual streams. The uncovered microbial consortia nurture high potential novel biocatalysts. By creating selection pressures one can steer such process with undefined biocatalysts to the job to be done. Recently, it was discovered that application of methanol as an electron donor in Chain Elongation (CE) steers microbiomes to the formation of significant amounts of branched medium chain fatty acids (branched-MCFAs, i.e. isomer). Industrial interest in branched-MCFAs is driven by the need for enhanced chemical performance properties including improved oxidative stability, low melting point and suitable viscosity. The objective of this project is to gain insights in the formation of Branched-MCFAs through biological processes within CE reactor microbiomes. We will investigate this microbiomes for examining key-steering parameters and attempt to understand the competing and desired bioprocesses in the microbiome. This study will integrate microbial composition analysis with continuous operation of reactor microbiomes. Two paths will be followed; negative value supermarket waste streams will be elongated to branched-MCFAs. Secondly, plant and animal derived residual feedstock containing mass branched amino acids functionality, which is maintained while converted, will be used to produce branched-MCFAs. This research will support the development of an economic, renewable and geographically unbound production processes of branched-MCFAs. Flexible microbiological upgrade of low grade biomass residue into commodity chemicals is warranted. The used feedstock are produced by leading Dutch biorefineries that allow rapid implementation. We envision that laboratory discoveries will lead to direct impact from green biotechnology.

The research project HyCARB brings together Dutch clean-tech companies, universities and research institutes to develop the technology base for industrial end users worldwide for carbon-based chemicals production using hydrogen, green electrons and captured carbon dioxide. New scientific approaches will be pursued to achieve breakthroughs for cost- and energy-efficient sustainable production of fuels and chemicals by identifying, developing and testing improved catalysts, key components such as reactors, electrolysers and innovative approaches for electrified heating. Laboratory work using the latest generation analytical equipment will be combined with techno-economic and lifecycle assessments of a range of technologies to help industry decarbonise.

Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) is a promising approach to develop new chemicals. However, well-elaborated tools to guide selection of SSbD alternatives that fullfill the desired and essential function in a given application are missing. In this proposal, we will focus on Persistent, Mobile and Toxic chemicals, as they pose a risk to the watercycle and human and ecological health. This TOSS project will develop integrated tools to select and produce SSbD alternatives for PMTs, will gain experience with putting SSbD in practice including active contributions of different stakeholders, and will formulate lessons for industry, academic research and policy.

ISBE is an ESFRI research infrastructure under development. It is incorporated in the ESFRI Road Map 2016. ISBE empowers European researchers across academia, clinics and industry to implement systems biology approaches. ISBE will: • offer easy access to the best European expertise, resources and training in systems biology and offer hands-on support in building, validating and using computational models that are based on model-compliant high-quality data; • take the lead role in the development and implementation of community standards to make data, models and tools findable and re-usable over time ISBE builds on national strengths as it is a matrix of national Systems Biology Centres (nSBCs), coordinated by a European office. Three types of services will be offered, aiming at academia, clinics and industry • integration of diverse type of data in predictive computational models, including their validation, expansion and exploitation • standardisation of data assets according to the FAIR principles (FAIRDOM is part of ISBE) • education and training After finishing its Preparatory Phase in 2015 ISBE, has entered its Building Phase. It is developing web-based services in the above three domains, based fully on in kind contributions of its partners and on FAIRDOM. In parallel it started to team up with funding organisations. This application is a request for organising the first meeting of ISBE ‘s Intergovernmental Working Group (IWG) November/December this year. Through the IWG national funding organisations will become involved in the development of the European infrastructure.