Metabolic modelling of microbial co-cultures for biotherapeutic production

SACCO SYSTEM and The University of Queensland have recently kicked off a National Industry PhD Program award researching biotherapeutics. This partnership brings together the world class biotherapeutic manufacturing capabilities of SACCO SYSTEM and the metabolic modelling and bioprocess engineering expertise of The University of Queensland to explore microbe co-cultivation as a new method of creating biotherapeutics treatments for disease.

The project, "Metabolic modelling of microbial co-cultures for biotherapeutic production" will model cell interactions and metabolic behaviour during the co-cultivation of two microbes. The goal is to better understand the co-cultivation process with a view to developing new therapeutic products.

The research will be conducted by PhD candidate Mr Weifang Qing (pictured, right) with academic support from Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen, Esteban Marcellin and Lars Puiman from The University of Queensland, and the industry mentorship of Jason Ryan (pictured, left) and Andrea Rabellino from Sacco System.

Congratulations to all involved!