Application of Plant Cells in White Biotechnology: Transfer of innovative methods for the application of plant cells in food, wood, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries by an interdisciplin­ary group of junior scientists

Project leader:
Group leader:		 Prof. Thomas Bley
Dr. Juliane Steingroewer

Agenda:

The aim of the project is to develop biotechnological processes for the production of secondary metabolites with plant cell and tissue cultures as well as a product-specific downstream processing based on different model systems. In order that, the technical basis for GMP-compliant solutions (Good Manufacturing Practice) for the use in the wood products industry (fungicidal coatings), food (colourings and flavourings), pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries (drugs) is provided. As a part of the research a technology platform is built, on which basis new innovative processes can be transferred into the economy.

Fig. 1: Bubble column w. Hairy roots of B. vulgaris

Fig. 2: Stirred tank reactor with suspension culture of Helianthus annuus

Fig. 3: Bubble column with Hairy roots of Harpagophytum procumbens

Fig. 4: Agar plate with Hairy roots of Beta vulgaris (beetroot)

(Figures 1 to 4 are taken from former projects of the Institute of Food Technology and Bioprocess Engineering.)

By the use of transformed and untransformed cells of Salvia spp. (sage), Helianthus annuus (sunflower) and Symphytum officinale (comfrey) the production of secondary metabolites has to be analysed and optimised. Furthermore, the generation, screening and analyses of the callus- and Hairy root cultures as well as the produced metabolites and the process of up scaling are main parts of the project.

Although White Biotechnology applications have considerable advantages, the industrial application is still underachieved. The project's objective is to identify the hurdles and to present possible solutions. The technique's profitability and environmental effect will be researched on one exemplary technique of White Biotechnology. For this reason the production process will be modelled and analysed with classic tools of business studies and environmental performance concepts with the objective to identify significant variables for an ecological and economical improvement.

The further objective is to create a competent, highly motivated group of young scientists (see the picture below). To ensure that well-trained and educated academic researchers remain in Saxony and innovative scientific and economic projects in the field of White Biotechnology are established.

Fig. 5: Members of the interdisciplinary group of junior scientists "White biotechnology with plant cells“ f.l.t.r.: Christiane Haas, Maria Lisa Socher, Joachim Püschel, Dr. Juliane Steingroewer, Annemarie Lippert, Anne-Karen Hüske, Sibylle Schulz, Kristin Halbauer, Jan Endrikat, Katja Geipel, Felix Lenk, Felix Krujatz and Hubertus Delenk // photo: TUD/MZ/MD/LIEBERT


Project staff:

(according to the chair)

Chair of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute of Food Technology and Bioprocess Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Prof. Thomas Bley
Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 32420
Bioverfahrenstechnik(at)tu-dresden.de

Scientists/
Project staff

Research focus

Contact data

Dipl.-Ing.
Katja Geipel
(Bioprocess Engineer)

  • α-tocopherol-production with Helianthus annuus
  • Optimization in terms of bioprocess engineering

Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 39042

Katja.Geipel(at)tu-dresden.de

Dipl.-LMC
Sibylle Schulz
(Food Chemist)

  • Development of methods for determination of characteristic metabolites
  • Monitoring for production of metabolites
  • of Hairy root cultures

Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 39042

Sibylle.Schulz(at)tu-dresden.de

Dipl.-Ing.
Felix Lenk
(Electrical Engineer)

  • Modelling of cell growth of callus- and Hairy root cultures
  • Optimization of the production of plant secondary metabolites

Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 32781

Felix.Lenk(at)tu-dresden.de

VMTA
Kristin Halbauer

Lab assistant

Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 35566

Kristin.Halbauer(at)
tu-dresden.de

Chair of Plant Physiology, Institute of Botany, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Prof. Jutta Ludwig-Müller
Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 33939
Jutta.Ludwig-Mueller(at)tu-dresden.de

Scientists

Research focus

Contact data

Dipl.-Pharm.
Annemarie Lippert
(Pharmacist)

  • Extraction of metabolites from Hairy root cultures of Symphytum officinale
  • Elimination of biosynthesis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 31989

Annemarie.Lippert(at)
mailbox.tu-dresden.de

Dipl.-Biol.
Joachim Püschel
(Biologist)

  • Generation of transgenic Helianthus annuus to increase α-tocopherol synthesis
  • Characterisation and quantification of accumulated secondary metabolites

Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 39550

Joachim.Pueschel(at)
mailbox.tu-dresden.de

Chair of Business Administration, especially Environmental Management and Accounting, Faculty of Business and Economics

Prof. Edeltraud Günther
Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 34313
bu(at)mailbox.tu-dresden.de

Scientist

Research focus

Contact data

Dipl.-Volkswirt
Jan Endrikat

  • Ecological and economical assessment
  • Ecological balance

Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 33245

Jan.Endrikat(at)tu-dresden.de

Dipl.-Kffr.
Anne-Karen Hüske, MGE

  • Ecological and economical assessment
  • Hurdle Analysis

Tel.: n.a.

Anne-Karen.Hueske(at)
tu-dresden.de


Chair of Wood and Fibre Materials Technology, Institute of Wood and Paper Technology, Faculty
of Mechanical Engineering


Prof. André Wagenführ
Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 38101
Sabine.Sickert(at)tu-dresden.de

Scientist

Research focus

Contact data

Hubertus Delenk

Establishment of the application of fungicidal products on wooden materials

Tel.: +49-(0)351-463 38322

Hubertus.Delenk(at)
tu-dresden.de

Press comments:

To the Downloadpage of our research group.

Project funding:

  • European Social Funds
  • the Free State of Saxony

    Project number: 080938406

Project term:

01.10.2009 - 30.09.2012

Contact details:

Steingroewer, Bley

About this page

Peter Schmidt
Last modified: Jul 26, 2016