L-HKI
About
Infectious diseases are a growing threat to global health. Leibniz-HKI is addressing this challenge with its research topics in order to tackle the increase in multi-resistant microorganisms, new pathogens and unresolved challenges in infection therapy and diagnostics. This is closely linked to the fact that fewer and fewer effective antibiotics are available for the treatment of infectious diseases and that the rate of discovery and development has declined dramatically.
At Leibniz-HKI, we are working intensively on two key aspects of this problem and are focusing on (i) research into natural products from microorganisms, many of which are important therapeutics such as antibiotics, and (ii) life-threatening infectious diseases caused by human-pathogenic fungi. Our scientists aim to combine both research areas to gain insights into the formation and function of microbial natural products – some of which are important virulence determinants – and their biotechnological production. On the other hand, they want to better understand infection mechanisms and the human immune system and lay the foundations for more effective therapy through immunomodulation or with active substances.
The two research areas of the Leibniz HKI, natural product research and infection biology, are addressed in an interdisciplinary approach involving all research units of the institute and are the subject of cross-institutional collaborative projects aiming to translate the findings into applications for better diagnosis and therapy of infectious diseases.
Role in Upcycle
As part of UPCYCLE, Leibniz-HKI is working with its partners to establish a recyclable, bio-based packaging value chain by fully exploiting the successful results of the previous H2020 project UPLIFT. The production, recyclability, biodegradability and mechanical and processing properties of the new bioplastics are being tested on a pilot scale.
With its Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz-HKI is involved in intensifying and optimising viable chemical-enzymatic depolymerisation processes for polyester, overcoming key bottlenecks in scalability and performing medium-scale validations and full-scale upscaling of the most promising technologies. The resulting depolymerisation hydrolysates and purified monomers are used for bioupcycling, eco-design, repolymerisation and formulation. New eco-polymer materials are being tested to demonstrate their recyclability.
Together with its partners, Leibniz-HKI is committed to improving and intensifying fermentation processes for the production of PHAs, plasticisers, aromatics and FDCA from plastic hydrolysates and monomers from sustainable raw materials. The building blocks produced are used to manufacture novel ecopolymers. The most promising processes are selected by Leibniz-HKI for final scaling. Leibniz-HKI will use uHT microdroplet screening assays for the sugar-based process.
In addition, the Leibniz-HKI will lead the technology transfer of selected fermentation processes with the aim of scaling up the most promising fermentation processes for the production of PHA, plasticisers, FDCA and HPAA to larger reactors and prepare them for large-scale production, with a particular focus on the technology transfer of aromatic production using P. taiwanensis, which is to be validated in a 30-300 litre bioreactor.