Collaborative Research: Dakota Bioprocessing Consortium (DakotaBioCon)

达科他生物加工联盟（DakotaBioCon）汇集了来自北达科他州和南达科他州两个相邻州的四个机构的研究人员，这两个州具有相似的地理、社会经济和环境多样性：北达科他州立大学（NDSU）、南达科他州立大学（SDSU）、北达科他州大学（UND）和南达科他州矿业与技术学院（SDSMT）。DakotaBioCon的愿景是通过尖端的研究和开发，成为生物质生物处理领域公认的知识领导者，帮助该地区、国家和全球社会向生物经济过渡。DakotaBioCon的主要目标是建立一个多国家、多机构、多学科、协作的基础设施，以实现和促进新型生物加工技术的发展，以可持续地利用可再生资源生产高价值化学品和材料，重点是木质素衍生产品作为进口化石燃料化学品的经济可行替代品。DakotaBioCon通过实现几个综合目标，实现了木质素生物加工领域的区域基础设施发展目标：1)利用一套新的加工方法，包括木质素的高温液化和生物降解，以及分析方法（色谱法、光谱法和化学方法），将木质素转化为低分子量的化学组分，以实现质量平衡关闭；2)破译与木质素分解方法相关的反应机制，以优化和引导木质素裂解反应途径；3)设计工艺/净化方案，将易制毒化学品转化为有价值的产品；4)从木质素衍生的芳烃/酚类化合物中开发新的单体/聚合物和复合材料；5)通过共享数据、知识、专业知识、设备、设施和教育项目等联合合作活动，发展和升级研究和教育基础设施。DakotaBioCon的影响是深远的，并且超出了合同期限。可再生资源的生物处理通过减少国家对进口石油的依赖和创造新的就业机会，解决了国家安全的战略重点。为了确保持续和长期的可持续性，DakotaBioCon利用了UND的可持续能源研究计划和支持教育（SUNRISE）， SDSU的SunGrant计划和SDSMT的生物加工研究与开发中心（CBRD）以及未来商业知识产权中的现有伙伴关系。知识优势：DakotaBioCon专注于木质素的生物加工，可再生酚类，芳香化学品和绿色聚合物，具有潜在的用途，作为石化产品的化学和聚合物替代品。木质素生物处理领域的新知识和科学贡献正在产生。提出的研究方法的知识价值在于：1)开发新的，更具成本效益和环境友好的木质素解聚方法/剂的潜力；2)开发一套新颖分析方法的潜力，能够进行详细的产品分析；3)破译木质素热化学和生物碎片的机制方面的潜力，以提高转化率和/或为工业化学过程产生新的木质素积木前体；4)开发具有改进化学和物理性能的新型绿色材料的潜力。更广泛的影响：DakotaBioCon基础设施支持基础和应用研究项目，并为K-12、本科生和研究生等不同群体提供更多的教育、培训和劳动力发展机会。它有助于满足国家能源和经济安全需求。这些项目旨在加强可再生能源和材料跨学科领域的合作、知识和资源共享。DakotaBioCon的教育和劳动力发展战略的特点是跨学科的方法和独特的伙伴关系网络，有助于将这些项目推进到一个新的绩效和交付水平。研究成果通过网站、新闻媒体、广播、公共数据库、在国家和国际会议上的演讲以及在国际知名期刊上的同行评议出版物广泛传播给科学界和公众。

The Dakota Bioprocessing Consortium (DakotaBioCon) brings together researchers from four institutions in two neighboring states, North Dakota and South Dakota, with similar geographical, socio-economic and environmental diversity: North Dakota State University (NDSU), South Dakota State University (SDSU), University of North Dakota (UND) and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSMT). The vision of DakotaBioCon is through cutting-edge research and development to become a recognized intellectual leader in biomass bioprocessing that can help the region, nation and global society transition to a bio-based economy. The primary goal of DakotaBioCon is to establish a multi-state, multi-institution, multi-disciplinary, collaborative infrastructure to enable and facilitate the development of novel bioprocessing technologies for sustainable production of high-value chemicals and materials from renewable resources, with emphasis on lignin-derived products as economically viable substitutes for imported fossil-fuel based chemicals. DakotaBioCon achieves its goal of regional infrastructure development in the area of lignin bioprocessing through the accomplishment of several integrated objectives:1) Convert lignin into low molecular weight chemical fractions using a suite of novel processing methods, including high-temperature liquefaction and biodegradation of lignin, and analytical methods, (chromatography, spectrometry and chemical methods) to enable mass balance closure;2) Decipher the reaction mechanisms associated with the proposed lignin disassembly methods as a means to optimize and channel lignin fragmentation reaction pathways;3) Design process/purification schemes to convert precursor chemicals into valuable products;4) Develop new monomers/polymers and composites from lignin-derived aromatics/phenolics;5) Develop and upgrade the research and education infrastructure through joint collaborative activities that include sharing of data, knowledge, expertise, equipment, facilities, and educational programs.The impacts of DakotaBioCon are far-reaching, and extend beyond the award period. Bioprocessing of renewable resources addresses strategic national security priorities by reducing national dependence on imported oil and creates new jobs. To ensure continuation and long-term sustainability, DakotaBioCon leverages existing partnerships within UND's Sustainable Energy Research Initiative and Supporting Education (SUNRISE), SDSU's SunGrant Initiative, and SDSMT's Center for Bioprocessing Research and Development (CBRD) and future commercial intellectual property.Intellectual Merit:DakotaBioCon focuses on bioprocessing of lignin to renewable phenolics, aromatic chemicals and green polymers with potential uses as chemical and polymeric alternatives to petrochemicals. New knowledge and scientific contributions to the field of lignin bioprocessing are being generated. The intellectual merit of the proposed research approach is: 1) the potential for development of new, more cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly methods/agents for lignin depolymerization; 2) the potential for development of a suite of novel analytical methods enabling detailed product analysis; 3) the potential for deciphering the mechanistic aspects of lignin thermochemical and biological fragmentation to attain enhanced conversion rates and/or generate new lignin building-block precursors for industrial chemical processes; and 4) the potential for development of new, green materials with improved chemical and physical properties.Broader Impacts:DakotaBioCon infrastructure supports basic and applied research programs and offer expanded education, training and workforce development opportunities for a diverse cohort of K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students. It contributes to meeting national energy and economic security needs. These programs are leveraged to enhance collaboration, knowledge, and resource-sharing in the growing interdisciplinary field of renewable energy and materials. The education and workforce development strategy of DakotaBioCon are characterized by an interdisciplinary approach and a unique web of partnerships that helps advance these programs to the next level of performance and delivery. Research findings are widely disseminated to the scientific community and public through website, news media, radio, public databases, presentations at national and international meetings, and peer-reviewed publications in journals of international repute.