EFRI DCheM: Modular SynBio Processing Units for Distributed Manufacturing of High-Value Products

分布式制造用较小的区域性工厂取代了大型的国家工厂。它可以通过缩短供应链来缓解供应链上的压力。它还能更有效地利用当地资源。微生物可以将当地的生物质转化为产品。它们的代谢灵活性使得各种各样的产品可以被制造出来。它还提供了在产品之间快速切换以满足地方、区域或国家需求的潜力。该项目的目标是创建和演示模块化生物反应器技术。这些将允许重新利用现有的生产设施。它们可以适应当地的生物质资源以及特定的产品。模块化设计将有助于对需求和供应的快速变化做出灵活的反应。广泛参与研究将加强美国的生物经济。合成生物学提供了从普通生物质原料中生产各种高价值产品的方法。该项目的目标是开发和集成模块化单元操作（例如连续流3d打印生物反应器），以实现产品之间的快速过渡，以响应不断变化的市场需求。他们将利用共同的和当地可用的原料和设备。过渡将通过交换和/或重新配置模块化反应单元来完成。该项目专门针对高价值天然药物和药物的生产。项目团队将把合成生物学和代谢工程方面的专业知识与最新的材料创新（例如3D打印细胞负载生物反应器）相结合。3d打印细胞负载水凝胶结构的开发将允许连续流动操作和过程强化，以促进运输过程，减小反应器尺寸并允许重新配置。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Distributed manufacturing replaces large national facilities with smaller regional sites. It can relieve the stress on supply chains by shortening them. It also uses local resources more effectively. Microbes can convert local biomass into products. Their metabolic flexibility enables a wide variety of products to be made. It also offers the potential for rapid switching between products to meet local, regional, or national needs. The goal of this project is to create and demonstrate modular bioreactor technologies. These will allow repurposing of existing manufacturing facilities. They can be tuned to local biomass resources as well as specific products. The modular design will facilitate nimble responses to rapid shifts in demand and supply. Broad participation in research will strengthen the US bioeconomy.Synthetic biology offers the means of producing a diverse array of high-value products from common biomass feedstocks. The goal of this project is to develop and integrate modular unit operations (e.g. continuous flow 3D-printed bioreactors) that will enable quick transitions from product to product in response to changing market needs. They will utilize common and locally available feedstocks and equipment. Transitions will be accomplished by exchange and/or re-configuration of modular reaction units. The project specifically targets the production of high-value natural medicines and drugs. The project team will integrate expertise in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering with recent materials innovations (e.g. 3D printed cell-laden bioreactors). The development of 3D-printed cell-laden hydrogel structures will permit continuous-flow operation and process intensification to facilitate transport processes, reduce reactor sizes and allow for re-configuration.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.