Industrial Biotechnology involves research on the use of micro-organisms for the production of chemicals and more complex products like proteins. In my research I focus on filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus. The use of fungi for human food production predates our written history.

More information about Peter Punt

Research

Industrial Biotechnology involves research on the use of micro-organisms for the production of chemicals and more complex products like proteins. In my research I focus on filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus. The use of fungi for human food production predates our written history. Documented use of fungi for the preparation of Japanese rice wine dates back at least 2000 year. Within the chair of industrial biotechnology I focus on gaining further insight in processes related to improved protein production in fungi. The very specific filamentous growth phenotype and its role in protein production is one fascinating aspect of fungi. Filamentous fungi are currently among the most commonly used host organisms in industrial production processes. Although these processes mostly are very efficient still several bottlenecks should be solved for further improvement. Among those the most frequency identified bottlenecks, proteolysis, cell lysis and culture viscosity, hamper efficient production most seriously. To date surprisingly little fundamental research has been carried out toward identifying bottlenecks for fungal protein production. The research of the chair will be aimed at studying the molecular mechanisms controlling protein production. Besides molecular genetic and system biology approaches, also state of the art controlled fermentation approaches are used towards improved enzyme production. Target enzymes include novel type of carbohydrate active enzymes and enzyme chimaeras.

Contact: ppunt@GinkgoBioworks.com

Publications