DTU Biosustain

🎉Our researchers honored for excellence in science and innovation!🎉 This week, Senior Researcher Ditte Welner and Professor Pablo Ivan Nikel from The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain) were celebrated at the DTU Celebration of Excellence 2025 - an event recognizing researchers awarded prestigious grants in the past year. In total, 31 DTU researchers were recognized for securing grants exceeding DKK 380 million, supporting research that pushes the boundaries of science—from cutting-edge materials to sustainable biotechnology. Ditte Welner was awarded the NNF Ascending Investigator 2024 grant for GlycoExtreme, a project exploring extremophilic enzymes — nature’s own specialists in surviving extreme conditions. These enzymes could pave the way for new breakthroughs in industrial and environmental biotechnology. Ditte shares: "I’m very excited and honored to receive this grant. We have seen first indications that enzymes from extremophiles are remarkably stable against chemicals and heat… I can’t wait to explore how widespread this phenomenon is.” Also taking the stage was Pablo Ivan Nikel, who received the NNF Distinguished Innovator grant for CLEANFLOW, a project developing a microbial platform for cleaning and degradation of PFAS in water systems. Pablo says: "I am deeply honored to have been selected as a Distinguished Innovator by the NNF. After years of dedicated efforts from my team, we are now ready to take on a major sustainability challenge: addressing the fate of PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals! Very excited for the journey ahead!" CPO & CSO at DTU Biosustain Dina Petranovic PhD EMBA joined in the celebration, adding: "I am very pleased to see Ditte and Pablo honored this week. Both of their research projects have enormous potential to create a more sustainable society so these grants are very important. Congratulations to both!” A big congratulations to Ditte, Pablo, and all the DTU researchers shaping the future of science for the benefit of society!👏🌍 #sustainability #biotechnology DTU - Technical University of Denmark Novo Nordisk Foundation

“It is well with my soul.” In 1873, after losing his four daughters in a shipwreck, Horatio Spafford wrote a hymn—not about grief, but about trust. A quiet, steady conviction that even in really difficult times and uncertainty, there can be purpose and meaning. For Dr. Colleen Manyumwa, PhD, these words are more than a quote - they are a way of navigating life. “I want that kind of unshakeable peace and trust in God,” she says. “No matter what circumstances I encounter in life.” But she doesn’t simply accept the world as it is. She is a scientist at heart —a problem solver, a builder of new solutions. As a child growing up in Zimbabwe, Colleen wanted to do everything. She baked, painted, gardened, played musical instruments. But science fascinated her particularly. She remembers hearing about HIV/AIDS and the global race for a cure. “I couldn’t understand why they couldn’t just kill the virus,” she recalls. “I told myself, ‘One day, I’ll be a fine scientist and find a cure.’” She ended up not going into medicine - instead, she found her way to environmental biotechnology, where she is tackling a different kind of crisis — increasing CO₂ emissions. Now a researcher at The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain), Colleen leads pioneering work in biological CO₂ capture. Her team is developing bacteria that can convert carbon dioxide into valuable biominerals, a technology that could transform industries like cement, paper, and pulp manufacturing— all industries that urgently need sustainable solutions. And the world is paying attention. A recent collaboration with TotalEnergies is helping her lab scale up this technology, moving it from research to industrial application. “This grant allows us to refine biological CO₂ capture, optimize bacterial processes, and integrate with industrial waste streams,” she says. “It’s an exciting step toward making scalable, sustainable carbon sequestration a reality.” Science with a purpoe For Colleen, success has never been about recognition but about nurturing strong connections with family, friends, and colleagues and having a clear purpose: "Environmental challenges like climate change, pollution, and resource depletion affect the most vulnerable communities. So for me, it is not just about science—it’s about responsibility and environmental stewardship. My sentiment is that knowledge is a gift meant to be used for the greater good. It would be so unfair to hand over to future generations a world more broken than the one we inherited. That’s what motivates me.” March is Women’s History Month honoring women all over the world who are driving meaning change. We at DTU Biosustain celebrate scientists like Colleen who are working towards a more sustainable future.👏🌍 DTU - Technical University of Denmark Novo Nordisk Foundation #womenshistorymonth #biotechnology #sustainability

👏 We are happy to announce that Professor Pablo Ivan Nikel from The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain) has been selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology! 👏 The Academy is the honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology, recognizing excellence, originality, service, and leadership in the microbial sciences. Fellows are all esteemed leaders in the field, providing authoritative insights on critical microbiological challenges. Pablo shares: "Being elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology is a big honor and a recognition of scientific excellence — the 'cherry on the cake' for every microbiologist's career. I am proud to join this prestigious community to help advance applied microbiology both here in Denmark and globally."🌍 At DTU Biosustain, we are incredibly proud of Pablo’s contributions to sustainable synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. His pioneering research is shaping the future of sustainable bioproduction, and this Fellowship is a well-deserved recognition of his impact. Congratulations, Pablo! 👏 #biotechnology #sustainability #engineering #biology Novo Nordisk Foundation DTU - Technical University of Denmark

“Omnia mea mecum porto” – Everything I own, I carry with me. “I heard this from my parents for as long as I can remember,” Dina Petranovic PhD EMBA says. “It means that what truly belongs to you isn’t material, but what you carry within—your character, wisdom and knowledge.” Dina grew up surrounded by research. Her parents, both scientists, met in the lab, and when kindergarten closed for the day, little Dina made her way to their research institute, down the street. At first, the cleaning staff looked after her. Later, the technical team gave her small tasks. And by primary school, she was counting bacteria and helping with experiments. "I never questioned whether I belonged in a lab. It was just part of family life, and it was fun!"   At home, science, history, religion, art- everything was discussed and analysed: “My parents and I would often read and then tell each other what we had learned. I remember that no matter how young I was, my thoughts, opinions and feelings mattered. I was heard and acknowledged. " That, more than anything, shaped her. "I guess that atmosphere at home gave me confidence and sparked a passion for learning, which eventually led me to STEM- with a little inspiration from Carl Sagan," Dina recalls. She never thought about ambition. "I just wanted to learn more. If I had been a rich heir, I would have been a life-long student." But her father reminded her that she would eventually need a job and pay the bills. Science, she realized, was a way to be both a professional learner and make a living out of it.   "This worked out pretty well for me and I have never regretted being a scientist."   From Zagreb to Paris to Denmark, Sweden, USA and back to Denmark, she built a career focusing on the drive to understand and to contribute. “Success to me is being with kind, smart people, doing something meaningful together,” she says. "It’s about having the freedom to step back, reflect on what matters, and create an environment where others thrive and contribute.” Today, as Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Partnerships Officer at The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain), Dina leads scientists from 42 countries working at the frontier of biotechnology.   She has helped build a place where research translates into real-world impact – in an environment where expertise, creativity and collaboration come together. “The challenge of a better future isn’t just a scientific one. It’s about rethinking how we grow, manufacture, and live, and that will require many different talents”, says Dina.   “What I carry within me—in the context of my work, knowledge, experience, networks - is hopefully valuable to creating a prosperous, sustainable and safe world."🌍   March is #WomensHistoryMonth honoring women who dedicate their lives to drive meaningful change. We celebrate women like Dina, who turn knowledge into impact for a better world.👏 DTU - Technical University of Denmark Novo Nordisk Foundation

Master the science of sustainability assessment in three days! How sustainable are bio-based products—really? Measuring their true impact requires the right tools and methodologies.   Join our three-day course on Sustainability Assessment of Bio-Based Products to gain: ✅ Fundamental insights into bio-based production, supply chains, and life cycles ✅ Practical skills in assessing environmental, societal, and economic impacts using LCA & TEA ✅ Strategic know-how to translate sustainability data into real-world decision-making   Taught by expert researchers and industry professionals, this course is designed for academics, policymakers, and industry professionals looking to navigate sustainability with confidence.   🌱 Why does this matter? "Everyone wants to measure sustainability, but it’s not as simple as it seems. True sustainability assessment goes beyond labels—it requires a structured approach to evaluate environmental, societal, and economic impacts. This course will equip you with the essential tools and methodologies to critically assess bio-based products, validate sustainability claims, and make informed decisions, says Dr. Sumesh Sukumara, Course host & Senior Researcher at The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain) He continues: "At DTU Biosustain, we are committed to sharing our expertise and enabling professionals across industries to drive meaningful change."🌍 Course dates: 4th -6th March 2025 Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/dB6URDpE DTU - Technical University of Denmark Novo Nordisk Foundation #sustainability #biotechnology

🎉Today we are celebrating Ana, Renata, Colleen and Lei —and women in science all over the world!🎉 Today, on International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate our excellent scientists here at The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain) who are driving innovation in biotechnology and sustainability.🌍 Among them are Ana Calheiros de Carvalho, Renata Sigrist, Colleen Manyumwa, PhD, and Lei Yang—women who are finding new solutions to the challenges we are facing. 🍄 Ana: Rethinking farming with fungi "As a child, I was always asking 'why.' I was curious about how everything works, and that led me to pursue a career in science," says Ana. Now, she studies fungi and their ability to produce natural compounds that could replace harmful pesticides. "Fungi have evolved their own sophisticated ways of defending themselves. I explore the potential of these microorganisms and their natural compounds to find sustainable alternatives to pesticides. My goal is to create more environmentally friendly solutions so we can reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture.” 🧪 Renata: Unlocking nature’s chemistry "From a young age, I was taken by the dream of finding the cure for cancer, and that led me to study chemistry," says Renata. Now, she is working with Streptomyces, bacteria that produce a vast diversity of bioactive compounds with enormous potential: “My research contributes to developing sustainable solutions that can address some global challenges. I focus on biosynthetic gene clusters high throughput cloning and discovering of new molecules," she explains.“As we face increasing environmental degradation and antibiotic resistance, finding new natural products could be a key to innovative solutions.” 🌍 Colleen: Turning CO₂ into a resource " My passion for science was initially sparked by my high school biology teacher, whose love for biotechnology was truly contagious, says Colleen. She works on biological CO₂ capture, developing systems that convert emissions into valuable materials: " What excites me most about my research in CO₂ capture is how biological systems can be engineered to address global challenges, from waste reduction to greener industrial processes. I seek to reduce human impact on ecosystems and find ways to work in harmony with nature rather than against it." 🧬 Lei: Engineering biology for a sustainable future "I develop protein-based solutions for sustainable food, materials, and agricultural applications to replace fossil-based processes, says Lei. Her work in synthetic biology focuses on optimizing bioproduction to make biotech solutions scalable and cost-efficient, ensuring they have real-world impact. " I think collaborating with researchers from different backgrounds helps push the boundaries of my research by asking unconventional questions and exploring new approaches." #Internationaldayofwomenandgirlsinscience DTU - Technical University of Denmark Novo Nordisk Foundation

We are joining forces with TotalEnergies to advance carbon capture! We believe the road to a sustainable future requires innovation, bold scientific advancements and impactful industry collaboration.🌍 That’s why we are happy to announce that the Bacterial Signal Transduction Group at The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain) has received support from TotalEnergies for a collaboration project to scale up a biomineralization platform for biological CO₂ capture! By harnessing bacteria to convert CO₂ into valuable biominerals like calcium carbonate, the partnership offers a pathway to lower emissions, enhance industrial efficiency, and drive the transition towards a circular carbon economy. Applications span industries from cement production to paper and pulp manufacturing, where sustainable alternatives are urgently needed. And so last week we welcomed TotalEnergies to DTU Biosustain for a kickstart meeting to align on goals, scaling strategies and the roadmap ahead. Colleen Manyumwa, PhD from DTU Biosustain shares: "This grant allows us to refine biological CO₂ capture, optimize bacterial processes, and integrate with industrial waste streams. We think it is an exciting step towards making scalable, sustainable carbon sequestration a reality." 👏Big congratulations Ivan Mijakovic, Colleen Manyumwa, PhD, Carsten Jers, Dina Petranovic PhD EMBA, Gregor Giebel and from TotalEnergies: Nathalie Mourot, Henrik Tirsgaard, LARS OBERBECK, Christoph Sachs, Stephane Jouenne and Frederic Febvre👏 DTU-TotalEnergies Excellence Centre of Clean Energy (DTEC) DTU - Technical University of Denmark Novo Nordisk Foundation #sustainability #greentransition

👏 Big congratulations to our Chief Science Officer (CSO) and Chief Partnerships Officer (CPO), Dina Petranovic PhD EMBA at The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain), on her new additional role as Senior Executive Advisor to the Provost of DTU - Technical University of Denmark, Christine Nellemann.👏 In this new capacity, Dina will bring her deep expertise and extensive international networks to support DTU’s leadership in strengthening relationships with strategic partners, collaborators, and donors. Dina says: "I am very much looking forward to bringing my expertise and networks to help the leadership fulfill DTU’s important strategy—to drive sustainable change through technology and innovation. It will also be a pleasure to collaborate even more closely with Christine and the team, whom I have known for several years through many projects we collaborated on." Christine Nellemann, DTU's Provost, warmly welcomes Dina to the new role: "Dina’s experience and strategic mindset make her an invaluable asset to DTU. Her ability to connect talented people and ideas will be instrumental as we work toward a more sustainable future through cutting-edge science and strong partnerships. I am very happy to work with her and look forward to what we will accomplish together.” #sustainability #leadership #technology #greentransition      

Plant-based meat is not winning over meat lovers yet- but we are working on a solution! Plant-based meat has long been celebrated as the future of sustainable eating—a promising alternative to the environmental toll of livestock farming. But here’s the reality: it currently occupies only 1.3% of the global meat retail market. The biggest roadblock? Taste and texture. Despite impressive advances in plant-based innovation, many consumers still find these alternatives lacking. While flavors can be enhanced using heme or other additives, the texture often feels… off. Because unlike animal meat, plant proteins don’t naturally replicate the fibrous structure, tenderness, or juiciness that make conventional meat appealing to many. But what if we could change that? At the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain), we are now working on a solution. Led by Scientific Lead Lei Yang and Senior Researcher Sumesh Sukumara, a new project funded by the Novo Nordisk foundation is leveraging precision fermentation to reimagine plant-based meat. “Creating the perfect texture is the ultimate challenge for plant-based meat,” says Lei Yang. “But through precision fermentation, we can replicate the fibrous proteins found in animal muscle—like collagen—to deliver an eating experience that doesn’t just match traditional meat but could potentially surpass it.” This innovative approach focuses on producing microbially derived proteins that mimic the properties of animal proteins. These fibrous proteins are essential to achieving the chewiness, tenderness and cohesiveness that define the sensory appeal of meat. By integrating these proteins into plant-based products, the aim is to create alternatives that don’t just look or taste like meat but feel like it too. Group Leader and Senior Researcher Sumesh Sukumara emphasizes the broader sustainability significance of this work: “Precision fermentation opens up new possibilities to design an environmentally sustainable alternative, however its affordability has been in question. The solution will be optimized with in-line Techno-economic and environmental life cycle impact assessments.” #sustainability #biotechnology #food #precisionfermentation #biobasedfuture Novo Nordisk Foundation DTU - Technical University of Denmark

📣 Executive opportunity: Lead innovation in biotechnology for sustainable impact and the green transition DTU - Technical University of Denmark invites an extraordinary leader to take charge of a groundbreaking opportunity: to shape the future of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (NNF BRIGHT). Situated at the heart of Denmark’s world-renowned innovation ecosystem at Campus of DTU, NNF BRIGHT is uniquely placed to address and tackle one of the most urgent challenges of our time—the climate crisis. With 20 million EUR in annual core funding, over 300 talented researchers, and state-of-the-art facilities, this research center is primed to deliver scalable solutions that turn visionary science into transformative global impact. This is more than a leadership role—it’s your chance to steer a world-leading research center at the forefront of the green transition: ✅ Set the agenda: Define and implement NNF BRIGHT’s strategic vision, ensuring groundbreaking research translates into measurable sustainability outcomes. ✅ Champion innovation: Drive high-impact research missions, forge global partnerships, and position the research center as a pioneer in industrial biotechnology ✅ Foster excellence: Cultivate a culture of multidisciplinary collaboration, empowering a diverse team to deliver mission-based results that set new standards. ✅ Engage globally: Represent NNF BRIGHT on the international stage, working with academia, industry, and policymakers to advance impactful solutions. With the green transition gaining momentum, #biotechnology has the power to revolutionize industries, influence policy, and create a sustainable bioeconomy. At NNF BRIGHT, you’ll have the tools, talent, and platform to drive this transformation and leave a legacy of global significance.🌍 Who we’re looking for We’re seeking a leader who combines strategic vision with scientific excellence:   ✅ Proven leadership: A history of leading large-scale, international research organizations with proven scientific and societal impact. ✅ Visionary thinking: Expertise in defining ambitious goals and fostering collaborations that drive real-world results. ✅Global perspective: A skilled network builder with strong connections across academia, industry and government. ✅ Sustainability champion: Passionate about addressing climate challenges through innovative and scalable biotechnological solutions. Seize this rare opportunity The moment is now. NNF BRIGHT offers unparalleled resources (> 140Mio EUR for 2025-31 with an option for extension) and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to influence the future of industrial biotechnology. Application deadline: February 2, 2025 Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/dcbqEKKh Novo Nordisk Foundation #greentransition #sustainability