BioReact : Bioprocess Meets Ai

The global demand for healthier, natural sweeteners is on the rise, and Conagen brings its innovative precision #fermentation technology to the forefront of this challenge. Conagen is producing next-generation Reb M and Reb D steviol glycosides, which offer the sweetness of traditional sugar without the calories or bitter aftertaste typically associated with stevia products. What sets the company apart is their ability to produce these sweeteners sustainably and at scale. Instead of relying on conventional plant extraction, which is resource-intensive and limited by agricultural yields, Conagen’s technology enables the fermentation-based production of these steviol glycosides. This process not only makes it easier to produce large quantities efficiently but also drastically reduces the environmental footprint associated with sweetener production. Conagen’s sweeteners are ideal for industries like food & beverage, where there is increasing consumer demand for natural, low-calorie alternatives to sugar. Products made with Reb M and Reb D provide the desired sweetness while supporting clean-label trends—important factors for companies looking to offer healthier, sugar-free or reduced-sugar products. With its advanced microbial engineering, Conagen is driving the future of sweetener innovation, helping manufacturers lower calorie counts without sacrificing taste. As consumer preferences shift towards more health-conscious choices, Conagen’s sustainable solutions are poised to make a lasting impact on the food industry. #bioprocessing #biotech #BioReact

The cell therapy industry is facing a critical challenge: how to efficiently scale production while keeping costs down. Cellares is addressing this head-on with its groundbreaking Cell Shuttle platform, designed to transform how cell therapies are manufactured at scale. The Cell Shuttle is a fully automated, end-to-end system that handles the entire cell therapy manufacturing process— from loading starting materials to producing the final drug product. This platform utilizes a cartridge system, ensuring a closed, sterile environment throughout the workflow, reducing contamination risk and improving product consistency. The system significantly reduces cost of goods sold (COGS), production space, and manual labor requirements. By automating repetitive tasks, the platform not only boosts throughput but also frees up employees to focus on developing new therapies, rather than executing routine processes. This increased efficiency is critical for scaling up to meet the unmet demand for personalized cell therapies like CAR-T. With the Cell Shuttle, manufacturers can reduce costs, accelerate timelines, and ensure more patients have access to life-saving treatments— all while empowering teams to drive innovation. Cellares is shaping the future of cell therapy manufacturing, and we’re excited to see their innovations continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. #celltherapy #automation #bioprocessing

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Cellibre is making waves in the world of sustainable biomanufacturing with a major boost from The National Institutes of Health (NIH)! The company has just been awarded a $2 million Phase 2 grant to advance its groundbreaking work in cannabinoid production through precision fermentation. Started in San Diego in 2019, Cellibre remains at the forefront of synthetic biology by tapping into the incredible potential of microorganisms. By genetically engineering yeast and other microbes, the company is producing high-demand cannabinoids like THCV and CBG. These compounds are being developed as prospective treatments for obesity, inflammation, and even cancer. This innovative approach could seriously revolutionize how we manufacture cannabinoids, driving down costs and reducing environmental impact. Dr. Spiros Kambourakis, Cellibre’s Chief Technology Officer, aptly describes their mission: "Cannabinoids have significant therapeutic benefits, but legacy agriculture-based manufacturing is fraught with challenges. Our precision fermentation platform addresses these issues by using biology to produce high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable cultured cannabinoids. In essence, we are deploying nature to tackle climate change, improve supply chain resilience, and enhance human wellness." With this NIH funding, Cellibre is not just scaling up its operations but also setting a new standard for how we think about sustainable manufacturing in the healthcare sector. Their innovation even extends beyond cannabinoids, impacting cosmetic and general wellness products as well. Here’s to a future where biotechnology leads the charge in creating a healthier, more sustainable world. Congratulations to the Cellibre team on this remarkable achievement! #syntheticbiology #bioprocessing #BioReact

We couldn't help ourselves.. 🥇 😂

Recycling might make you feel better about your plastic waste, but is it really doing the job? An astounding 75% of the 9.5 billion tons of plastic produced after 1950 have yet to decompose. Recycling efforts, while nobly aimed at reducing this problem, have proven limited in their reach, with only 9% of the plastic produced ever reaching the recycling plant. A major obstacle to the widespread adoption of recycling is the reduction in quality plastics undergo through the process, limiting the amount of material incorporated into new products. Additionally, some plastic waste items contain multiple types of plastic, which makes it harder or impossible for recycling plants to make use of them. Ironically, recycling is also remarkably inefficient, leading to massive energy loss and significant carbon emissions. Fortunately, Rhea's Factory is developing ML-powered protein design software intended to tackle all of these problems. The high-performing enzyme blends being designed by Rhea’s Factory will break down even the toughest plastics into high-quality building blocks comparable to those in fossil fuels. By targeting crystalline polymers, these enzymes will also decompose mixed and layered materials, greatly expanding the range of waste considered recyclable. Key Benefits of Rhea's Factory's Enzymatic Recycling: -Effective: breaks down plastics at a molecular level -Eco-friendly: operates with less energy, fewer emissions, and no harmful byproducts -High-quality: maintains plastic quality throughout processing -Versatile: can handle a wider range of plastics than other recycling methods Rhea's Factory is not just reducing waste; they are transforming it into a valuable resource, driving us ever-closer to the circular plastics economy. Learn more about Rhea's Factory here: https://lnkd.in/eKqeJ88n Follow BioReact for more updates: https://lnkd.in/euDrtDDc #sustainability #recycling #environment #BioReact

78% of Earth’s atmosphere is #nitrogen, but plants have direct access to precisely 0% of this essential nutrient in its gaseous form. This is why nitrogen has long been a mainstay in the toolkits of farmers around the globe. While nitrogen supplementation is generally effective at boosting crop yields, several key shortcomings prevent it from achieving its full potential. Whether it be from volatilization into gas, denitrification, or leaching, up to half of the nitrogen fertilizer farmers apply is never available to the crop. Pivot Bio’s Proven 40 has us wondering whether the status quo is due for some optimization. Proven 40 isn’t a nitrogen #fertilizer, but rather a microbe engineered to boost the ability of crops to absorb nitrogen. Use it as a direct application to seed or incorporate it in-furrow – with either method, these handy microbes take up residence on roots and start converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable nitrates. Proven 40 is so effective that nationwide field studies reported a 10% increase in crop yields when compared to standard grower practices! With the help of Proven 40, farmers can reduce costs as well as the environmental impact of fertilizer use. Not only does less fertilizer mean less runoff, but also reduced emissions of nitrous oxide – a win-win for farmers, consumer, and planet Earth! If you think it’s time to give your fields a tune-up, check out Pivot Bio for more information: https://lnkd.in/eAuZ8fKg Stay tuned for more updates from BioReact: https://lnkd.in/euDrtDDc

Let’s face it - it’s time to cut out the middleman. For humans around the world, fish are the among the most widely consumed sources of omega-3 oils, essential nutrients our bodies can’t produce. As it turns out, fish don’t produce these oils either, rather they derive it from the algae they consume. By the time it reaches us, omega-3s are less pure and must contend with the mercury found in wild fish. What if there was a way to simply harvest omega-3s directly from the algae that produce them in the first place? Veramaris has been doing just that since 2019. Incredibly, their algal oil is richer than natural fish sources by a factor of five, containing 65% DHA and EPA! Naturally, a company producing marine algal oil should be located in....Nebraska? As Veramaris’s entire upstream process takes place entirely in large-scale fermentors, it is entirely removed from the ocean – both geographically and in terms of environmental impact. This location also provides surprising logistical benefits, namely the proximity of locally-produced corn sugar, which they use as a carbon source. At Veramaris, algal oil production comes with yet another bonus – Veraferm. This coproduct of the algal oil manufacturing process, rich in protein and energy, is used as a cattle feed at farms local to the production plant. Not only does this remarkable company provide people with the omega-3s we need to lead healthy lives, but they are demonstrating positive environmental and community impacts! #sustainability #bioprocessing #aquaculture #BioReact Follow BioReact for more updates: https://lnkd.in/euDrtDDc 

Come join BioReact at the IBRI in Indianapolis on June 12th and learn how we're deploying AI models to bioprocess optimization and enabling scientists to use their data more effectively.

Palm oil is incredibly useful, and it seems that we find it in almost everything we consume. It's also extremely cheap, especially when compared to most of its competitors, such as coconut, corn, and soy oils. Toothpaste, peanut butter, cosmetics, soaps, and chocolates often contain this versatile product, but there is much more to palm oil than meets the eye. Industrialized agriculture of the oil palm has been implicated in #deforestation and severe reductions in local biodiversity in Africa, Asia, and Central America. To make matters worse, many palm plantations are home to exploitative labor systems, leaving workers with little capital and egregiously restricted personal freedom. Multiple companies, including Xylome , C16 Biosciences, and Kiverdi, Inc. are developing solutions to the palm oil crisis using the power of synthetic biology. By feeding engineered yeast corn syrup and other carbohydrate-based feedstocks, these companies can coax them into generating remarkably similar oils. Kiverdi is even working on a palm oil alternative derived from atmospheric carbon! Ideally, yeast oils will undercut the competitive price of palm oil while reproducing its physical and chemical properties. If the synthetic biology industry can pull this off, a rapid transition to the more sustainable alternative is expected. #bioprocessing #yeast #palmoil