PHA production

Applications closed

Applicants with skills/experience in bioprocess engineering or biotechnology are encouraged to apply

Academic Lead: Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen

School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland

Industry Lead: Dr Katie Macintosh

The biotechnology for commercial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) is still somewhat constrained by the challenges with maintaining a pure culture of PHA accumulating organisms.

This project considers the use of halophiles – organisms with high salt tolerance – allowing for bioproduction in highly saline conditions, which precludes contamination without the requirement for sterilisation.

This project is developed in partnership with the City of Gold Coast, with the view to establishing an economy for sugarcane to PHA.