The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (NCERC at SIUE) is investing in the future of biorenewables research in order to expand its capabilities and client offerings.
In NCERC's research laboratories, all of the additions will serve one purpose: microorganism gene editing. These additions will enable NCERC to conduct research at DNA levels, such as expressing certain genes in microorganisms or modifying a certain microorganism's chromosome DNA. They will also enable NCERC to conduct protein-related research, such as protein expression and testing.
The following are additions to the NCERC's research labs: an Electroporation System in order to insert genes into microorganism cells, a Gel electrophoresis + imaging system to verify gene expression in microorganisms, a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine to amplify genes, a Nanodrop - Spectrophotometer in uL drops (DNA concentrations), and a Laminar Fume Hood to provide a microorganism-free environment
NCERC's engineers are also in the process of enhancing the bioprocessing capabilities of its Fermentation/Cultivation Suite with several new additions to the facility.
Another pharmaceutical-grade, steam-sterilizable bioreactor to the seed train will find a home in NCERC's Fermentation Suite. This new 400 liter reactor will allow NCERC staff to screen and process difficult feedstocks that contain unfermentable solids.
To facilitate the cultivation of our clients' proprietary organisms, NCERC is adding new oxygen aeration/blending systems for the 150, 400 and 1500 liter seed train bioreactors. Reactor exhaust gas analytics for carbon dioxide and oxygen will be integrated with the new aeration equipment gas flow data to determine an organism's respiratory requirements.
NCERC will see the addition of a new clean out of place (COP) system for the Fermentation Suite from a commercial kitchen equipment manufacturer. This will enable NCERC staff to facilitate hygienic cleaning of other equipment not serviced by the CIP or SIP (clean in place/steam in place) methods.
The Fermentation Suite will also house a new product drying system. The equipment is a pharmaceutical-grade, vacuum tray dryer/impregnator with 125 cubic feet of shelf space. The unit will dry difficult materials such as liquids or solids that can be placed in the drying trays. The advantage of the new vacuum dryer is that due to the vacuum being applied to the drying process, lower drying temperatures are used to mitigate degradation to the product. It is typical for the system to dry the product to less than 1% moisture. The tray dryer is equipped with 30, 40"x14" trays, which will allow for approximately 20 cubic feet of materials (150 gal./560 liters) to be dried at once. The impregnator function allows the introduction of an inert gas such as nitrogen after the drying process completes to allow the product to absorb the inert gas to prevent product degradation.
