Research carried out by UAB Biocentras with support from the European Union’s HORIZON 2020, LIFE, Seventh Framework Programme and the ERDF.
Research to optimise a technological model for the bioremediation of PAH-contaminated railway sleeper wood and to apply it in field conditions (in situ and ex situ): white-rot fungi that degrade benzo[a]pyrene and their consortia, phytoremediation, compost quality assessment and testing of a mock-up of the new technology. In Lithuania alone, about 30,000 unusable sleepers (2,000 t) are generated every year.
Project presentation
The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund under measure No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718, activity “Research by high-level research groups aimed at producing results relevant to the R&D topics of economic sectors that could later be commercialised”.
The project is carried out by Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) together with its partner UAB Biocentras.
Today, technology does not yet allow all wooden sleepers to be replaced with reinforced concrete ones, so sleeper management will remain relevant for more than 15 years. The problem is global and exists in many countries. Under the requirements of Commission Directive 2001/90/EC (EUR-LEX-3200120090-LT), such waste cannot be used directly as fuel, compost or for other products without additional treatment. Such sleepers can only be incinerated as hazardous waste, with the ash then disposed of accordingly. This technology is extremely expensive, so there is a need to solve the problem economically and safely from the point of view of the environment and public health.
As railway networks are highly developed in Western Europe, North and South America and Australia, this problem will persist worldwide for another 15–20 years, until the transition to new technologies, with only reinforced concrete sleepers used or effective less toxic impregnants developed. Wood contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a serious environmental problem, as most PAHs are toxic and can cause cancer. Every year, about 30,000 sleepers (2,000 t) of sleeper wood waste are generated in Lithuania, 0.5–1 million t in Europe and 2.85 million t of unusable sleepers worldwide.
The subject of this project is research into the optimisation, application and effectiveness of a technological model for the bioremediation of sleeper wood in field conditions (in situ and ex situ).
The project will assess the shredding of sleeper wood and its preparation for bioremediation and the differences in the chemical composition of used sleepers, and will introduce and validate methods for determining the levels of polycyclic aromatic compounds in sleepers. It will study, in vitro and ex situ (in field conditions), the white-rot fungi and their consortia that best degrade benzo[a]pyrene and various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and will optimise the media for growing the consortia developed. It will select the conditions and methods for the biological degradation of benzo[a]pyrene, optimise cultivation technologies in field conditions and assess the effectiveness of the treatment technology. Plants will be selected to assess phytoremediation, a compost quality assessment methodology will be developed and the suitability of the secondary raw material obtained after bioremediation for composting will be assessed. Secondary bioremediation using plants will be carried out. A mock-up of the new technology will be tested and technological documentation prepared.
Three prototype preparations based on S. cerevisiae polysaccharides are being developed: the telomerase-inhibiting ImunoM-T, the adjuvant ImunoM-A and ImunoM-S, which stimulates anti-infective functions. The active substance is produced under the international patent WO2015159134 A1.
To implement the project, UAB Biocentras and its partner UAB Biotechnologinė platforma are allocating at least EUR 379,738.09 of their own funds. Up to EUR 344,291.05 (excl. VAT) of European Union funds is allocated to the project.
Brief presentation of the project idea
During the project, two products with no equivalents on world markets are planned: a prototype preparation that inhibits the telomerase enzyme and stops the growth of malignant cells (ImunoM-T), a prototype adjuvant that promotes immunisation of the body with antigens and/or vaccines (ImunoM-A), and one product that is new at market level – a preparation intended to stimulate the immune system and promote the body’s anti-infective function (ImunoM-S).
Brief presentation of these products
ImunoM-T – a prototype preparation that inhibits the telomerase enzyme and stops the growth of malignant cells. The active substance consists of fractions of a complex of S. cerevisiae polysaccharides of different molecular weights, produced under patent WO2015159134 A1.
ImunoM-A – a prototype adjuvant that promotes immunisation of the body with antigens/vaccines. The active substance is a complex of S. cerevisiae polysaccharide molecules of different sizes.
ImunoM-S – a prototype preparation that modulates the immune system and stimulates anti-infective functions. The active substance consists of fractions of a complex of S. cerevisiae polysaccharides of different molecular sizes, produced under the international patent WO2015159134 A1.
Institution providing financial support
The project is funded under measure No. J05-LVPA-K “Intelektas. Bendri verslo ir mokslo projektai” (Intellect. Joint business and science projects) of Priority 1 “Promoting research, experimental development and innovation” of the 2014-2020 Operational Programme for the European Union Funds Investments in Lithuania.
A biorefinery concept for the complete use of lignocellulosic biomass, based solely on green technologies: ultrasonic treatment, mild CO₂ degradation of hemicellulose and enzymatic recovery of sugars.
Brief presentation of the project idea
US4GREENCHEM aims to design a biorefinery concept for the complete valorization of lignocellulosic biomass that is energy- and cost- efficient and based solely on green technologies. The concept combines mechanical pretreatment of the substrate with the aid of ultrasound to overcome its recalcitrance and disrupt inhibitors with mild CO2 hemicellulose degradation and with the enzymatic recovery of sugars and technologies for the valorization of the byproducts released in the process.
In situ demonstration of an integrated technology for treating hydrocarbon-contaminated soil: the SORBENT system, a bacterial preparation and phyto-restoration.
The successful SORBENT project produced a low-cost integrated technology for treating hydrocarbon-contaminated soil that uses three separate components: the SORBENT system, the SORBENT bacterial preparation and phyto-restoration. The aim of the SORBENT-DEMO project is therefore to demonstrate this SORBENT soil remediation technology for the in situ treatment of soil contaminated with mixtures of heavy hydrocarbons.
A demonstration wastewater treatment unit with a capacity of 5,000 dm³/h that removes 97–99% of hydrocarbons and fats.
Research to develop a proteolytic enzyme complex with unique properties (collagenase, elastase and peptidase activity) for innovative medical devices and cosmetic products — for the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds and for gentle skin cleansers.
To carry out research to develop a proteolytic enzyme complex with unique properties for use in innovative medical devices and cosmetic products.
Structural funds project publicity: in 2012, Biocentras scientists completed the development of a prototype new biological product (a proteolytic enzyme complex). This enzyme complex has proteolytic, peptidase and elastase activity and, above all, collagenase activity.
Having analysed the current situation in the biotechnology market and assessed its capabilities, Biocentras decided to expand its research and production infrastructure and its product range with new, higher value-added red biotechnology products. Because they can work under mild (physiological) conditions and are exceptionally selective, enzymes can be successfully used in the production of cosmetic and medical preparations.
Funding for this work was received from the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union. Eligible project costs are up to LTL 1,989,118.00, excluding VAT, including support of up to LTL 895,103.00; UAB Biocentras will contribute no less than LTL 635,677.00.
Project implementation began on 31 October 2013 and is planned to be completed by 30 September 2015. The project is implemented without partners.
The project is implemented under the operational programme VP2 “Economic Growth Operational Programme” (priority VP2-1 “Research and technological development for business competitiveness and economic growth”, objective VP2-1.3 “To increase R&D activity in the private sector”, implementation measure “Intelektas LT”).
The project will develop a technology for the biosynthesis of proteolytic enzymes and a method for purifying the enzymes, identify the active substance and carry out stability studies, as well as determine the composition of the products being developed and carry out preclinical and clinical studies.
Purified collagenase will be used as the main active substance in preparations for treating chronic, hard-to-heal wounds of various aetiologies (pressure ulcers, venous or diabetic ulcers and severe burns), for the selective removal of necrotic (dead) tissue without damaging granulation tissue. Using a collagenase preparation would make it possible to remove non-viable tissue at cellular level and would promote wound healing by speeding up the transition from the inflammatory to the proliferative phase. In addition, bacteria that have entered the wound are removed more easily together with dead tissue, which also reduces the risk of infection. The likelihood of scarring is also reduced.
Purified collagenase is also intended for use in developing a new type of cosmetic skin cleanser based on an entirely different principle of action. Because collagenase acts selectively only on denatured collagen, only damaged dead cells in the stratum corneum will be gently cleansed away, without damaging the deeper layers of the skin.
The project will produce prototypes of cosmetic-pharmaceutical and medical preparations and experimental samples. Production of the preparations developed is planned to start 4–5 years after the project is completed.
Institution providing financial support: European Union Regional Development Fund (measure VP2.1.3-ŪM-02-K-04-086 “Intelektas LT”)
The project is implemented without partners
A research centre for the microencapsulation of biologically active products was set up to develop new-generation preparations with a controlled structure and their commercially applicable forms, including the encapsulation of live microorganisms.
Brief presentation of the project idea:
During the project, a research centre for the microencapsulation of biologically active products will be set up to develop technologies for biologically active preparations and commercially applicable forms of the new prototype preparations currently developed by the company.
Structural funds project publicity:
Biocentras has developed a whole range of biologically active preparations (BAPs) and their prototypes. However, even the use of commercial prototypes is limited by insufficient stability of the preparations and, consequently, limited effectiveness. The company’s scientists have now prepared a microencapsulation concept that would make it possible to create new-generation BAPs with a controlled structure, selective permeability and the desired electrostatic, hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties. Applying this concept would also make it possible to develop a new BAP immobilisation technology that would allow the properties of the capsule shell to be changed.
Although the viability of the concept has been confirmed, further research is limited by the lack of suitable R&D infrastructure. The company intends to set up a centre to develop BAP immobilisation technologies and commercially applicable forms of the experimental BAP prototypes currently developed by the company.
As Biocentras has many years of experience in developing new technologies and products, the new knowledge generated at the R&D centre will be easily integrated into technologies for developing new products and new forms of existing products, including through the encapsulation of live microorganisms. Once new capsule structures have been developed, the company plans to develop industrial processes and produce experimental and production prototypes of new encapsulated biologically active products.
Funding for setting up the research centre for the microencapsulation of biologically active products was received from the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union. Eligible project costs are LTL 1,407,325.00, excluding VAT, including support of up to LTL 985,127.00; Biocentras will contribute no less than LTL 422,198.00 to the project. Project implementation began on 1 October 2012 and is planned to be completed by 31 March 2015.
The project is implemented under measure VP2-1.3-ŪM-03-K “Intelektas LT+” of Priority 1 “Research and technological development for business competitiveness and economic growth” of the Economic Growth Operational Programme VP2.
The project is implemented without partners
A modern heat production technology based on biotechnological methods that minimises emissions of harmful products during combustion.
A demonstration pilot plant for processing livestock waste into fertilisers was built.
