Once the technology has Impact Objectives been introduced, the main goal of ELY4OFF • Develop new engineering methods and tools is the development and • Apply them to solve foundational and applied problems in synthetic biology demonstration of an autonomous off-grid electrolysis system linked to renewable energy sources Project Insights Engineering biology FUNDING This project has received funding from Dr Guy-Bart Stan leads a diverse research group of scientists and engineers working on introducing control the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint engineering in synthetic biology. Here, he introduces himself and his team, outlines the nature of their work, Undertaking under grant agreement and highlights the importance of working across disciplines and with industry no. 700359 of renewable energy sources. ‘PEMWE Following this, a new iteration of the business PARTNERS To begin, can you and regulatory mechanisms governing Our group strives to engage with industry to Aragon Hydrogen Foundation (Spain) has showed capabilities in the emerging development plan will be organised by share a little about genetic circuits in order to describe their understand which technological innovations • ITM Power (UK) • INYCOM (Spain) • hydrogen scenarios to be a valid alternative to September 2018, six months prior to the EPIC POWER (Spain) • CEA TECH (France) your own research operation in terms of rigorous mathematical will have the most practical and beneficial previously developed technologies, especially project’s conclusion. interests and and computational models as is done impact on society. As an example, we are considering the dynamic and versatile CONTACT background? for example in electronics for complex currently running a project for the optimised operation expected of hydrogen production In addition, over the remaining months of Pedro Casero circuits. We then use these models to production of high-value recombinant methods when integrated with renewable the project, the researchers will spend time Project Head I am fascinated rigorously analyse, design, optimise and proteins in bacterial hosts for which the energy sources,’ Casero elaborates. ‘Off-grid investigating current regulations, codes and by the possibility of engineering biology implement novel biological systems in initial project formulation was pieced electrolysis and hydrogen storage have the standards, with an aim to identifying barriers T: +34 974215258 in a way akin to what has happened for living cells (e.g. gene regulatory networks, together after consultation with a leading E: [email protected] key advantage of being able to manage both to be overcome. The ELY4OFF team will also highly complex physical systems in other metabolic pathways, whole-cell biosensors, UK-based synthetic biology company. W: http://ely4off.eu/ the long- and short-term transient variations devote time to designing system capabilities engineering fields, such as aeronautics, biomolecular feedback systems). We in renewable supply, whereas batteries cannot to run off-grid and studying business information technology or advanced are also interested in characterising and Finally, how do you disseminate and share BIO manage the seasonal variations unless very cases and scenarios for where the off-grid Pedro Casero holds an MSc in Mechanical robotics. I started my career as an electronic predicting the interactions between cells and the results from your work? large battery stores are specified.’ electrolysis system could be an enabler. Engineering from the University of engineer. I then spent some time as an the engineered genetic systems they host. Zaragoza, Spain. He has more than 15 applied mathematician, with a PhD focused One of the most effective methods of Electrolysis enables excess renewable energies RENEWABLE RESEARCH years of experience in the field of R&D on complex systems. After a stint at Philips Can you talk a little about the sharing the group’s work is through to be transformed into hydrogen and stored. According to Casero, the ELY4OFF project is in the energy sector while working in the Applied Technologies in Belgium, where I interdisciplinary nature of your research and scientific collaborations and publications. This means that when there is a deficit of progressing well. ‘Technical partners have R&D Department in the Puertollano IGCC worked as Senior Digital Signal Processing why this is an important approach? We collaborate with different research Demo Plant, where he developed projects renewable energies, it can be converted developed their parts in their premises based on Engineer, I returned to academic research, groups wherever possible. This is not only in the field of CO2 capture, H2 production, into electricity to cover this demand. A key the specifications agreed at the beginning of the biomass gasification and process first as a Postdoctoral Research Associate Our group is composed of researchers with vital for strengthening our interdisciplinarity, advantage of hydrogen in this context is that it project – for example, power electronics by EPIC optimisation. He joined Aragon Hydrogen in the Control Group of the Department of expertise ranging from biological sciences, but also helps in opening our research to has a higher energy density, which means it can POWER and an electrolyser by ITM Power,’ he Foundation in 2016 and is currently the Engineering at the University of Cambridge, such as molecular biology and biochemistry, the wider scientific community, either accumulate much more energy in less space. elaborates. ‘In Spring 2018, transport to the Innovation Area Manager where projects and then as Principal Investigator and to engineering, computer science and through joint projects, publications, or demonstration site at Huesca and integration based on bringing hydrogen technologies permanent member of staff in the applied mathematics. Each researcher academic/general audience events. We ROADMAP TO SUCCESS with the peripheral elements developed by closer to the market are developed. Department of Bioengineering at Imperial brings a unique perspective and a different also maintain a strong presence at broad The project recently created its first business FHA are expected. Finally, the control and College London. My return to academia was skillset on how to approach the scientific audience events; this in turn helps people development plan, which provides a clear communication system developed by INYCOM motivated by my urge to apply my systems questions and bioengineering challenges from a variety of backgrounds to become roadmap to follow over the next few months. will take control of the whole system.’ and control engineering knowledge to one we are facing. This mix of educational familiar with our research. For example, The initial stage is defining the scope of the of the biggest engineering challenges of backgrounds and problem-solving skills one talk was at the Mathematical project, which will be followed by a raw cost The team believes that the solution being our time: biology. produces a very stimulating and creative Biosciences Institute at Ohio State analysis of materials. Subsequently, market implemented in the ELY4OFF project will environment for everyone, which allows University, USA, in October 2017, where research will be performed, involving four be market ready in 2020. From there, it can You head the Control Engineering Synthetic us to undertake complex and ambitious we presented our recent efforts to engineer or five potential customers comprising be implemented as an off-grid storage Biology group at Imperial College London. multidisciplinary projects. living E. coli cells that exhibit improved renewable energy manufacturers, public system coupled to renewable energy, What are its key aims? robustness and performance during authorities, chemical plants, countries with becoming an enabler for increased Do you collaborate with industry in your synthetic network operations (you can watch isolated areas, owners and end users, and renewable energy penetration in member One of our chief aims is obtaining a work? How do you ensure the outcomes the talk at: https://mbi.osu.edu/video/ off-grid installation operators and services. states to the European Commission. thorough understanding of the dynamics have practical application? player/?id=4377). 76 www.impact.pub www.impact.pub 77 Designing and controlling synthetic biology systems In the Centre for Synthetic Biology at Imperial College London, the Control Engineering Synthetic Biology group is working to produce solutions to some of the most important challenges of our time In essence, synthetic biology aims to engineer BIOTECHNICAL SYSTEMS implementing novel control mechanisms that biology. Similar to how classic engineering It is with the above in mind that the Control aim to automatically regulate the behaviour disciplines such as mechanical and electrical Engineering Synthetic Biology group was of a genetic system to meet our design engineering employ knowledge from maths established. Led by Dr Guy-Bart Stan and objectives.’ These novel control mechanisms and physics to rationally design, model and based at Imperial College London, UK, the can be thought of as similar to a thermostat; build mechanical and electronic systems, group’s research focuses on exploring the just as a thermostat can detect discrepancies synthetic biology aims to rationally design modelling, analysis and design of biotechnical between the desired temperature and and implement novel biological systems in
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