A THRIVING INDUSTRY
Economic development
The SECRETed project contributes significantly to economic development, particularly within its target industries, by fostering sustainability and innovation. The project’s focus on developing bio-based surfactants and siderophores from marine and extremophilic microorganisms highlights that achieving sustainability does not have to be expensive. These biotechnological innovations will eventually offer, in the best-case scenario, eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based products, demonstrating cost-effectiveness through reduced environmental cleanup costs and enhanced efficiency in industrial applications. By promoting the use of renewable resources and reducing dependency on fossil fuels, the project aligns with global sustainability goals and industrial policy objectives.
Moreover, the SECRETed project paves the way for market expansion by creating opportunities for startups and local entrepreneurs. The project’s dissemination of innovative bio-based products has already sparked interest in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture. By lowering barriers to entry through collaborative efforts and shared knowledge, SECRETed facilitates the growth of new businesses that can leverage these sustainable technologies. This dynamic market environment encourages entrepreneurial ventures and fosters a culture of innovation, driving economic growth and diversification.
Creating a robust network of industry leaders and emerging actors is another critical aspect of the SECRETed project. By hosting workshops, conferences, and collaborative sessions, the project brings together experts from academia, industry, and government. These events promote knowledge exchange and foster partnerships, enhancing the overall innovation ecosystem. The resultant synergies lead to more effective research and development efforts, propelling the industrial biotechnology sector forward and ensuring the wide adoption of sustainable practices.
Finally, the SECRETed project is a catalyst for job creation in its target industries. The development of bio-based surfactants and siderophores needs a skilled workforce, creating high-quality jobs in research, production, and distribution. Furthermore, the emphasis on circular economy principles generates additional employment opportunities in recycling and waste management sectors. This job creation not only supports economic growth but also ensures the sustainability of industrial practices, contributing to long-term economic resilience.
Innovation
The technological component of the SECRETed project is centered around the innovative use of biotechnology to produce sustainable and high-value compounds, specifically biosurfactants and siderophores, derived from marine and extremophilic microorganisms; this involves several advanced biotechnological processes and techniques. These efforts not only promote sustainability but also drive innovation across multiple industrial sectors. Additionally, the SECRETed project leverages machine learning (ML) technologies to enhance its biotechnological processes, from discovery to optimization and application of bio-based compounds, exemplifying the integration of advanced computational techniques with biotechnology to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. These are the ways in which SECRETed is innovating in its field and reaching sustainability goals in the medium and long term:
Genomic and metabolic engineering
The project employs cutting-edge genomic and metabolic engineering to optimise the production of target compounds in selected microorganisms. This involves identifying and manipulating genes responsible for the biosynthesis of biosurfactants and siderophores, ensuring that the microorganisms can produce these compounds efficiently and at a scale suitable for industrial applications. Techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and synthetic biology are integral to these efforts.
Fermentation technology
Large-scale fermentation processes are utilised to cultivate the engineered microorganisms under controlled conditions. This technology is essential for producing biosurfactants and siderophores in sufficient quantities to meet industrial demands. The project focuses on optimising fermentation parameters, such as nutrient composition, temperature, and pH, to maximise yield and productivity.
Downstream processing and purification
After fermentation, the biosurfactants and siderophores must be extracted and purified. The project incorporates advanced downstream processing techniques, including filtration, chromatography, and crystallisation, to isolate the compounds from the fermentation broth. These processes are designed to be efficient and environmentally friendly, minimising waste and energy consumption.
Analytical and characterisation tools
Sophisticated analytical tools are employed to characterise the chemical structure and functional properties of the produced biosurfactants and siderophores. Techniques such as mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are used to ensure the quality and consistency of the compounds. These tools also help in understanding the mechanisms by which these compounds exert their beneficial effects in various applications.
Application development
The project also focuses on developing and testing applications for the biosurfactants and siderophores in various industries, including cosmetics, agriculture, and healthcare. This involves formulating these compounds into end-products and evaluating their performance in real-world scenarios. For instance, biosurfactants may be tested for their efficacy in cleaning products or as emulsifying agents in cosmetics, while siderophores may be evaluated for their role in enhancing plant growth or remediating contaminated soils.
Machine Learning as the backbone of the project
Machine learning algorithms are used to analyse large datasets generated from genomic and metagenomic sequencing of marine and extremophilic microorganisms. By processing this data, ML helps identify promising biosynthetic gene clusters that are responsible for the production of biosurfactants and siderophores. This accelerates the discovery of new strains and enhances the efficiency of metabolic engineering efforts.
In fermentation and downstream processing, ML models optimise various parameters such as nutrient composition, pH, temperature, and aeration rates to maximise yield and productivity. Predictive analytics based on historical data and real-time monitoring help in fine-tuning these processes to achieve optimal conditions for the growth of engineered microorganisms and the production of target compounds.
On the other hand, Machine learning is also employed in the application development phase. For instance, ML models can predict the performance of biosurfactants and siderophores in different formulations and environmental conditions. This predictive capability allows researchers to tailor these compounds for specific industrial applications, such as enhancing plant growth or improving soil health through bioremediation.
Advanced analytical techniques generate vast amounts of data on the chemical structure and properties of the produced biosurfactants and siderophores. Machine learning algorithms analyze this data to ensure consistency and quality. ML can identify patterns and anomalies that might be missed by traditional analytical methods, thereby enhancing the reliability of the final products.
And, finally, ML helps in evaluating the environmental impact of the biotechnological processes used in the project. By simulating different production scenarios and assessing their sustainability metrics, ML aids in developing more eco-friendly processes. This aligns with the project’s goal of reducing the environmental footprint of industrial activities.
Circular Economy Principles
The SECRETed Project exemplifies the principles of circular economy by focusing on sustainability, waste minimisation, and the efficient use of resources throughout its biotechnological processes. One of the core principles it tackles is the re-use of waste and by-products from other industries as raw materials to produce biosurfactants and siderophores. By transforming these waste materials into valuable bio-based compounds, the project not only reduces environmental pollution but also maximises resource efficiency. This aligns with the circular economy principle of designing out waste and pollution by turning what would be waste into new resources.
Another key principle of the circular economy addressed by the SECRETed Project is the extension of the lifecycle of products and materials. By developing biosurfactants and siderophores that are biodegradable and derived from renewable sources, the project ensures that these products can be reintegrated into the natural ecosystem without causing harm. This contrasts with traditional petroleum-based products that often contribute to long-term environmental damage. The biodegradability of these compounds ensures that they decompose naturally, reducing the accumulation of pollutants and supporting a more sustainable lifecycle for industrial products.
The project also enhances circularity by fostering industry connectedness and promoting a collaborative approach to sustainability. By bringing together various stakeholders, including research institutions, industry partners, and local communities, the SECRETed Project facilitates the sharing of knowledge, technologies, and best practices. This collaboration leads to the creation of a robust network that supports innovation and drives the adoption of circular economy principles across different sectors. The interconnectedness of industries helps in optimising resource flows and scaling up sustainable practices, ensuring that the benefits of the circular economy are widely realised.
Moreover, the SECRETed Project supports the development of a circular economy by integrating feedback loops into its processes. The project’s emphasis on continuous monitoring and optimisation through advanced technologies such as machine learning ensures that production processes are constantly refined to improve efficiency and reduce waste. This iterative approach allows for the identification and correction of inefficiencies, further enhancing resource utilisation and reducing environmental impact. By embedding these feedback mechanisms, the project creates a dynamic system that continually adapts and evolves, embodying the adaptive and regenerative nature of a circular economy.
How does SECRETed raise awareness in the industry
SECRETed is present at different fairs and events across Europe, with the purpose of networking and interacting with industry leaders and other key actors, to spread the word on what the project is about and collaborate with others to raise awareness on the importance of a sustainable industry.
SECRETed engages in thought leadership in social media through posts and articles about its goals and milestones, sharing its knowledge among industry professionals.
At SECRETed, we are conducting interviews and surveys to gather feedback from industry professionals and stakeholders, with the purpose of evaluating awareness of SECRETed’s products and solutions.
Dialogue with industry actors and other stakeholders: SECRETed is always looking for opportunities to connect with companies in the target industries and sectors, and with the community connected to these industries and sectors. Additionally, SECRETED has formed a cluster with Algae4IBD, MARBLES and InnCoCells projects, with the goal of addressing common challenges, jointly disseminate relevant information and coordinate communication activities. The A.I.M.S. cluster is all European funded under the same topic FNR-11-2020: Prospecting aquatic and terrestrial natural biological resources for biologically active compounds, and its activities add value to each project individually.
