Biotechnology and bioprocess engineering
We develop sustainable biological processes that efficiently convert bioresources into high-value products, including biofuels, chemicals, biopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, using a range of advanced experimental and computational methods.
Expertise in developing sustainable integrated technologies with commercial potential.
One of the largest and longest-standing power systems groups, covering wide aspects of power engineering.
Four spin-out companies developed, turning research into commercial products.
Creating multidisciplinary approaches to bioprocess innovation
We bring together chemical and process engineering, industrial biotechnology, molecular and systems biology, and bioinformatics to develop new bioprocesses, bioproducts and medicines from renewable sources.
Our multidisciplinary approach supports more sustainable and economically viable production while helping conserve resources and prevent pollution.
Behind every complex equation and biological system we study a simple human goal: to create a healthier, cleaner world. We turn renewable resources into life-saving medicines and sustainable bioproducts, ensuring that the progress of today never compromises the environment of tomorrow.
Constantinos Theodoropoulos - Group Lead and Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Systems Engineering
Research
Our areas of research
Bioinformatics
We take an integrated approach by combining experimental and computational tools to analyse complex cellular data and streamline bioprocess design.
We leverage bioinformatics alongside genomics and proteomics to understand cell development, model biological pathways, and drive precision in biomanufacturing and diagnostic systems.
Complex fluid and microfluidics
We develop microfluidic and millifluidic bioreactors for the assessment of new biomaterials and drug delivery systems, including droplet-based microreactors for sustainable synthesis of nanomaterials.
Industrial biotechnology
Our work draws on a wide range of biomass sources, including agricultural and food waste, lignocellulosics, microalgae, and biorefinery by-products. Using efficient fermentation and novel separation processes, we develop and scale up bioprocesses to produce a range of biofuels, chemicals and other added-value products, including succinic acid, bioplastics, biosurfactants, biophenols and nutraceuticals.
Another focus is the production of biopharmaceuticals: new medicines that are too complex to synthesise using simple chemistry and must instead be produced through biological routes. This includes protein antibodies used to detect and treat a wide range of debilitating conditions. Alongside, this, our researchers also develop bespoke biosensing platforms for medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring, with a focus on drug delivery, in vivo sensing and continuous monitoring.
Molecular and systems biology
We optimise existing biochemical pathways that can be used in manufacturing, capitalising on a wealth of developments in cell development fields such as genomics and proteomics.
We exploit a large number of host systems and microorganisms – ranging from bacteria, yeasts, and fungi to algae and mammalian cells – to optimize both production rates and productivities.
Study with us
Your career in biotechnology and bioprocess engineering starts here!
We always have a number of exciting PhD projects available for top PhD applicants.
Browse through the projects available in our doctoral research section.
Connect with us
Our people
- Antonios Anastasiou - Lecturer in Chemical Engineering
- Robin Curtis - Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering
- Alexander Darlington - Senior Lecturer in Microbial Biotechnology
- Samuel De Visser - Reader in Computational Biocatalysis
- Alan Dickson - Professor of Biotechnology
- Peter Gardner - Professor of Analytical and Biomedical Spectroscopy
- Peter Martin - Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering
- Aline Miller - Professor of Biomolecular Engineering
- Marloes Peeters - Professor in Engineering Biology
- Constantinos Theodoropoulos - Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Systems Engineering
- Dongda Zhang - Lecturer in Process Systems Engineering and Machine Learning
Get in touch
Contact our team
If you’d like to discuss collaboration or explore our work in more detail, contact: