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Agenda
Minsik's laboratory endeavors to establish a nexus between bioprocesses and metagenomes through the utilization of cutting-edge computational algorithms and statistical models. Given the inextricable connection between microbial activity and public health, arising from the realms of both the natural and constructed environments, it holds the potential to elucidate the viability of bioprocesses and their implications for our collective well-being. Step-by-step actions will be,
Some figures refer to Vieira et al., 2022, Gacesa et al., 2022, Lee et al., 2022, Berestecky 2001
Why?
Renewability & Public health
Bioprocesses are the hidden forces behind various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food production, and wastewater treatment, quietly shaping our daily existence.
Consider, for instance, the food industry, a powerhouse responsible for approximately 26% of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, within this challenge lies an opportunity for transformation. Take microalgae as our guiding light—an organism capable of not only thriving on carbon dioxide but also producing valuable lipids that can fuel our vehicles and offer a plethora of value-added products. It's a testament to the incredible potential bioprocesses hold in reducing their own environmental footprint and championing sustainability.
But bioprocesses are not just about industry and the environment. They touch our lives on a personal level, as we consume products born from these processes. Ensuring the safety of what we eat, drink, and interact with is paramount, as any oversight can lead to health consequences. And let's not forget the dedicated workers in bioprocess industries who face unique health risks due to their exposure to potentially hazardous conditions, demanding robust safety measures and rigorous regulations.
Beyond the immediate impacts, bioprocesses ripple through the environment, influencing public health. They can impact air and water quality, with industrial processes often bearing responsibility. The environment's health, in turn, impacts our own well-being and can even contribute to the emergence of infectious diseases, particularly when bioprocesses bring humans and animals into close proximity. Here, we emphasize the importance of environmentally responsible practices that safeguard not just the planet but also human health.
In closing, bioprocesses are an intricate tapestry connecting industry, environment, and public health. Recognizing this interconnectedness is vital as we endeavor to create a future that is safer, more sustainable, and equitable for all. Our lab, led by Minsik Kim, is dedicated to developing bioprocesses that not only serve the needs of the Earth but also prioritize the well-being of humanity, ensuring that the journey of progress is one where no one is left behind. Explore our work and join us in shaping a brighter, healthier future.
A process diagram of Kim's developed process in his doctoral study and its component’s renewability and toxicity.
How? By building multidisciplinary research fields including...
Bioprocess optimization
Estimation of the optimal point of bioprocesses using statistical tools such as PBD and RSM enables us to make certain bioprocesses feasible. We can leverage the optimal point for developing the process further.
A conventional bioprocess optimization method using statistical calculations. Kim et al., 2019
Process developments and intensifications can be attempted using the estimates of the optimal points. Kim et al., 2020
Techno-economic assessments
Furthermore, using computers, both costs, operational expenditures (OPEX) and capital expenditures (CAPEX), can be predicted. With TEA we can estimate the cost of the newly developed process without trial and troubleshooting.
Process diagram of glycolic acid production from microalgae. Kang et al., 2022
Metagenomics
Leveraging computers enabled deciding “who were there” (amplicon sequencing) and “what they were doing” (metagenomics). With a proper analysis pipeline and statistical model, we can select process parameters or target species causing significant differences in the system.
Network of taxa including pathogens, identified in a microalgal piggery wastewater treatment process. Lee et al., 2022
Differences of microbial community in different environments. Under preparation
Changes of microbial community by time observed for 5 years. Under preparation
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