Projects

Research areas:

Biofuels

To support net-zero emission target, scientists are developing clean bioprocesses to manufacture biofuels using renewable feedstocks from lignocellulosic fractions. These fractions, sourced from various agricultural and industrial solid and liquid wastes, contribute to a circular bioeconomy. In parallel, greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, can be utilized as part of bio-integrated carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS or BICCUS) technologies to integrate biofuel production with carbon reduction strategies.

Our research team specializes in engineering the metabolic pathways of robust microbial strains to optimize their accumulation of biofuels, with a particular focus on acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) blends. We leverage advanced genetic engineering techniques to enhance microbial uptake and utilization of alternative carbon sources, including lignocellulose-derived non-glucose sugars (e.g., xylose, arabinose, mannose, and galactose) and carbon dioxide-derived compounds (e.g., methanol, formic acid, and acetic acid). To improve process efficiency, we also develop tolerance engineering strategies to bolster microbial resilience against toxic byproducts generated during substrate pretreatment and fermentation. Additionally, we explore enzyme cocktail approaches to enable simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, further streamlining biofuel production.

Bioplastics

Despite the environmental impacts of plastics, these materials remain integral to various aspects of modern life. The most sustainable approach to addressing their impact is by replacing traditional plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene terephthalate, with next-generation options that are 'biodegradable', 'bio-based' (sourced from renewable bioresources), produced through low-carbon-emission techniques such as 'biosynthesis', and 'biocompatible' for medical uses. These "4Bio"-plastics include poly-lactic acid (PLA), poly-glycolic acid (PGA), poly-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), poly-hydroxyvalerate (PHV), and their copolymers.

Our research group focuses on engineering metabolic pathways in indigenous microorganisms to produce monomers such as α-hydroxy acids (e.g., lactic acid) and β-hydroxy acids (e.g., 3-hydroxybutyric acid), as well as polymers like PLA, PHB, and their copolymers. By employing enzyme mutagenesis and fine-tuning metabolic pathways, we aim to customize polymer properties, including chain length and monomer composition, to improve critical attributes such as thermal stability, mechanical strength, and optical transparency of the resulting polymer products.

Biominerals

Microbial-induced mineral extraction harnesses the biochemical capabilities of specific microorganisms to recover valuable minerals from waste. This process leverages microbial metabolic activities that modify the chemical environment, facilitating mineral precipitation. For example, ureolytic microbes can induce biomineralization by creating optimal pH or ion concentrations, enabling the recovery of calcium from mining waste. Similarly, this principle underpins the development of self-healing concretes, where bacteria activated by seepage water release urease, catalyzing the precipitation of calcium carbonate to repair cracks. These techniques not only reduce the environmental impact of the metallurgy industry but also promote sustainability in the construction sector.

Our research group specializes in enhancing microbial and enzyme-driven mineralization processes through genetic engineering. By modifying the urease enzyme in ureolytic microbes, we aim to boost its production and urea-binding efficiency, leading to more effective calcium precipitation. Additionally, genetic modifications enable us to improve microbial resilience in challenging environments and optimize the sporation process, which is crucial for stimulating urea secretion. This innovative approach holds immense potential for advancing the sustainability of non-renewable materials in various industries.

Funded research:

Ongoing projects:

Research Collaboration of Latest Research and Cooperation Potential on Net Zero Emission titled "Exploring Microbial Chassis for Bioethanol Production from Carbon Dioxide-derived Compounds and Integration with Carbon Capture and Utilization Technology" funded by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan (2024-).
Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development titled "Development of Integrated Bio-circular Economy from Food and Energy Estate Waste Fraction to Biofuel and Bio-chemicals" funded by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) (2023-).
Research Collaboration of Structural Biology Research Platform titled "Exploration of Lactate Dehydrogenase from Local Microbes as Biocatalyst for Antibiotic and Bioplastic Production: Structure and Activity Study" funded by LPDP (2024-).
Research Collaboration of Structural Biology Research Platform titled "Uncovering Molecular Mechanisms: Determination of the Structure of Urease Enzyme as a Soil Hardener" funded by LPDP (2024-).
Program House of Life Sciences and Environment titled "Metabolic Engineering of Bacteria for Producing Monomers of Biodegradable Polyesters" funded by BRIN (2025-).
Program House of Nanotechnology and Materials titled "Engineering of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) Monomer Composition Using a Combination of Substrates and a Mixture of Local Bacterial Isolates" funded by BRIN (2025-).
Program House of Energy and Manufacture titled "Synthesis of Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Cycloalkanes, and Isoalkanes as Components of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from Plantation Waste" funded by BRIN (2025-).

Past projects:

DIPA National Priority titled “Optimization of Microbial Lipid Production from Oleaginous Yeast Lipomyces starkeyi via Combined UV Mutagenesis and Cerulenin Screening” funded by LIPI (2020-2021).
Research Incentive of National Innovation System (INSINAS) for proposal titled “Development of Fiber Drink Products from Cocoa Shell Waste Based on Pectin and Citric Acid as Prevention of Diabetes and Obesity in Adolescents” funded by Ministry of Research, Technology & Higher Education of Indonesia (2019-2020).
Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development titled "Integrated Bio-refinery Strategy to Promote Biomass Utilization using Super-microbes for Fuels and Chemicals Production" funded Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) (2013-2018).

Collaborators:

Fundings:

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