Laboratories : Case Study
TeeGene builds on organic growth
TeeGene Biotech , a spin out based at the Wilton Centre in Redcar , is developing innovative ways to extract high-value chemicals from algae , plants and microorganisms
Using its pioneering biotechnology TeeGene has found ways to develop biosurfactants ( which act like soap and help to emulsify different liquids ) from strains of bacteria .
Biosurfactants offer a number of significant advantages to their synthetic counterparts , and particularly their biodegradability , making them much more sustainable and cost-effective .
The range of potential industrial applications for TeeGene ’ s biosurfactants is huge – soap , household detergents , industrial cleaning products and paint production – to name but a few . One application being explored by TeeGene is an anti-ageing product targeted at the cosmetics industry . Other potential uses for the biosurfactants include oil spill recovery , reducing water pollution and food processing .
The man behind the science is Dr Pattanathu Rahman , a senior lecturer in Process Engineering and Biotechnology at Teesside University , who has spent the last 20 years in bioproduct development .
To take his pioneering research to an industrial level , Dr Rahman established TeeGene in 2014 . He then joined the iCreate entrepreneurs ’ initiative , a scheme backed by the
Wilton Centre and set up to help participants to become investment ready .
Boosted by a number of subsequent funding awards , including from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council , TeeGene has now created the first purposebuilt biosurfactant-focused facilities in the UK , boasting 1,000 sq ft of high-tech laboratory space with an advanced analytical and fermentation suite .
TeeGene works across three technology ‘ platforms ’. The first is focused on the production of biosurfactants via bacterial fermentation , the second is focused on waste water treatment and the production of biofuels via the use of microalgae , and a third platform is focused on plants as nanomaterial producers ( see panel on page 75 ).
“ It ’ s a very exciting technology with tremendous potential for applications in a range of industries ,” said Dr Rahman .
“ We want to develop the application area for which biosurfactants are used and branch into other industries .
“ We can also lease our platform out to enable access via a franchise model . This enables wider geographical implementation , allowing manufacture in other parts of the world , reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation .”
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