Question 1

What is the main aim of the project?

Accepted Answer

To improve the performance of mixed culture anodic (AEF) and cathodic (CEF) electrofermentation (EF) of xylose, sucrose, and glucose by optimising inoculum selection, electrode potential, and operational parameters, while exploring the potential of EF for industrial bioproduction.

Question 2

What are the key methodologies and experimental approaches being used?

Accepted Answer

Adjustment of operational conditions (pH, substrate mixtures, potentiostatic control), optimisation of electrode materials and their placement, identification of dominant microbial species, and use of labelled substrates and electrochemical tools.

Question 3

What specific hypothesis is being tested?

Accepted Answer

That optimisation of process conditions, microbial community, and electrode configuration can steer product composition and improve yields, particularly the ratio of acids with even and odd carbon chains relevant for PHA production.

Question 4

What type(s) of culture or model systems will be used to test the hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Mixed cultures and selected pure cultures grown on individual and mixed C5, C6, and C12 sugars in AEF and CEF systems.

Question 5

What are the expected outcomes of the research?

Accepted Answer

Understanding of how AEF/CEF of mixed sugars affects product spectra, identification of optimal conditions for improved yields and product selectivity, optimised operational protocol and EF reactor design, and a techno-economic analysis of the EF system.

Question 6

What are the main challenges or risks associated with the project?

Accepted Answer

Controlling microbial community dynamics, steering product composition, optimising reactor configuration, and translating lab findings to industrial relevance.

Question 7

Who are the key collaborators involved?

Accepted Answer

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA (UNIROMA) (https://www.uniroma1.it/en/pagina-strutturale/home)for identifying optimal reactor configuration and conditions using electrochemical tools, and labelled substrates; Solar Foods (https://solarfoods.com/)for testing pure cultures and conducting a techno-economic analysis of the optimised EF system.

DC1

THE SUPERVISORS

THE CANDIDATE