Industry PhD student tackling methane
When chemist-turned-biotechnologist Noelia Rubio moved from Argentina to Australia just before COVID, she didn’t expect her career to take her from studying microbes in the lab to designing solutions for one of agriculture’s biggest challenges: livestock methane emissions. Today, as an Industry PhD candidate jointly supported by Macquarie University and start-up Number 8 Bio, Noelia is doing research on a feed additive that could transform the way cows and sheep contribute to – or help solve – the climate crisis. Having studied chemistry in Argentina and worked in industry before moving to Australia, she has found in synthetic biology the perfect bridge between academic curiosity and real-world problem-solving. The results are already impressive: two patents have been filed from her work, with more in the pipeline.
Bridging the gap between industry and academia
At Australian biotech company Microbiogen, research scientist Sinead Robinson-Cast specialises in developing new strains of yeast for industrial applications. One of the company’s breakthroughs has been creating yeast that can grow without added vitamins, representing massive cost-saving potential for large-scale biofuel and food production. But while industry moves quickly to deliver products and meet deadlines, it doesn’t always allow space for the deeper scientific questions. Curious to explore the “why” behind the yeast’s unique biology, Sinead returned to university, undertaking a master’s research project and now a PhD focused on vitamin synthesis in yeast. The collaboration has benefits on both sides. For researchers, working with companies brings a reality check: big ideas must eventually stand up to the scrutiny of investors and customers. For industry, tapping into academic talent means access to bold, creative thinking unconstrained by immediate commercial pressures.
Recycling carbon with gas fermentation
What if we could encourage microbes to eat greenhouse gases being pumped into our atmosphere at alarming levels and create sustainable fuels, chemicals and materials instead? In essence, that’s what happening with companies such as the Centre’s partner LanzaTech, who are making headlines with innovative new products produced using their breakthrough carbon recycling processes. And it’s at the heart of research , led by the Centre’s Chief Investigator, Professor Esteban Marcellin, of the University of Queensland (UQ) node. Professor Marcellin is working closely with LanzaTech on a range of sustainable products from carbon-captured gases, as well as with Woodside Energy on sustainable products using gas fermentation.
Transforming waste into hydrogen
HydGene Renewables, a spin-out from Macquarie University, is transforming waste biomass into a valuable resource through biomanufacturing. By engineering microorganisms with synthetic biology, HydGene converts agricultural, forestry and municipal waste into high-purity, carbon-negative hydrogen. Their next-generation ‘biocatalyst’ technology eliminates the need for complex storage and transportation by enabling on-site, on-demand hydrogen production. Deployed in modular units, the biocatalyst material makes renewable hydrogen accessible to all regions. Backed by investment from Agronomics, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (Virescent), and others, HydGene is scaling up its manufacturing capabilities and partnering with key industries to contribute significantly to global decarbonisation efforts.
