Process intensification for the continuous production of alternative proteins

Title: Process intensification for the continuous production of alternative proteins

Abstract:

Optimizing equipment utilization in biotechnological manufacturing systems remains a central challenge during the scale-up transition from laboratory to industrial production. Substantial research and development focus on process intensification and transforming batch and fed-batch cultures into continuous bioprocesses with automated process control. At GEA, we have developed a perfusion system that allows for the continuous removal of spent culture medium from a bioreactor-driven cultivation process, enabling increased space-time yield for biomass and extracellular protein production. With separators already
being utilized in large-scale processing of proteins, the perfusion system is a readily scalable alternative to traditional filtration-based perfusion systems. We further explore how enhanced bioreactor process data, integrated with advanced process control strategies and predictive modelling, can improve equipment utilization by aligning scale-up more closely with actual process requirements.

Biography:

Laura Pasitka discovered her passion for bioreactor and bioprocess design during her B.Sc. and M.Sc. studies in biotechnology and bioengineering. Following her research in microfluidic cell separation at Linköping University in Sweden, she pursued her Ph.D. at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel, playing a key role in developing a cost-effective production process for FDA- and USDA-approved cultivated meat in collaboration with the start-up Believer Meats. The peer-reviewed publications resulting from this research have had a significant impact on the cultivated meat industry, driving both academic advancements and global strategic partnerships. In her current position as R&D Project Manager at GEA in Germany, she develops processing equipment and technologies for the biotech and cellular agriculture sector, with a particular focus on bioreactors. She actively pursues collaborations with research institutions and remains engaged with cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of this rapidly evolving field.