Life Sciences

Olsson Group

The research theme is to design and apply enzymes and microorganisms in a biorefinery context or in the fermentation industry. We work with a broad range of tools including bioprospecting, systems biology, cell factory design, fermentation physiology, biosensors, modelling, chemical and structural characterization of biomass. These different tools are applied to gain detailed understanding of the enzymes and microorganisms we work with and how they interact with their surroundings – in nature or in an industrial context.

Our work contributes to a transformation to a fossile free society, which engage us and we use our knowledge both in teaching and for societal benefit.

The research focus on:

Microbial robustness & cell factory design

Primarily yeasts are studied and metabolically engineered for production of a range of products including bioethanol, adipic acid, fatty acids and functional food ingredients. Microbial robustness has been conceptualized and tools for investigating and describing robustness with regards to quantification and intracellular monitoring (using biosensors). Fermentation physiology is an integrated part of the studies. The tools have been applied to sub population studies, evolutionary engineering and to gain insight to contamination issues in large-scale bioethanol processes . We also include the aspect of robustness in preparation of high-quality yeast cell biomass for health -related applications - like usage of probiotics.

Figure 1. stress robustness
Figure 1. Stress Robustness

Membrane engineering

We study the function of the yeast cell membrane with regard to transport of undissociated weak acids. The overall research question is how/if cellular tolerance towards weak acids can be modulated by membrane engineering. We use a combination of metabolic engineering targeting the cell membrane lipids composition, lipidomic, membrane modelling and studies of the supramolecular properties of the cell membrane in our studies.

Figure 2. Yeast Membrane Engineering
Figure 2. Yeast Membrane Engineering

Enzyme discovery & Functional characterization of CAZymes

In a collaboration with Vietnamese researchers, we explore the fungal biodiversity in Vietnam to find novel acidophilic and thermophilic fungi. By phylogenic and omics approaches we investigate the natural function of the filamentous fungi and their enzyme machinery. We have a special interest in studying LPMOs and esterases (such as cutinases and glucoronyl esterases) and functionally characterizing these enzymes.

Biomass and enzyme applications

Enzymes find numerous applications in biomass utilization and valorization. We study the enzymatic saccharification of mildly steam pretreated spruce and how targeted enzyme cocktails can improve the saccharification. 

Cutinases is used to valorize suberin in bark by releasing valuable fatty acids. LPMOs have been applied for their oxidative action in functionalizing CNCs. For these application studies the use of complex, industrially relevant biomass combined with biomass analytics and studies of the enzyme action are instrumental.

Biorefinery concepts & processes

Our enzymes and microorganisms are applied in different paths converting biomass to fuels, chemicals, materials, food ingredients and pharmaceuticals. With our engagement in Wallenberg Wood Science Center we contribute to the materials biorefinery. Furthermore, fermentation processes after enzymatic hydrolysis explore the sugar platform and carbon dioxide valorization use the gaseous platform of bioconversion.

Microbial electrosynthesis of alcohols

We study the use of microbial electrosynthesis for the development of an entirely renewable energy system by developing a new concept for bioelectrochemical synthesis of alcohols from CO2 using renewable electricity. The research focusses on developing and characterizing stable electrode bound biofilms for electrosynthesis, and optimizing the production of alcohols.

Publications

Group members

Alumni from Chalmers (not complete)

Ali Kazemi Seresht (PhD student, graduated 2012)
Anna Johansson (Industrial PhD student, graduated 2020)
Ausra Peciulyte (PhD student, graduated 2015, post doc)
Bettina Lorantfy (post doc)
Cecilia Trivellin (PhD student, graduated 2024)
Cecilia Gejier (post doc, researcher)
Charis Xiros (post doc)
Christian Marx (post doc)
Christian Thörn (PhD student, graduated 2014) 
Cyrielle Bonzom (PhD student, graduated 2019)
David Moreno (visiting researcher, post doc)
Elia Tomas-Pejo (visiting PhD student, post doc)
Emma Skoog (PhD student, graduated 2019)
Eva Albers (post doc, researcher)
Evangelis Topakas (visiting researcher)
Efstratios Nikolaivits (postdoc) 
Fabio Faria-Oliveira (post doc)
George Anasontzis (post doc)
Gupta Udatha (PhD student, graduated 2013)
Hampus Sunner (PhD student, graduated 2016)
Jenny Arnling Bååth (PhD student, graduated 2019)
Jeroen Martens (post doc)
Jae Ho Shin (PhD student, graduated 2021)
Katja Salomon Johansen (guest professor)
Lina Lindahl (PhD student, graduated 2017)
Luca Torello Pianale (PhD student, graduated 2024)
Magnus Ask (PhD student, graduated 2013)
Marlous van Dijk (PhD student, graduated 2021)
Maurizio Bettiga (Assistant professor, unrenumerated docent, visiting researcher)
Monika Tolgo (PhD student, graduated 2023)
Nikolaos Xafenius (post doc, researcher)
Paul Christakopoulos (visiting professor)
Pavel Piatek (post doc)
Peter Adeboye (PhD student, graduated 2016)
Peter Rugbjerg (post doc, visiting researcher)
Rakesh Koppram (PhD student)
Silvia Hüttner (post doc)
Sylvia Klaubauf (post doc)
Sun-Li Chong (post doc)
Valeria Mapelli (post doc, reseracher)
Vera Novy (postdoc ) 
Veronica Saez Jimenez (post doc, researcher)
Vijay Raghavendran (post doc)
Wissal Ben Ali (post doc)
Zhong-Peng Guo (post doc)

We thank all dedicated MSc students, BSc students and trainees that have contributed to the research in the group.