Jülich Biofoundry

The Jülich Biofoundry offers a unique infrastructure for the automated development of microbial production strains. Advanced technologies such as robotics, high-throughput screening, quantitative omics methods and computer-aided strain design in combination with modern data science algorithms are used to accelerate the engineering of microbial producer strains, enzymes, and bioprocesses. By providing a state-of-the-art environment for researchers, students and industry partners, new scientific findings and innovations in biotechnology will become possible more quickly. As member of the worldwide Global Biofoundry Alliance, the Jülich Biofoundry enables to push the boundaries of biotechnology to create a circular economy and thus a more sustainable world.

Further Information: Links zu IBG-1; Biofoundry; MiBioLab.

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Scientific / Research services

The Jülich Biofoundry accelerates innovation cycles through automated bioprocess development and precise bioprocess characterization under production-relevant conditions. Using advanced platform technologies and extensive expertise, it optimizes microbial production processes. The focus is on market-driven solutions that promote sustainable and efficient biotechnological manufacturing processes.

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Scientific fields

The Jülich Biofoundry focuses on Microbial Strain Engineering to optimize microorganisms for the production of biochemicals, proteins, and pharmaceuticals. In Enzyme Engineering, biocatalysts are specifically developed and enhanced. Bioprocess Development utilizes automated high-throughput systems to optimize microbial production processes, enabling more efficient and sustainable manufacturing methods.

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Facilities / Instruments / Methods

The Jülich Biofoundry utilizes lab robotics for automated strain engineering and mini-pilot plants with BioLector technology for phenotyping and adaptive evolution. Parallelized bioreactor systems (200 mL–3.8 L) optimize bioprocesses. Advanced sequencing methods (Illumina MiSeq, Oxford Nanopore) and mass spectrometry (GC/GC-ToF-MS, LC-MS/MS) enable comprehensive analyses.

Facts and Figures: Since 2021, the Jülich Biofoundry is the largest robotic platform for strain engineering and bioprocess optimization in the German-speaking region. The Biofoundry utilizes automated lab robotics, mini-pilot plants with BioLector technology, and parallelized bioreactor systems (200 mL–3.8 L) for the efficient development of microbial production processes. Additionally, it features state-of-the-art next-generation sequencing technologies (Illumina MiSeq, Oxford Nanopore) and mass spectrometry platforms (GC/GC-ToF-MS, LC-MS/MS) for comprehensive metabolome and proteome analyses. Since 2024, it has been a member of the Global Biofoundry Alliance (GBA) and collaborates with RWTH Aachen University, the University of Bonn, and the Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf.

Partners / Cooperation / Networks

  • Global Biofoundry Alliance (GBA): Since June 2024, the Jülich Biofoundry has been a member of the GBA, an international network coordinating and standardizing biofoundry activities. This partnership facilitates the exchange of technologies and expertise to optimize biotechnological processes.
  • Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC): As part of this interdisciplinary research network, the Biofoundry collaborates with RWTH Aachen, the University of Bonn, and the University of Düsseldorf. The goal is to drive sustainable bioeconomy innovations through close scientific cooperation.

Contact

Dr.-Ing. Stephan Noack

Group leader of Quantitative Microbial Phenotyping

  • Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG)
  • Biotechnology (IBG-1)
Building 15.4 /
Room 308
+49 2461/61-6044
E-Mail

Prof. Dr. Marco Oldiges

Head of Bioprocesses and Bioanalytics

  • Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG)
  • Biotechnology (IBG-1)
Building 15.4 /
Room R 256
+49 2461/61-3951
E-Mail

Prof. Dr. Jan Marienhagen

Head of Synthetic Cell Factories

  • Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG)
  • Biotechnology (IBG-1)
Building 15.21 /
Room 5033
+49 2461/61-2843
E-Mail
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Further information can be found on the website of the IBG-1.

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Reference Publications

T. Rosch, J. Tenhaef, T. Stoltmann, T. Redeker, D. Kösters, N. Hollmann, K. Krumbach, W. Wiecher, M. Bott, S. Matamouros, J. Marienhagen, S. Noack (2024): AutoBioTech─A Versatile Biofoundry for Automated Strain Engineering, ACS Synthetic Biology, https://doi.org/10.1021/acssynbio.4c00298

D.A. Amariei, J. Tenhaef, T. Classen, et al (2024) Directed evolution of C-methyltransferase PsmD for enantioselective pyrroloindole derivative production, Catalysis science & technology, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CY00657G

Last Modified: 19.02.2025