Biochemistry: combining the complex perfection of biology with the power of chemistry
Though relatively new, historically speaking, synthetic biology has allowed humanity to make enormous advancements in both science and engineering, simply by bringing an immense plethora of technologies, substances, and materials to the playing field that is the manufacturing industry.
Biochemistry has been no exception, representing an important catalyst (no pun intended) in the growth of the chemical field in general: through the introduction of unprecedented and completely unique molecules, many manufacturers of advanced chemicals and breakthrough materials have designed the substances that are shaping our future.
However, the most interesting side to this field is the environmentally-friendly aspect of everything related to it: raw materials in biochemical synthesis are not contaminant or toxic; neither fossil fuels nor solvents are involved; processes take place in mild, ambient conditions; and it never involves a race towards creating the highest temperature and pressure, but of allowing life itself to form under the most adequate parameters.
Bioreactors – or fermenters – are incredibly different from the chemical reactors we are most familiar with. Inside them, we can find an entire biological system within a typically liquid carbohydrate medium: cells are grown in strictly controlled conditions of temperature, pH, partial oxygen pressure (although this depends on the cells being aerobic or anaerobic), foam control, optical density, and mixer rate (rpm). These conditions are further controlled by probes, introduced into the medium to ensure the correct functioning of the bioreactor, and to monitor the process of cell growth within the vessel.
Bioreactors are expensive to construct, and plants based on biochemistry can be extremely costly. However, highly-regulated companies, such as those in the food and drink, animal feed, and pharmaceutical spaces have already found benefits in using this type of equipment in their production plants.
Yet, it isn’t the exclusive use of biochemistry that represents a modern solution to the challenges we have faced in organic chemistry – the most attractive aspect of biochemistry is the fact that it can be integrated into an existing manufacturing process line, allowing us to harness natural molecules and combine them with organic chemistries, allowing us to design improved materials, such as films, ceramics, coatings, and drugs. Companies in this space, many of them using automation and machine learning to help optimize their processes, are seeing great success in their endeavors, and are already helping create the smartphones, computer screens, and spacecraft materials of the future.
In short, through the merging of the impressively powerful organic chemistry field and the safe, advanced nature of biochemistry, the chemical manufacturing industry is already accelerating rapidly towards a new era – one in which technology will significantly add value like never before.
#Bright #Future #Organic #Chemistry #Bioreactors #EFMaterials #Blog
