Bio-fuels and DNA vaccines: Bioprocess engineering approaches

Speaker: Dr Gareth Forde

Research Director, Bio Engineering Laboratory (BEL),
Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University

The Bio Engineering Laboratory (BEL) at Monash University is engaged in two main research areas: the creation of bio-fuels from algae and the development of bioprocess technologies for the production of a malaria vaccine. Whilst on the surface these projects appear to be very different, the core, underlying biochemical and bioprocess engineering approaches are analogous. The presentation will explore similar whole systems approaches to producing two very different molecules: renewable bio-fuels for the transport industry and pre-clinical grade DNA malaria vaccine.

The renewable transport fuel project integrates the biosequestration of flue gas using algae which is then used as a feed stock for bio-diesel and alcohol production. The main research thrusts are in the areas of algae dewatering and lipid removal. Advantages of bio-diesel include up to 78 % less green house gas emissions compared to fossil fuel sources and a sulphur content of less than 5 ppm.

Inadequate malaria vaccines have contributed to malaria becoming a major world health problem. For this reason, improvements in downstream processes for the rapid production of malaria vaccine would be highly advantages in the case that a plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccine is a viable immunization modality. The development of a rapid and commercially-viable purification process for malaria vaccine production requires a continuous or semi-continuous purification technique employing optimized stationary adsorbent(s) to allow high vaccine recovery, low processing time and hence high productivity. Additionally, enhanced delivery of the DNA vaccine is of primary importance for decreasing dosage size.

Dr Gareth M. Forde (PhD(Cantab), BE(Hons I)(UQ), GCHE(Monash), MIChemE, CEng, CSci) is a senior lecturer in the Dept Chemical Engineering, Monash University and research director of the Bio Engineering Laboratory (BEL). Having worked previously at the Cambridge Unit for Bioscience Engineering (CUBE), Cambridge University, UK, Dr Forde returned to Australia in 2004 to take up a research fellowship supported by VESKI (Victorian Endowment for Science, Knowledge and Innovation). Dr Forde works at the interface between engineering, science and clinical therapeutics with his main research areas being vaccine development, functionalized delivery particles and bio-fuels from algae.

Time/date : 2:00 p.m., Friday 18th July, 2008

Venue : Flexible Teaching Space, Chemical Engineering Building (Building location).

Refreshments served from 1:45 p.m. inside the venue

Please contact the Seminar Series coordinators if you have any queries regarding this event.




Phone: (02) 9351 5660