Syngulon’s research and development programs combine synthetic biology, microbial engineering and bioprocessing to develop and validate new technologies for biotechnology and health. Our projects span bacteriocins, antimicrobial technologies, microbial selection systems, fermentation, E. coli, yeast and other microbial platforms, and are carried out in collaboration with academic and industrial partners.
These programs contribute both to the advancement of Syngulon’s proprietary technologies and to the generation of new scientific knowledge, experimental validation and application-oriented know-how. The projects presented below include current, recent and completed R&D programs covering a range of microorganisms, technologies and industrial or therapeutic applications.
Current Research and Development Programs
Syngulon’s R&D programs focus on advancing its core technologies and expanding their applications through academic and industrial collaborations.
1. Selection technology in E. coli
Research partner: ULB – Prof. Laurence Van Melderen
Improve the robustness and long-term stability of Syngulon’s antibiotic-free selection technology in E. coli for recombinant protein and plasmid DNA production, with the goal of enabling continuous production.
2. Selection technology in other microorganisms
Research partners: Academic laboratories and industrial partners
Expand Syngulon’s antibiotic-free selection selection technology beyond E. coli by adapting the system to industrial production hosts used in biotechnology and fermentation processes.
3. Bacteriocins cocktails for feed or animal health
Research partners: Industrial partners
Identify and validate bacteriocin cocktails that selectively target harmful bacterial species, opening new applications in feed and animal health.
Completed Research and Development Programs
BREAKthrough
BREAKthrough is funded under Horizon Europe’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme
Research partners: UCLouvain (coordinator) + 8 beneficiaries and 7 associated partners (including Syngulon)
Period: 2023 – 2026
Topic: Breaking the barrier – An integrated multidisciplinary approach to kill Gram-negative bacteria through existing antibiotics by making their outer membrane permeable
CRITIC
BEWARE 2022 (H2020-MSCA-COFUND)
Research partner: UCLouvain
Period: 2022 – 2024 
Topic: demonstrating the potential interest of specific bacteriocins as a new therapeutic option against intracellular infections by S. aureus, in preclinical models
SKINCURE
Research partner: UCLouvain
Period: 2022 – 2026
Topic: PhD Thesis about post-modified bacteriocins against skin pathogenic bacteria
PROSECO
Research partner: Micalis INRAE
Period: 2021 – 2023
Topic: PROteases and SErpins to COntrol half-life of bacteriocins
ELITHE
Research partners: UNamur, ULiège, FytoFend
Period: 2021 – 2025
Topic: The ELITHE consortium is proposing a breakthrough innovation through the development of the first biobased elicitor for wheat cultivation.
BaCLEM
Research partners: ULiège, Süleyman Demirel University, IPGP, EXITCOM
Period: 2020 – 2023
Topic: Bio-assisted Closed loop recycling of E-Mobility. Metals from waste PCBs and Li-Ion Batteries
STOPPERSIST
Research partner: ULB
Period: 2020 – 2024
Topic: PhD Thesis about bacteriocins against persistent bacteria (UPEC)
RPR 2
Research partner: UCLouvain
Period: 2020 – 2022
Topic: Development of bacteriocins against drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Vibrio Cholerae
UK PhD thesis (2)
PhD Doctoral Training Programs: 1 BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) + 1 MRC iCASE (Medical Research Council industrial Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering)
Research partner: Imperial College
Period: 2019 – 2022
Topic: Development of bacteriocins potential for human pathogen control including AntiMicrobial Resistance (AMR) and persistance
STAPHCONTROL
Research partner: ULB
Period: 2019 – 2023
Topic: PhD Thesis about bacteriocins against drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus
EVOL-MODEL
Research partner: UCL
Period: 2018 – 2021
Topic: Development of an evolutionary system to increase the number and properties of bacteriocins and modeling of microbial consortia.
One of Syngulon’s scientists is hosted as an invited scientist in the laboratories of Dr. Chris Barnes and Dr. Vitor Pinheiro at University College London. This strategic collaboration with these top scientists will allow Syngulon to develop a unique knowledge of directed evolution of bacteriocins and modeling of microbial consortia relevant to the industry.
ERA CoBioTech – ComRaDes
Research partners: ULiège, TU Delft, Universität Stuttgart
Industrial partner: DSM, Centrient Pharmaceuticals
Period: 2018- 2021
Topic: Developing scale-up/scale-down approach to improve industrial fermentation.
This international program includes top academic scientists, Prof. Frank Delvigne (University of Liège), Prof. Robert F. Mudde (TU Delft), Prof. Ralf Takors (Universität Stuttgart).
Syngulon’s role for the ComRades project is to apply synthetic biology to streamline strains based on the needs of the partners.
OligoCar
Research partners: ULiège, VITO
Industrial partners: Lambers-Seghers, Fytofend
Period: 2018 – 2019
Topic: Explore the production of oligo-carrageenans in the industry (phyto applications and feed applications).
Production of recombinant carrageenases to generate oligo-carrageenan for industrial needs.
Syngulon’s role is to provide genetic systems of recombinant carrageenases compatible with standard industrial practices.
RPR
Research partner: UCLouvain
Period: 2017 – 2019
Topic: Development of bacteriocin-based genetic technologies applied to Gram-positive bacteria.
One of Syngulon’s scientists (Dr. Johann Mignolet) is hosted in the lab of Prof. Pascal Hols. This strategic collaboration allows Syngulon to have access to unique knowledge on the genetics of Gram positive bacteria, more specifically, their bacteriocins.
ALGOTECH
Research partners: UMons, ULB, UCLouvain
Period: 2017 – 2020
Topic: Algotech is an academic network built for optimisation of bioproduction with an emphasis on microalgae.
As one of the industrial partners, Syngulon has a strategic focus on the synthetic biology aspects of the network.
PARAGEN
Research partner: Tereos
Period: 2017 – 2019
Topic: Development of a unique library of bacteriocin genetic elements through synthetic biology. This library is organized by industrial application, and are made available to our partners to improve their microbial-based processes (i.e. avoiding microbial contamination).
To make this library pertinent for industry, Syngulon has built strategic partnerships with leading companies in the bioeconomy.
E.S.T.
Research partner: Gembloux AgroBiotech – Pr. Frank Delvigne
Period : 2016 – 2019
Topic: scale up of fermentation technologies for the production of recombinant products in E. coli.
Our bacteriocin technologies are aimed at improving industrial biofermentation production through increased product yield, contamination prevention. We work with Prof. Frank Delvigne from the University of Liège (Gembloux AgroBiotech) to scale up from the bench to industrial-scale fermenters.
Syngulon’s Research Programs are supported by:
Together, these research and development programs strengthen Syngulon’s scientific capabilities, generate experimental validation and support the continued development of technologies for biotechnology and health.
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