Research

Modelling, Optimization and Control of Bioreactors

Genomic revolution in recent decade has resulted in availability of molecular level information about functioning of the cell. Our research focuses on utilization of such data for quantitative analysis of growth and metabolite production by microbial systems. In recent years, our work is focused on methylotrophic yeast, Pichia Pastoris, an industrially important recombinant protein expression system. We have investigated the secretion of number of growth hormones and developed a modelling framework suitable for engineering analysis of such systems. Microorganisms are often thought of as ultimate optimal machines and our research attempts to understand the growth behavior of microorganisms using the principles and tools of control theory.

Optimal design and control of fermentation processes is a challenging and dynamic control problem. Our research in this area focuses on developing computationally efficient algorithms, which combine the rigor of optimal control theory and advanced search techniques such as genetic algorithms. Our interest is to address optimal control problems, which are characterized by their multiple performance measures, such as, yield and productivity of the bioreactor. These measures are often non-commensurable and competing with each other.

Computation Fluid Dynamics has emerged as an important tool for understanding of mass-energy-momentum interactions in multiphase reactors. One of the research area of interest to us is extending the application of CFD to enhancing the understanding of biotic-abiotic interactions in bioreactors. We are investigating several systems such as anaerobic wastewater treatment processes and photo-bioreactors for algal growth.

Advanced Waste Water Treatment

Photocatalysis is an advanced oxidation process, which has shown to possess an enhanced capability to remove a wide range of contaminants from aqueous effluents. We are interested in using novel photocatalysts for inactivation of microorganisms as well as exploring the potential of photocatalysis in reduction reactions.