Program
Preliminary
Program:
The unique feature of IBPRO2025 is that it aims specifically for a high industry participation – by having 50% academic and 50% industrial attendance –, and a high involvement of early-career, young researchers. The stimulation of intensive discussions at IBPRO2025 is fostered by having several podium discussions, highlighting the industrial perspective. Moreover, colloquia and panel discussions about “Industry Careers”, and “Future Trends in Biocatalysis” will be held, involving industrial attendees who will give insights to the young(er) researchers.
The number of attendees at IBPRO2025 is limited to 200 in-person, with the possibility for online attendance of additional participants. Combined, this should allow overseas participation and stimulate intensive scientific discussions in a broader sense. IBPRO2025 will offer a unique quality to the attendees enabling a pleasant, intimate, and interdisciplinary working atmosphere.
The biotechnological production of chemicals is experiencing an increasing demand due to its high sustainability and economic advantages, and hence it lies in the strategic agenda of the Green Deal. In this context, the improvement of biocatalytic processes via material optimization (enzymes, solvents, surfaces) and the implementation of integrated cascade reactions (multi-enzymatic or chemo-enzymatic) are of high importance. IBPRO2025 will emphasize these topics from a fresh angle by setting up a cutting-edge program. The conferences will be held in Denmark for the first time.
The program of IBPRO2025 will be divided into four sessions, with invited speakers from academia and industry, oral communications, and poster sessions (online and in-person). The IBPRO2025 symposium will provide a distinctive opportunity for the presentation of new findings in Biocatalysis and Material Sciences focusing on the recent developments presented in four dedicated sessions:
Session 1
Enzyme discovery and design for industrial applications
Session 2
Heterogenization of biocatalysts with tailor made materials
Session 3
Intensification of heterogenized bioprocesses: from solvent design towards flow biocatalysis
Session 4
Out-of-the-box methods: future trends in biocatalysis
Time is given in Central European Time (CET)
Please keep in mind that details of the program might be updated and changed until the final program is released.
Wednesday – March 26, 2025
11:00 – 12:45
REGISTRATION with coffee and sandwiches and snacks
12:45 – 12:55
Group picture
12:55 – 13:00
Settle in conference room
13:00
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Prof. Dr. Selin Kara, Aarhus University, Denmark
Chairperson and Local Host of IBPRO2025
Prof. Dr. Lars Ditlev Mørck Ottosen, Aarhus University, Denmark
Head of the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering
Local Host of IBPRO2025
Den Gamle By, Aarhus, Denmark
The Team of Kitt Boding-Jensen, Vice Director – Head of Hosting and Storytelling
www.dengamleby.dk/
SESSION 1: ENZYME DISCOVERY AND DESIGN FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
Session Chairs:
Dr. Jessica Rehdorf (AB Enzymes, Germany)
Ariel Tijman (PhD Student, DECADES / University of Groningen) and
Katerina Margariti (PhD Student, DECADES / Leibniz University Hannover)
13:30 – 14:10
Invited Lecture (academic):
Protein Engineering Powered by Bioinformatics, Machine Learning and Microfluidics
Prof. Dr. Jiří Damborský
Senior Scientists & Group Leader; Loschmidt Laboratories, Masaryk University & Founder Enantis Ltd., Czech Republic
14:10 – 14:30
Carbonic anhydrase as promoter in Carbon Capture: Discovery of ultrastable enzymes, screening, improvement and applied biocatalysis
Dr. Io Antonopoulou, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
14:30 – 14:50
Cobalamin-Dependent O-Demethylase from Blautia sp. MRG-PMF1
Prof. Dr. Jaehong Han, Chung-Ang University, Korea
14:50 – 15:10
Poster Pitch Session (4 pitches – 5 minutes each)
Engineered Enzyme for Diagnostic Applications – UHTS with Pichia pastoris
Dr. Audrey Robic, Allozymes Pte Ltd, Singapore
Upscaled Cultivation and IMAC Immobilization of Arylmalonate Decarboxylase for NSAID Production
M.Sc. Jan Gerstenberger, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany
Biocatalytic Arene Substitution in Microfluidics as Sustainable Continuous Synthesis
M.Sc. Merlin Hauer, Leibniz University Hannover
Biocatalysis Under Pressure; driving reactions in a reduced atmosphere
B.Sc. Lisa Kennedy, School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, UK
15:10 – 15:40
Coffee Break (in hallway or poster session rooms)
15:40 – 16:20
Invited Lecture (industry):
Leveraging AI for catalophore-guided enzyme developments
Dr. Bettina Nestl
COO of Innophore GmbH, Austria
16:20 – 16:40
Process Development and its Significance for Sustainable Biocatalytic Route Design
Dr. Amin Bornadel, Johnson Matthey, United Kingdom
16:40 – 17:00
Alcohol Dehydrogenase in Deep Eutectic Solvents: Catalysis Across Hydrophilic to Hydrophobic Realms
Dr. Ningning Zhang, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany
17:00 – 18:00
Podium Discussion
Industry Career Perspectives
Moderators:
Chiara Falcini (PhD Student, DECADES / University of Seville) and
Frederik Vig Benfeldt (PhD Student, Aarhus University)
18:00 – 19:00
Poster Session No I – even numbers
19:00
WELCOME RECEPTION
Venue: Helnan Hotel, Aarhus
https://www.helnan.com/en/
Thursday – March 27, 2025
SESSION 2: HETEROGENIZATION OF BIOCATALYSTS WITH TAILOR MADE MATERIALS
Session Chairs:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Juan M. Bolívar (Complutense University of Madrid, Spain)
Ivan Perković (PhD Student DECADES / Complutense University Madrid) and
Niels Krabbe Johnsen (PhD Student, Aarhus University)
09:00 –09:40
Invited Lecture (academic):
Enzyme Immobilization: From Ugly Duckling to Game-Changer in Biocatalysis
Prof. Dr. Manuel Pinelo
Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Denmark
09:40 – 10:00
Biocatalytic chiral amine synthesis coupled with in-situ chemo-catalytic substrate production
Ph.D. Aurélien Doutry, Ph.D. UCLouvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium
10:00 – 10:20
Enzymatic Synthesis of Human Milk Fat Substitute by Immobilized Lipases: Role of Enzyme Carriers and Regulatory Implications
Dr. Alessandra Basso, Sunresin, China
10:20 – 10:50
Coffee Break (in hallway or poster session rooms)
10:50 – 11:30
Invited Lecture (industry):
Genome Mined FE(II)/KG Dioxygenases for the Synthesis of Non-Canonical Amino Acids in Drug Discovery
Dr. Erika Tassano
Principal Scientist; Novartis, Switzerland
11:30 – 11:50
Catalytically Active Enzyme Biomaterials: Formulations and Application in Flow Systems
Dr.-Ing. André Delavault, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
11:50 – 12:10
Intensifying Enzymatic Oxidation in Recombinant Cyanobacteria: Enzyme Discovery and Reactor Design
Dr. Lenny Malihan-Yap, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Austria
12:10 – 13:00
Lunch Break
13:00 – 13:20
Online Lunch Talk
Getting published in 2025 and beyond: How to adapt to a rapidly changing publication landscape.
Ruben Ragg, Editor-in-Chief ChemBioChem, WILEY
SESSION 3: INTENSIFICATION OF HETEROGENIZED BIOPROCESSES: FROM SOLVENT DESIGN TOWARDS FLOW BIOCATALYSIS
Session Chairs:
Prof. Dr. Andrés Alcántara (Complutense University of Madrid, Spain)
D. Alonzo Durante (PhD Student DECADES / Complutense University of Madrid) and
Andrea Puglisi (PhD Student DECADES / CASCAT)
13:40 – 14:20
Invited Lecture (academic):
Biocatalytic Reaction Intensification in Bioprocesses: From Waste Valorization to Platform Chemicals
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Juan M. Bolívar
Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Spain
14:20 – 14:40
Heterogeneous Biocatalysis to Empower the Development of New Surfactants
Ph.D. Helena Felby Rasmussen, NorFalk, Denmark
14:40 – 15:00
Flow Biocatalysis: Bridging Nature and Technology for Efficient Chemical Processes
Prof. Dr. Martina L. Contente, University of Milan, Italy
15:00 – 15:20
Biocatalytic applications in discovery, early and late chemical development
Fernando Tur Espinosa, AstraZeneca UK LTD
15:20 – 15:50
Coffee Break (in hallway or poster session rooms)
15:50 – 16:30
Invited Lecture (industry):
Biocatalytic Oxidations: From Screening to Pilot Plant to Sustainability Analysis
Dr. Martin Schürmann
Principal Scientist, InnoSyn B.V., Netherlands
16:30 – 17:30
Poster Session No II – odd numbers
19:00
CONFERENCE DINNER
Venue: Helnan Hotel, Aarhus
Music: Sloth Lab Band
https://www.helnan.com/en/
Friday – March 28th, 2025
SESSION 4: OUT-OF-THE-BOX METHODS: FUTURE TRENDS IN BIOCATALYSIS?
Session Chairs:
Prof. Dr. Jiří Damborský (Loschmidt Laboratories, Masaryk University & Founder Enantis Ltd., Czech Republic) /
Francesco Napoletano (PhD Student DECADES & Leibniz University Hannover) and
Katarína Kavčiaková (PhD Student DECADES & Graz University of Technology)
09:00 –09:40
Invited Lecture (industry):
Taking Nature to the Next Level – Enzyme Development for Industrial Applications
Dr. Jessica Rehdorf
Director New Business Development, AB Enzymes, Germany
09:40 – 10:00
Biocatalysis @ Scale: Process development in biocatalysis
Gunther Zimmermann, BASF SE, Germany
10:00 – 10:20
From Bench to Pilot: Using Techno-Economic Analysis to Drive Biocatalytic Process Intensification
Dr. Pieter De Brabander, Ghent University + 2 Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, Belgium
10:20 – 10:50
Coffee Break (in hallway or poster session rooms)
10:50 – 11:10
Enzymatic Saccharification at High Solid Loadings in an Oscillatory Flow Bioreactor using In-Line Product Remova
Dr. Philipp Petermeier, AEE INTEC, Austria
11:10 – 11:50
Invited Lecture (industry):
Engineering Enzymes for Cascade Reactions at MultiI-Tonne Scale
David Entwistle
Head of Chemistry at Codexis Inc; USA
11:50 – 13:00
Colloquium/Round table
Future trends in biocatalysis
Chairs:
Dr. habil. Pablo Domínguez de María (Sustainable Momentum, Spain) and
Dr. Lars-Erik Meyer (Leibniz University Hannover, Germany)
13:00 – 13:20
Poster Awards
Sponsored by ChemBioChem, ChemCatChem and Chemical Engineering & Technology
Best PhD talk award
Sponsored by ESAB
13:20 – 13:30
Closing Remarks
Prof. Dr. Selin Kara, Aarhus University, Denmark
Chairperson and Local Host of IBPRO2025
13:30
End of IBPRO2025
Sandwiches-to-go for your trip home
NON-SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM:
WELCOME RECEPTION (Wednesday evening): The in-person attendees will have the chance to join, and catch up with some snacks and drinks.
SYMPOSIUM DINNER (Thursday evening): We will hold our symposium dinner at the venue where attendees will mingle, and network with their peers while eating well.
PODIUM DISCUSSION ON INDUSTRY CAREERS: Career paths in biocatalysis are manifold! Please take part in this session where you can hear our invited speakers discuss with the audience the differences between academia and industry and how to decide on which path would benefit you. We will provide a space where you can directly exchange with senior mentors on various topics, including career choices.
LUNCH TALK ON “Getting published in 2025 and beyond: How to adapt to a rapidly changing publication landscape.”: This exciting lunch talk will be held by Ruben Ragg, Editor-in-Chief ChemBioChem, WILEY.