Associação para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento da FCT (NOVA.ID.FCT) is a private non-profit research organisation devoted to R&D&I activities and it is based at NOVA School of Science and Technology | NOVA FCT, NOVA University of Lisbon.
NOVA.ID.FCT is recognised by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) and acts as the legal institution of 15 research units (10 as Excellent), carrying out research work and managing R&D&I projects. This entity performs qualified human resources training, consulting expertise, knowledge dissemination and technology transfer activities.
In this project, the participation of NOVA.ID.FCT is through the Biochemical Engineering group (BIOENG). BIOENG is devoted to developing high quality scientific research in the areas of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology with particular focus on: Micropollutants, Biological Nutrient Removal and Recovery, Production and Characterization of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), Microbial Polysaccharides, Online Bioprocess Monitoring, and Bioprocess Scale-up.
The group has strong collaborations with Industry and Research Centres, at National and International level. BIOENG researchers have different backgrounds and expertise, and develop scientific activities at the Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit (UCIBIO), which integrates the Institute for Health and Bioeconomy (i4HB).
Role in ReLEAF:
- Leading the task on the optimisation of biopolymers extraction and production at lab-scale.
- Developing, optimizing and upscaling a bioprocess for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) using nutrient-exhausted sewage sludge and agri-food wastes as feedstock.
- Demonstrating PHA production for controlled-release BBFs by optimising, operating and monitoring a pilot plant with the upscaled PHA production bioprocess.