Precision Fermentation

Basics

• The Process using modern Genetic Engineering techniques, and Industrial fermentation such as Deep Tank Fermentation to produce useful commodities
• Industrial Fermentation has been used since the dawn of large scale Breweries / Fermented Foods such as Soy Sauce or Garum etc
• The development of PLC Controlled Industrial Machinery, and Precisely Designed Yeast / E. Coli as well as downstream purification tech allows for all sorts of Commodity Chemicals / Precursors to be made using the same techniques
• MAIN DOWNSIDES ARE:
  • IP Hell; Some Genes/Proteins are Locked Down Via Patents
  • Initial Investment / RnD Requirements
    • Synthetic Biology is all the difficulties of Microbio and Software Engineering merged together, so even if you have genes selected, just getting them to "stick" and work can be difficult
      • CRISPR / CAS-9 make this easier, but still
      • Also while it CAN be done by the individual or small group, the level of gear needed really does better at Community and Up Scale
  • SOME Jurisdictions limit what all can be done by individuals / biosecurity risks are highlighted, so as always check with your local Authority Having Jurisdictions for compliance

Potential Products

• Synthetic Spider Silk
  • One of the more intriguing, and at a decently high TRL options
• Cow Milk and associated Dairy Products
  • This is WAY easier than Cell Culture Meat and also has more applications OUTSIDE of food
  • Milk, Butter and Cheese are the obvious choices, but also Milk Protein Concentrate / Whey Protein
    • Galalith / Milk Fiber / Casein Fiber / Casein Paint is an interesting application, that short of producing the casein without the cow was ALREADY a commercialized process in the past, and has been demonstrated in the lab/makerspace level
  • Project for later, but numerous companies have tried this, most have only made a PART, then blended it in a Plant Based Dairy Alternative blend
  • Having a BUNCH of vats each making a particular "part", such as the Casein, Milk Fat, Sugars etc, then blending all those may make an ESPECIALLY indistinguishable product
• Various Hydrocarbons especially if Modified Alagae are used
  • RE EForFuel and Product Extruding Algae
• It would be a bit of a moonshot project, and not the best way of going about things (vs healthcare reform etc), but Insulin is currently made this way, and Open Source Insulin is not IMPOSSIBLE, just difficult due to USP Certification etc