Domestication of microoganisms
Welcome to the research programme DOM – Domestication of microorganisms. We aim to decrease chemical pollution of the environment by generating new knowledge about how we can take advantage of special properties of naturally occurring microorganisms.
: Naturally occurring microorganisms have a big potential to reduce environmental problems by replacing chemicals used in crop protection and by degrading toxic substances in the environment. Examples are biological control of pests, biopreservation of feed and food, and bioremediation of polluted soil.: The goal of the DOM programme is to facilitate the use of microorganisms in environmental applications, by providing new knowledge about how to create products that are stable during storage, easy to use, commercially viable, and safe to producers as well as to the environment. : Our vision is to accumulate knowledge and expertise – both academic and commercial – that can provide support to the Swedish biotechnology industry. The ultimate objective is that during an 8-year programme period, DOM will transform into a ”Centre of Excellence” regarding the efficient and safe exploitation of microorganisms in environmental applications. : DOM is funded by the MISTRA foundation from 2003 to 2010. It is hosted by SLU and administered by the Department of Microbiology.
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Loading the freeze-dryer with samples containing DOM organisms. Freeze-drying is an efficient and gentle method of drying microorganisms for prolonged storage, but it is an energy-demaning process.The right pane shows yeast cells dried in a fluidized-bed drier. Phaffia rhodozyma (orange) and to the far right Pichia anomala J121 (yellow).
