Our services in protein production and enzyme research solve global challenges in areas such as medicine, food production, material design and biocatalysis. At VTT, we study and express proteins in our unique production platforms, discover novel enzymes and other proteins and engineer them for diverse applications. We also offer lab-to-pilot scale protein purifications and versatile analytical methodology for monitoring enzyme activities.
Key facts
With VTT’s protein services, you can enhance productivity, reduce cost and achieve faster time-to-market.
VTT develops from-lab-to-pilot protein production for sectors such as food, agriculture, materials, biorefineries, pulp and paper, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
We discover novel enzymes, other proteins and production systems and develop them further.
Protein production and engineering opens a world of opportunity for a wide range of industries
Protein engineering allows us to create completely new proteins and tailor proteins for specific purposes. Protein production based on microbial systems can also provide an alternative to current, unsustainable production methods.
For example, we can use cell cultures to sustainably produce things like egg and milk proteins, thus reducing our dependency on traditional agriculture. Recombinant protein production can also be used to develop cheap vaccines, medicine, and different materials. We can, for example, speed up material production by growing silk proteins in bioreactors.
VTT at the forefront of modern protein engineering techniques
VTT’s work with proteins comprises of discovering novel activities, characterizing reaction mechanisms and improving properties through modern protein engineering techniques.
We have, for example, engineered a yeast strain capable of consolidated bioprocessing for Mascoma Corporation. It reduced the need for external enzymes by around 50%, resulting in a significant improvement in the economics of bioethanol production.
VTT’s long-term research partners include major global enzyme companies Genencor/DuPont and AB Enzymes. Together, we produced a recombinant enzyme at an exceptional level of 60 g/l in a protein expression commission.
VTT’s protein discovery and production expertise can be applied to anything from biorefineries to materials, food, feed, industrial enzymes, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper and chemicals.
Our world-class offering in development of protein production systems and enzymes
VTT can help you produce proteins and enzymes efficiently or advance your own production technology. Our services cover the entire development cycle from proof-of-concept to piloting.
Protein production:
- Protein production systems such as microbes, plant cells and plants
- Research to understand the molecular background and physiology of protein production
- Licensing of our microbial production strains
- Technology transfer of protein production systems and technology.
Enzyme development and applications:
- Comprehensive enzyme screening in bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi host strains
- Protein purification services ranging from laboratory to pilot scale
- Enzyme activity assays and physicochemical characterisations
- Development and engineering of new enzymes using combined wet lab and computational approaches
- Application testing, process development
More than 30 years of experience in protein production technology
VTT has extensive experience in protein engineering, expression and production system development. Not only that, but we also have our own proprietary technology for engineering proteins.
We are the leading research organisation in the development of filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei and Myceliophthora thermophile as production hosts.
In T. reesei, we produce native enzymes and recombinant proteins, develop molecular and systems biology tools, enhance productivity by strain engineering, investigate the host physiology, and optimise the fermentation process.
We express recombinant proteins and improve their productivity also in plants, plant cells, yeasts and bacteria. We also develop efficient, high throughput screening procedures in different protein production hosts for enzyme discovery and engineering.
Success stories
VTT’s efficient evaluation process led to the development of potent thermo-stable enzymes and enzyme mixtures for a wide range of feedstocks. Then, we used protein engineering to enhance the properties of the mixture components. Together with AB Enzymes, VTT is revolutionizing the biomass industry.
Outcomes:
- Significantly reduced enzyme dosages for total biomass hydrolysis
- Versatile market opportunities across different biorefinery applications
- Improved process of producing sugars from biomass.
VTT and Dyadic International have developed a new Myceliophthora thermophila C1 fungus strain for producing vaccine, medicine, and therapeutic proteins, including vaccine antigens and bispecific antibodies. VTT utilized its 30+ years of microbial research expertise to achieve this advance in molecular biology and bioprocesses.
Outcomes:
- C1 fungus – a robust and efficient platform for vaccine and therapeutic protein production
- Accelerated biological medicine development in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies
- Better, affordable medicines at a lower cost with reduced financial burden on global healthcare.
VTT and Onego Bio have developed a Trichoderma reesei-based microbial host to produce egg white proteins in large-scale bioreactors. The purified egg proteins can be used as ingredients in food products, thus reducing the need for animal proteins.
Benefits:
- High productivity of recombinant proteins in a large scale
- Significant environmental improvements to egg white production
Meet our experts
Here are some of our experts behind novel protein and enzyme production and engineering services. They can help you boost productivity while cutting costs.
Antti Aalto is the team leader for the Protein Production team at VTT, which develops and
optimizes various fungal platforms to generate value for customers and
advance scientific knowledge. Antti has a PhD in microbiology with over 20
years of experience in molecular and cell biology, pharmaceutical industry and biotech.
Kaisa is an expert in applied enzymology, with over 15 years of experience in the development of enzymes and enzyme-aided applications, in particular for biomass valorisation. She has a PhD in plant physiology, supporting cross-disciplinary understanding of interplay between biomass structures and enzymes. She is skilled in management of both industry-oriented and public research projects.
Arja has a PhD in physical chemistry and over 25 years of experience in industrial biotechnology R&D work. She has special expertise in surface active proteins and interfacial phenomena. In addition, Arja is skilled in project management, and for the past 7 years she has led the VTT’s enzyme and material biotechnology team, which focuses on enzyme discovery, enzyme-aided technologies and biotechnically produced materials and material components.
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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about protein production and engineering
What services does VTT offer in protein production?
VTT provides lab-to-pilot-scale protein expression platforms—including microbes, plant cells, and fungi—to support diverse industry needs.
What types of proteins and enzymes are developed?
VTT discovers and engineers novel enzymes and proteins for applications in food, pharmaceuticals, materials, biorefineries, and pulp & paper.
Which industries benefit from these solutions?
Sectors served include food, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, materials, pulp & paper, and biofuels.
How does scaling work from lab to pilot?
Services span from proof-of-concept through strain engineering, fermentation process optimization, and pilot-scale bioprocessing.
Can VTT customize protein systems for specific needs?
Yes. VTT offers genetic engineering, strain development, and licensing of microbial host systems to tailor protein production efficiency and yields.
This FAQ is written by AI and checked by a human.
How to work with us
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Contact us!
Tell us what you want to do, and we will figure out how to do it. After the initial assessment, we can proceed with one of the following options. -
Customised partnership
Every research case is unique, and we’re happy to tailor our services to your needs. We’ll take you from idea to prototype without hassle. -
Cooperative project
We frequently participate in research and development projects with multiple business partners and funding agencies. In cooperative projects the risk is split between multiple organisations and everyone benefits from the results. -
Technology transfer and licensing
We are happy to grant licenses to our IPR for the development of successful commercial products.
Dyadic and VTT developed a new production method for Covid19 vaccines
Dyadic and VTT have developed a more efficient and lower cost alternative to produce therapeutic proteins, vaccines and valuable metabolic products. The method is based on exploiting the Thermothelomyces heterothallica C1 fungal strain. The partners developed a new production method for a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus vaccine.
