Congratulations to Prof Jhuma Sadhukhan and colleagues on a new paper that combines several areas of interest for EBNet members, including microbial H2 production, utilisation of waste feedstocks to generate high-value products, and tools for sustainability assessment.
The paper, published in Nature Chemistry, demonstrates a novel strategy for coupling cogenerated metabolites via biocompatible transition metal catalysis in living cells to create useful end-products; and uses quantitative Life cycle assessment (LCA) to show that such hybrid chemical / microbial systems can outperform electrolytic hydrogenation.
Prof Sadhukhan said: “This is an excellent example of how early-stage discovery sciences can benefit from quantitative LCA/TEA analysis, which forms an essential part of this work”.
Meanwhile the updated 2026 Report from the Process Integration & Sustainability Assessment WG led by Prof Sadhukhan is now available here and on the WG webpage. Updated reports from all of our Working Groups will be uploaded over the next few weeks.
Prof Sadhukhan is also Co-I on the C-Loop Sustainable Biomanufacturing Hub, co-Leads the ELEMENTAL Engineering Biology Hub; and is the UK Lead for the Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts. Look out for more updates on activities for all these projects and the PISA WG!
Native H2 pathways enable biocompatible hydrogenation of metabolic alkenes in bacteria. White, M.F., Trotter, C.L., Steele, J.F., Lau, E.C., Sadhukhan, J., Era, Y., Law, S., Gilman, J., Dennis, J.A., Johnson, N.W. and Gordon, R., 2026. Nature Chemistry, pp.1-9. doi 10.1038/s41557-025-02052-y
