Dr Alun Hughes

I am a postdoctoral research scientist specialising in biotechnological methodologies to generate value-added products from various feedstocks, including energy crops, agricultural residues, and surplus from the food production industry. I have a proven track record of industrial collaboration, contributing to projects that deliver significant economic impact. I have been involved in various successful grant applications and have provided technical assistance to companies in the food industry, helping them valorise surplus streams and develop higher-value bioactive products.

My expertise lies in the development, optimisation, and scale-up of fermentation processes, particularly using mesophilic Lactobacilli to produce high optical purity lactic acid. I have extensive experience in fermentation biotechnology, operating bioreactors from 50mL to 50L scale, and am proficient in downstream purification strategies. I apply advanced experimental design methodologies to optimise multifactorial processes efficiently and have successfully scaled an optimised technology for the production of lactic acid from municipal solid waste from laboratory scale to demonstration scale.
With a strong background in comparative genomics and in silico genome interrogation, I aim to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying specific phenotypes in industrial microorganisms. My research also includes the application of molecular biology techniques for improvements to industrial organisms. 
I have a proven track record of industrial collaboration, contributing to projects that deliver significant economic impact. I have been involved in various successful grant applications and have provided technical assistance to companies in the food industry, helping them valorise surplus streams and develop higher-value bioactive products.