Biomanufacturing Research Group

Our research group works with the newest technologies available to deliver more efficient, rapid, and cost-effective bio-derived products such as vaccines, mRNA, purification devices, and recombinant proteins.

Biopharmacy laboratory

From the laboratory bench within the University of Adelaide to industry-scale operations in partners’ facilities, the Biomanufacturing Research Group embraces the challenge of improving societal health.

About us

The Biomanufacturing Research Group specialises in manufacturing biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and mRNA therapeutics, with a focus on purification and downstream processing. Collaborating with a range of industrial partners, we drive innovation and optimise production processes. Our mission is to advance biomanufacturing, turning scientific discoveries into life-saving therapies and vaccines. The group is led by Dr Lukas Gerstweiler and Dr Sha Liu.


Biopharmacy laboratory

Current research and collaboration

We aim to solve real-world problems with a measurable impact and are actively cooperating and seeking industry partners and collaborators for research projects on biomanufacturing. Our main areas of research and current research projects include:

  • Virus-Like Particle (VLP) Technology and Vaccine Platforms

    Comparative Analysis of VLP and LNP-Based Delivery System

    Mr Xiaoyan Wang
    Primary investigator:

    Mr Xiaoyan Wang
    xiaoyan.wang@adelaide.edu.au
    Mr Xiaoyan Wang's Researcher Profile

    Project abstract:

    Delivery of nucleic acids through nucleic acid delivery vehicles for the treatment of tumours is one of the current emerging strategies for tumour therapy. Lipid nanoparticles offer improved in vivo gene biodistribution and pharmacokinetic profiles, rendering them a favourable approach for clinical trials. Concurrently, virus-like particles, in addition to the vaccine properties they possess, are gradually being recognised for their special properties as gene carriers due to their unique nanostructures. However, applied research in the use of virus-like particles as vectors for tumour therapy is still relatively limited compared to the research into virus-like particles as vaccines. To address these challenges, this project aims to investigate RNA-loaded virus-like particles as a potential nucleic acid delivery system for RNA therapy and cancer treatments. The project starts with developing efficient methods for packaging RNA into virus-like particles. Following this, the properties of virus-like particles loaded with mRNAs, such as stability and stiffness are explored. Then, cell uptake and cargo release, transfection, and translation efficiency of the virus-like particles and lipid nanoparticles are systemically explored. Also, we investigate and compare immunogenicity between lipid nanoparticles encapsulating an immune adjuvant and virus-like particles, intending to enhance the immune response in cancer treatment.


    Molecular Design and Stability Study of Self-assembled Chimeric Protein Nanoparticle Vaccine

    Ms Hong Luo
    Primary investigator:

    Ms Hong Luo
    hong.luo@adelaide.edu.au
    Ms Hong Luo's Researcher Profile

    Project abstract:

    Self-assembled protein carrier vaccines are considered a safe and effective type of vaccine, however, it is found in research practice that the inserted heterologous epitopes would often have a great impact on the assembly, stability, and other properties of the chimeric proteins, leading to failure in designing or difficulties in the downstream process. This study aims to conduct in-depth investigations on the influence of epitopes and insertion sites on chimeric proteins by experiments and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS), to guide more efficient and successful design of self-assembled protein carrier vaccines.

  • Continuous Biomanufacturing and Process Intensification

    Next-generation biomanufacturing: yeast-based continuous production of low-cost single-domain antibodies

    Mr Yannis Karavias
    Primary investigator:

    Mr Yannis Karavias
    yannis.karavias@adelaide.edu.au

    Project abstract:

    Biopharmaceuticals are continuously increasing their share of the pharmaceutical market. They can target difficult emerging diseases like cancer specifically. The downside is the tremendous cost associated with biopharmaceuticals like monoclonal antibodies. Changing from batch-wise production to continuous manufacturing can lower production costs significantly. However, continuous processing has mainly focused on mammalian cell cultures. Next-generation biomanufacturing using alternative hosts offers additional cost savings. Therefore, yeast cells are back in focus, due to their favourable characteristics for cost-efficient manufacturing. In this project, a continuous platform process with yeast cells is developed to produce single-domain antibodies as an alternative to mammalian production processes.

  • Downstream Processing and Chromatography Innovations

    Polysaccharide-based double-grid structure pore-size-adjustable materials

    Ms Manuella Cazelato Pires
    Primary investigator:

    Ms Manuella Cazelato Pires
    manuella.cazelatopires@adelaide.edu.au
    Ms Manuella Cazelato Pires's Researcher Profile

    Project abstract:

    Developing novel copolymers with double grid / complex lattice structures is the frontier of research direction in materials science today. The aim is to develop various high-performance functional materials based on accessible materials such as polysaccharides, and filamentous proteins, as well as efficient and low-cost solutions to critical problems that are being addressed by industry today, such as low-cost protein purification, and screening of high-value minerals (like lithium and industrial gases). Will also allow the development of cutting-edge high-performance materials for purification purposes, as well as have access to the development of other ultra-high-strength organic materials. The expression of various proteins from functional enzymes to small peptides, from laboratory reaction scale to industrial pilot production scale, will be applied post a purification method designed.

  • mRNA Manufacturing

    Investigating mechanistic and structural requirements for the formation of unwanted byproducts during in-vitro transcription

    Ms Cinderella Nowak
    Primary investigator:

    Ms Cinderella Nowak
    cinderella.nowak@adelaide.edu.au
    Ms Cinderella Nowak's Researcher Profile

    Project abstract:

    mRNA technology has come into focus as a promising alternative to conventional therapies, such as vaccines against infectious diseases but also against various types of cancer.
    However, there are also challenges mRNA manufacturing must overcome, particularly impurities, such as immunogenic mRNA byproducts, which cause side-effects in the patient’s body and pose a time- and cost-intensive challenge for downstream processes. 
    These byproducts are formed by the T7 RNA polymerase, an enzyme that synthesizes mRNA during the mRNA production phase, the in-vitro transcription. After all, the exact mechanisms of how and why they are being formed are not yet well understood. 
    Therefore, an optimized manufacturing process is necessary that results in the best possible mRNA quality to ensure the highest levels of safety and efficiency, as fast and less costly as 
    possible.

    This is what this project aims to achieve. By using different molecular biological and chromatographical methods the requirements for the formation of these byproducts should be fully understood. In addition, the analytical approaches for detecting mRNA impurities should be optimized so that their formation can be monitored in real-time.


    Integrated Small-Scale Manufacturing of mRNA therapeutics

    Mr Federico Moreno Sibaja
    Primary investigator:

    Mr Federico Moreno Sibaja
    federico.morenosibaja@adelaide.edu.au
    Mr Federico Moreno Sibaja's Researcher Profile

    Project abstract:

    Recently, mRNA-based therapies and vaccines have been revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry by providing unprecedented opportunities for the replacement of conventional therapies, due to features such as rapid vaccine development and precision medicine applications. However, there are several manufacturing challenges in the downstream processing, mainly mRNA instability and impurities, such as byproducts generated during In vitro transcription reaction, which are major bottlenecks for purification strategies. Therefore, effective, highly selective and rapid purification is required. Though chromatography is currently employed for mRNA purification, it faces challenges due to properties similarities between mRNA and nucleic acid byproducts. The aim of this work is the design, development, and optimization of chromatographic chips for mRNA therapeutics manufacturing.


Dr Lukas Gerstweiler

Engage with us

To discuss an industry partnership, consultation or general research enquiries please contact – lead researcher –  Dr Lukas Gerstweiler.

Honours/Masters/PhD opportunities

Please send an expression of interest enquiry to Dr Lukas Gerstweiler to discuss potential Honours/Masters and currently available PhD projects.