MicroStar BioTech Inc.

Microstar Biotech Inc. (MSB) was incorporated in 1999 by Dr. Daniel Yang to develop a platform for the production of cellulases for the cellulosic biofuel industry.

Dr. Yang is a Biochemistry professor at McMaster University since 1988. He is a protein crystallographer best known for his work on ice-binding proteins (antifreeze/ice-structuring protein) from fish and plant as well as the bone-binding protein osteocalcin. At MSB, Dr. Yang applied his years of experience in the over-expression of antifreeze proteins and osteocalcin to the production of cellulases and other industrial enzymes.

The seven important technology assets of MSB are:

1) A highly efficient transformation technique that can place genetic materials at any chromosomal locations in Trichoderma reesei.

2) A strain of Trichoderma reesei (T.reesei MSB-12593) that has the growth phenotype of a typical wildtype Trichoderma reesei (e.g. CBS999.97) but with protein excretion capacity far superior to that of a typical industrial strain (e.g. Rut-C30). This is the result of years of research using molecular techniques such as genetic transformation and sexual crossing.

3) An automated solid-state fermentation setup for the production of proteins using filamentous fungi.

4) Various enzyme immobilization techniques.

5) A reaction chamber for continuous application of immobilized enzymes, e.g.

5a) production of lactose free dairy products;

5b) debittering of juices;

5c) conversion of oil to fatty acids;

5d) conversion of oil to biodiesel.

6) Various treatment/pretreatment protocols for the conversion of cellulosic materials to fermentable sugars.

7) Various anaerobic digestor configurations for the production of hydrogen and methane.


Contact Us

Microstar Biotech Inc.

65 Mercer Street

Dundas, Ontario

Canada L9H 6C7

Phone 905-962-5139

E-mail: yang@mcmaster.ca