MicroStar BioTech Inc.
CEO
Dr. Daniel (Shun Chung) 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 as well as an efficient mutagenesis protocol for generating mutants of 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, mutagenesis 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.