TU Darmstadt Leads International Consortium to Revolutionize Plasmid DNA Production

Under the leadership of Prof. Torsten Waldminghaus, the Faculty of Biology at TU Darmstadt is spearheading a new international research consortium titled “Vibrio natriegens as Auspicious Host for Plasmid DNA Production”. The project, funded with approximately €500,000 through the BMBF’s “Bioeconomy International” program, brings together experts from TU Darmstadt, TU München (Prof. Bastian Blombach), and the University of Western Australia in Perth (Prof. Georg Fritz). The company PlasmidFactory located in Bielefeld is a leading provider of plasmid DNA worldwide and joint the consortium as industry partner.

Plasmid DNA (pDNA) production is a cornerstone of modern biotechnology, enabling breakthroughs in mRNA vaccines and gene therapies. However, current production is monopolized by Escherichia coli, a versatile but aging workhorse with limitations in efficiency and adaptability. This consortium aims to challenge this monopoly by exploring the untapped potential of Vibrio natriegens, a fast-growing, non-pathogenic bacterium with nearly double the growth rate of E. coli.

The project will focus on optimizing V. natriegens for efficient pDNA production, addressing diverse plasmid requirements and paving the way for more sustainable and flexible biotechnological processes. If successful, V. natriegens could transform the field, offering a robust alternative for industries reliant on pDNA, from healthcare to synthetic biology.

This collaboration underscores TU Darmstadt’s commitment to advancing global bioeconomy innovation and fostering international scientific partnerships.