DSM Life Sciences and Genomics
DSM produces a variety of products, ranging from biomass (bakers yeast), enzymes for food and feed (e.g. phytase and xylanase) to functional food ingredients (Vitamin B12) and antibiotics (β-lactams). All these products are produced via biological production processes. DSM uses its successful PluGbug concept to produce this variety of products. The company is committed to the continuous development of its biological production processes. This includes the improvement of both its production organisms as well as the fermentation processes in which these organisms are used. Over the years technologies have been implemented in DSM's research organisation that have made it world class in its research area. Genomics is a powerful tool that can be used to speed up this research and make it more efficient. It is a natural follow-up of technologies that have over the years been introduced into DSM's research organisation.
The PluGbug concept
The DSM pluGbug concept goes back to the seventies when it was first developed. The rationale was and still is that a limited number of organisms should be sufficient to produce the majority of DSM products (enzymes, biomass, lactams). A limited set of organisms, the pluGbugs, was selected that should fulfil these needs. Important examples of these pluGbugs are given in the table below. The pluGbugs have been optimised over the decades for particular purposes. This has led to the development of high performing strains that belong to the best in the industry. Genomics is a technology that will speed up the further optimisation of these production organisms.
