This project looks to develop a sustainable process for converting brewers spent grains into high-value nanocellulose. Brewers’ spent grain accounts for ~85% of brewery waste and in New Zealand around 14,000 tonnes is sent to landfill each year, generating avoidable greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, the material is rich in cellulose trapped within layers of lignin and hemicellulose layers. Spent grains are an underutilised source of biomass for making sustainable biomaterials.
Over the summer, the student will help optimise an enzyme-assisted extraction process to release nanocellulose from this waste stream. Unlike traditional chemical or energy-intensive methods, this green approach uses enzymes secreted by bacteria or yeast to liberate the cellulose. The student will compare bacterial and yeast secretion systems and test alternative enzyme combinations to see how these influence the extraction efficiency.
We are seeking a student who has a background in biochemistry or a related field. Throughout the project,the student will gain hands-on experience working with both bacterial and yeast expression systems, cloning techniques, enzyme purification and enzyme characterisation assays. This will build core laboratory capabilities and strong preparation for success in fourth-year studies.
Supervisors
Primary Supervisor: Kelsi Hall
Other Supervisor(s): Amy Yewdall
Application and funding
This is a UC Commitments Summer Scholarship research project. Emailed applications will not be considered. Find out more here: University of Canterbury Scholarship Portal - UC Commitments Summer Scholarship
Final date for receiving applications
25 September 2026
