ReActoB pioneers a new generation of biofilm reactors designed to make industrial bioprocesses more efficient, sustainable, and scalable. Instead of relying on traditional microbial suspension cultures, the project focuses on aerosol-based biofilm reactors (BRABs), where microorganisms grow on surfaces and carry out chemical transformations in a highly resource-saving way.

The project aims to:

• Develop an innovative aerosol biofilm reactor building on existing photobioreactor designs.
• Enable the use of heterotrophic and phototrophic microorganisms, alone or in mixed communities, for complex biotransformation reactions.
• Establish stable, productive biofilms and optimized feeding strategies for long-term operation.
• Introduce optogenetic tools to precisely control biofilm growth and activity with light.
• Demonstrate the concept using the conversion of cyclohexane into cyclohexanol, a key intermediate for the chemical industry.

By combining advanced microbiology, reactor engineering, and sustainability concepts, ReActoB will provide blueprints for future biofilm-based production systems. These systems are expected to consume fewer resources, reduce waste, and open up new pathways for eco-friendly chemical manufacturing.

With this approach, ReActoB contributes directly to the transformation of the chemical industry towards a greener, more efficient, and future-ready bioeconomy.