Biochemicals

Research at the Renewable Bioproducts Institute at Georgia Tech includes focus on lignin and cellulose to create biochemicals – and on the processes to generate those chemicals. Our faculty is working along the value chain from the initial conversion of woody plant material into fiber, cellulose components and lignin, and into common precursor molecules such as sugars. We are working on technology and economic innovations in catalytic, enzymatic and biological refining processes. We are converting woody material into advanced, versatile chemicals and fuels.  

Fundamental research is enabling the engineering of new enzymes that can more effectively convert biomass into sugars and other valued chemicals. Research at the cellular level to modify the digestion pathways within organisms such as yeasts is driving advances in biofuels and biochemicals. And research developing novel catalytic methods is enabling conversion of sugars and biomass into other useful building-block molecules for plastics and feedstock chemicals.

At RBI, we are developing new process technology to increase the efficiency of existing approaches for making valued chemicals from biomass.

Areas of Expertise: 
Biofuels
Chemical Feedstocks
Lignin & Hemicellulose
Sugars

Biochemicals picture

Sven Behrens
Associate Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
sven.behrens@chbe.gatech.edu
(404) 385-8186
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Andreas Bommarius
Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
andreas.bommarius@chbe.gatech.edu
(404) 385-1334
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Yulin Deng
Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
yulin.deng@rbi.gatech.edu
(404) 894-5759
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Stefan France
Associate Professor
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Stefan.france@chemistry.gatech.edu
404-385-1796
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Christopher Jones
Love Family Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
cjones@chbe.gatech.edu
(404) 385-1683
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Andrew J. Medford
Assistant Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
andrew.medford@chbe.gatech.edu
(404) 385-5531
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Pamela Peralta-Yahya
Associate Professor, Strategic Coordinator for Bioindustrial Technology
Chemistry and Biochemistry
pperalta-yahya@chemistry.gatech.edu
(404) 894-4228
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Matthew Realff
Professor, David Wang Sr. Fellow and Strategic Coordinator for Biorefinery Systems
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
matthew.realff@chbe.gatech.edu
(404) 894-1834
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Elsa Reichmanis
Professor and Pete Silas Chair
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
ereichmanis@chbe.gatech.edu
(404) 894-0316
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Tabassum Shah
Research Coordinator I
Renewable Bioproducts Institute
tabassum.shah@rbi.gatech.edu
(404) 894-9710
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David Sholl
School Chair, John F. Brock III School Chair
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
david.sholl@chbe.gatech.edu
(404) 894-2822
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Carsten Sievers
Associate Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
carsten.sievers@chbe.gatech.edu
(404) 385-7685
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Scott Sinquefield
Senior Research Engineer
Renewable Bioproducts Institute
scott.sinquefield@rbi.gatech.edu
(404) 385-0241
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Krista Walton
Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
krista.walton@chbe.gatech.edu
(404) 894-5254
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Donggang Yao
Professor
Materials Science and Engineering
yao@gatech.edu
404-894-9076
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Xiaoyan Zeng
Research Scientist I
Renewable Bioproducts Institute
xiaoyan.zeng@rbi.gatech.edu
(404) 894-9988
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