HYDROCOW

Milk protein is vital for nutrition, but traditional production has high environmental costs. Project HYDROCOW aims to create a net-zero carbon dairy protein platform using engineered hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria (eHOB) to convert CO2 and N2 into food-grade protein, like beta-lactoglobulin, without agriculture. The project employs a Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle to optimise protein secretion, supported by predictive models, genetic tools, and high-throughput screening. This platform avoids competition with human food resources, offering sustainable protein for food, materials, and therapeutics. HYDROCOW advances autotrophic microbial systems, contributing to sustainable development and innovation in protein production.