FACULTY

Renata Bura

Renata Bura

Associate Professor
Bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass; Biomaterials from lignin and plant components
http://depts.washington.edu/sfrbbl/

Office: Bloedel 344
Phone: 206-616-2179 
Email: renatab@u.washington.edu

Graduate Interest Group(s): BIORESOURCE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

B.Sc., Applied Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, 1997
M.A.Sc., Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 2000
Ph.D., Forest Products Biotechnology, University of British Columbia, 2004

My research focuses on:

  • Fractionation of biomass into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin
  • Bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass such as agricultural and hardwood biomass into biochemicals, including (1) robust pretreatment processes for mixed feedstocks (agricultural and hardwood residues) and Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) of combined streams (water soluble and insoluble; and (2) steam pretreatment and pulping
  • Improvements of hydrolytic enzymes for industrial applications
  • Role of accessory enzymes during saccharification process
  • High-throughput microassay evaluating enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass
  • Utilization of yeast and ethanologenic bacteria during fermentation of hexoses and pentoses
  • Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) for high sugar streams
  • Utilization of algae for biodiesel production
Courses Taught:Quarter offered:
BSE 190 Products and Renewable Energy (5)Summer
BSE 406 Natural Products Chemistry (5)Autumn
BSE 420 Pulping and Bleaching Processes (4)Winter
BSE 426 Bioresource Laboratory (4)Spring
BSE 497 Internship (1)Autumn
BSE 497 Internship (1)Spring
SEFS 550 Graduate Seminar (2-5)Winter
Current Sponsored Research:
A biomass flexible bioconversion of lignocellulose to ethanol: A robust pretreatment method for processing mixed feedstocks
Recent Publications:
Bura, R, Vajzovic, A and Doty, S.L. 2011. Novel endophytic yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain PTD3 I: production of xylitol and ethanol. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 39(7): 1003-1011.
Ewanick, S. and R. Bura. 2011. The effect of biomass moisture content on bioethanol yields from steam pretreated switchgrass and sugarcane bagasse. Bioresource Technology 102: 2651-2658.
Bura, R., Chandra, R.P., and J.N. Saddler. 2009. Influence of xylan on the enzymatic hydrolysis of steam pretreated corn stover and hybrid poplar. Acta Chiropterologica 25(2):315-322.
SEFS Committee Membership:Chair?
Elected Faculty PMT Committee