Research Groups

Our research is focused on addressing global challenges of bio-sustainability, including sustainable production of food and feed, but also biochemicals and materials. We are developing novel bio-based processes where microbial cell factories are used to convert various waste carbon like food- and wood industry waste into value-added products.

Relying on the multi-disciplinary skill-set in our research group, we have established the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle of cell factory design and bioprocess optimization. We use advanced metabolic modeling for the design of novel cell factories; we develop novel synthetic biology tools for the more efficient engineering of cell factories; and use our lab-scale bioreactor platform for the process characterization and optimization. We are additionally utilizing the advancements of additive manufacturing to develop ’living materials’, which will improve biotechnology-based production processes.

By combining these approaches, we aim to translate fundamental science results in industrial biotechnology applications by constructing more efficient producer cells. Together with our global and local partners, we are developing the whole value chains in circular economy for the sustainable production of value-added products with minimal waste streams.

More information: https://bioeng.taltech.ee

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biotechnology, cell factories, circular economy, local substrate valorization​, synthetic biology, systems biology, yeast

Built of the logic and semantics and the formal methods groups (led by T. Uustalu and J. Vain), the lab conducts research into theories, methods and tools for developing high-assurance software, specializing on both proofs (certified software) and testing.

In recent years, applied machine learning became a distinct research area of the lab (led by S. Nõmm).

formalized programming theory, ​​functional and dependently-typed programming, software verification and testing

The group focuses on the biology of leukocyte activation and its regulation. The control of leukocyte activation is of paramount importance for health, both at
the steady state and during the immune response.

We have selected two families of regulators of which the immune regulatory functions remain poorly understood, the RGS (Regulator of G protein Signalling; main target RGS16) and the purinergic receptors (P2X main targets p2x4 and p2x7). We studied control mechanisms of leukocyte activation mediated by these genes in the context of two pathologies: multiple sclerosis and melanoma. We also followed comparative approaches to understand the importance of these genes in the context of the evolution of the immune system.

eosinophils, immune regulation, leukocyte activation, melanoma, Multiple Sclerosis, P2X4, P2X7, RGS16, SarsCov2

The research is broadly subdivided into three main interconnected and highly interdisciplinary directions focused on:

• hierarchically structured bio-inspired multi-functional composites including but not limited to electroconductive ceramics, functionally graded and anisotropic ceramic-based composites, mesoporous ceramics, nanofibers, graphene added bulks, ceramic membranes;
• tribology and high-temperature damage-tolerant composites for tribo-applications;
• selective laser melting and powders for SLM/S of ceramic-metal composites and AM of complex-shaped ceramic-matrix composites.

The team has several inventions keeping research at a high international level. The most influential are:

• a self-aligned fibrous scaffold for highly anisotropic cell cultures;
• a method for producing nanofibers composites by combustion techniques and products comprising thereof;
• fibrous ceramic networks and preparation thereof by selective laser melting; and (iv) ceramic complex structures by SLS.

additive manufacturing, bio-inspired materials, ceramics, chemical vapour deposition, composites, high temperature materials, mechanical testing, microstructural analysis, multifunctional structures, recycling, self-propagating high temperature synthesis, spark plasma sintering​, tribology

The members of the group have competence in development of analytical methods and procedures and use of these in analysis of different compounds and mixtures in complicated matrices. The group has good specialists in separation methods: gas and liquid chromatography and especially in capillary electrophoresis where they use a wide variety of detectors: electrical, optical and mass spectrometrical.

The group has also competence and means for supercritical extraction for a wide range of extraction parameters. The group has provided recognised results on development of porous materials – aerogels and these have been taken into use as adsorbents in analytical separation and catalysts in electrochemistry and water purification.

The aim of the present research is development and application of a variety of analytical methodologies (capillary electrophoresis, HPLC-MS, GC-MS) for analysis of different classes of compounds (banned chemicals, drugs, polyphenols, fermentable sugars) in complex matrixes such as environmental samples, body fluids, biomass and herbal extracts. The results obtained will be used to develop an expert system. Miniaturization of capillary electrophoresis apparatus is an important feature, which provides an opportunity to perform on-site analyzes.

antioxidativity, banned chemicals, biomass, capillary electrophoresis, deep eutectic solvents, ionic liquids, miniaturization, modified materials, phytochemicals, separation methods

The Creativity Matters IT Didactics Research Group is a multidisciplinary team focused on higher education IT didactics for engineering fields.

The main research areas are the use of:

• telepresence robots and robot assistants in higher education, health care, social welfare, and the service sector
• innovative hybrid and web-based teaching methods
• the integration of the STEAM approach into IT education.

Established in the second quarter of 2022, the research group comprises members from other TalTech structural units including Tartu College, Department of Software Science. Some Tallinn University re-searchers are also involved in the research group’s activities.

Webpage: https://cm.taltech.ee/

artificial intelligence in education, blended and online learning methods, human-robot interaction; robot assistants, hybrid learning, interaction scenarios for autonomous robots in the social and healthcare sectors, remote communication, social presence, social service robots, STEAM integration in IT education, ​​telepresence robots

The group develops smart biosensing functional materials to propose solutions with considerable potential impact on essential areas of human life such as environmental protection and medical diagnostics. By employing the molecular imprinting technology, the group designs and synthesizes polymeric materials so called Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIP).

The main benefits of MIPs is related to their synthetic nature, i.e. excellent chemical and thermal stability Associate with reproducible, cost-effective fabrication. MIPs can be easily integrated with a variety of sensor platforms including piezogravimetric, optical and electrochemical transducers and allowing label-free detection of a target analyte with high sensitivity and selectivity.

The group succeeded in developing the MIP-based sensors capable of determining sulfamethizole, amoxicillin, erythromycin as well as immunoglobulin G, neurotrophic factors (BDNF, CDNF) and viral proteins (SARS-Cov-2 nucleocapsid and spike proteins).

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chemical sensors, covid-19 express test, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, molecularly imprinted polymers, PoCT, synthetic receptors

The main focus of the laboratory's research is the valorisation of bio-based environmental resources in everyday and high-tech applications. The aim is to find sustainable alternatives to fossil-based polymeric materials by applying bio-based alternatives and recyclables.

The laboratory seeks novel ways to sustainably valorise cellulose by applying new, recyclable solvent systems, bio-based chemical modification reagents, and energy-saving technologies. New, bio-based or well-recycled solvent systems are used. The use of plant oils for the esterification of cellulose is being studied, and the technology of reactive extrusion is being developed as a synthesis medium.

The laboratory is the only one in Estonia that has the capacity to pilot electrospinning. By the electrospinning method, triboelectric materials and filter materials based on cellulose derivatives are developed.

The laboratory has a unique pilot production capability in Estonia in essential areas of polymer technology, such as hot mixing, extrusion, and injection moulding. Thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer composites with inorganic or bio-based additives are being developed to efficiently use secondary raw materials in the circular economy. It will be clarified whether and how different types of mineral waste, such as ash from electricity or oil production, can replace mined mineral resources such as limestone. Solutions are also being sought for larger-scale recycling of textile waste and lignocellulosic fibers.

Activities:

conducting studies at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral level.
conducting basic and applied research in the field of technology and chemistry of polymeric materials and biopolymers.
providing product and technology development, piloting and testing services to companies.

Virtual tour in the laboratory

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biopolymers, conductive polymers, derivatives of cellulose, electrospinning, filtering materials​, nanofibres, polymer technology, polymeric composites, polymers, reactive extrusion, supercapacitors, textile

The group performs R&D of electrical impedance spectroscopy measurement solutions.

This covers the developing and investigation of related instrumentation, signals and signal processing for several applications (including test and diagnostics e.g. in bio-, healthcare, medical and microfluidics areas, for metal, electronics and other industries).

eddy current, impedance spectroscopy, impedance tomography, instrumentation, real-time measurement

Mechatronics is one of the most dynamic technical trends in the world and represents the synergy of IT, electronics, optics, and mechanical systems. The research activities of the Mechatronics and Autonomous Systems Research Group are directed at the further development of the field. The Mechatronics and Autonomous Systems Group's research activities focus on further development of mechatronics and autonomous systems. Modern vehicles (including various electric vehicles, e.g., electric cars, unmanned land, and aircraft) also require energy efficiency optimization. The research team is developing several test platforms and digital twins to achieve this goal. The possibilities of combining real and virtual sensors with artificial intelligence are being explored to prolong the working life of vehicles and reduce the risk of failure.

Additionally, the main focus of R&D is the development of hardware and related software based on artificial intelligence for robotics and automation control systems and developing user interfaces for systems, sensing, and especially new machine vision applications. The emphasis is on industrial robotics and the development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UGV) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, as well as hardware-in-the-loop simulation and test systems.

The mechatronics and autonomous systems research group offer expertise, consultations, training, and research partnerships.

​design and control of mechatronic systems, digital twins, machine vision applications​, propulsion drive, UGV and UAV simulations